The Pitcher

All You Need Baseball

8.00 The Pitcher

8.01 Legal pitching delivery. There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position,
and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the
rubber. Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and
pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his
hands to his sides. Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign.

(a) The Windup Position. The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his entire pivot foot on, or in front of and
touching and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other foot free. From this position any natural
movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or
alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the
batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot. When a pitcher holds the ball
with both hands in front of his body, with his entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching but not off the end
of the pitcher's plate, and his other foot free, he will be considered in the Windup Position. The pitcher may have
one foot, not the pivot foot, off the rubber and any distance he may desire back of a line which is an extension to
the back edge of the pitcher's plate, but not at either side of the pitcher's plate. With his "free" foot the pitcher
may take one step backward and one step forward, but under no circumstances, to either side, that is to either
the first base or third base side of the pitcher's rubber. If a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his
body, with his entire pivot foot on or in front of and touching but not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his
other foot free, he will be considered in a windup position. From this position he may:

(1) deliver the ball to the batter, or

(2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick off a runner, or

(3) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher
must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or stretch position - if he
does it is a balk.

(b) The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his
entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his other
foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete
stop. From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the
pitcher's plate with his pivot foot. Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural
preliminary motion such as that known as "the stretch." But if he so elects, he shall come to Set Position before
delivering the ball to the batter. After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of
the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption. Preparatory to coming to a set
position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined
in Rule 8.01 (b) without interruption and in one continuous motion. The whole width of the foot in contact with
the rubber must be on the rubber. A pitcher cannot pitch from off the end of the rubber with just the side of his
foot touching the rubber. The pitcher, following his stretch, must

(a) hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and

(b) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced. Umpires should watch this closely. Pitchers are constantly
attempting to "beat the rule" in their efforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where the pitcher fails to make
a complete "stop" called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a "Balk."

(c) At any time during the pitcher's preliminary movements and until his natural pitching motion commits him to
the pitch, he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw. The
pitcher shall step "ahead of the throw." A snap throw followed by the step directly toward the base is a balk.

(d) If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be called a ball unless the batter
reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise. A ball which slips out of a pitcher's
hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. This would be a balk with
men on base.

(e) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher's plate by stepping backward with that
foot, he thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the
same as a wild throw by any other infielder. The pitcher, while off the rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes
a wild throw, such throw is the throw of an infielder and what follows is governed by the rules covering a ball
thrown by a fielder.

8.02 The pitcher shall not-

(a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the
pitching rubber.

EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold
weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand.

PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. However, if the pitch
is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put
out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeated
offenders shall be subject to a fine by the league president.

(2) Apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;

(3) expectorate on the ball, either hand or his glove;

(4) rub the ball on his glove, person or clothing;

(5) deface the ball in any manner;

(6) deliver what is called the "shine" ball, "spit" ball, "mud" ball or "emery" ball. The pitcher, of course, is
allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands.

PENALTY: For violation of any part of this rule 8.02 (a) (2 to 6) the umpire shall:

(a) Call the pitch a ball, warn the pitcher and have announced on the public address system the reason for the
action.

(b) In the case of a second offense by the same pitcher in the same game, the pitcher shall be disqualified from
the game.

(c) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire
that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the
batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is put
out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation.

(d) Even though the offense elects to take the play, the violation shall be recognized and the penalties in (a) and
(b) will still be in effect.

(e) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether any portion of this rule has been violated. All umpires shall carry
with them one official rosin bag. The umpire in chief is responsible for placing the rosin bag on the ground back
of the pitcher's plate. If at any time the ball hits the rosin bag it is in play. In the case of rain or wet field, the
umpire may instruct the pitcher to carry the rosin bag in his hip pocket. A pitcher may use the rosin bag for the
purpose of applying rosin to his bare hand or hands. Neither the pitcher nor any other player shall dust the ball
with the rosin bag; neither shall the pitcher nor any other player be permitted to apply rosin from the bag to his
glove or dust any part of his uniform with the rosin bag.

(b) Have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance. For such infraction of this section (b) the
penalty shall be immediate ejection from the game.

(c) Intentionally delay the game by throwing the ball to players other than the catcher, when the batter is in
position, except in an attempt to retire a runner.

PENALTY: If, after warning by the umpire, such delaying action is repeated, the pitcher shall be removed from
the game.

(d) Intentionally Pitch at the Batter. If, in the umpire's judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect
either to:

1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or

2. May warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate
expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager. If, in the umpire's judgment, circumstances
warrant, both teams may be officially "warned" prior to the game or at any time during the game. (League
Presidents may take additional action under authority provided in Rule 9.05) To pitch at a batter's head is
unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be_and is_condemned by everybody. Umpires should act
without hesitation in enforcement of this rule.

8.03 When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of each inning, or when he relieves another pitcher, he
shall be permitted to pitch not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to his catcher during which play shall be
suspended. A league by its own action may limit the number of preparatory pitches to less than eight preparatory
pitches. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time. If a sudden emergency causes
a pitcher to be summoned into the game without any opportunity to warm up, the umpire in chief shall allow him
as many pitches as the umpire deems necessary.

8.04 When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 20 seconds after he
receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball." The
intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly
to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should
instantly be penalized by the umpire.

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when-

(a) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make
such delivery; If a lefthanded or righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher's
rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick off play.

(b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw;

(c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;
Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a
pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before
stepping, it is a balk. A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base but does not require
him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps. It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the
pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on
first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first
and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in
practically the same motion "wheels" and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at
first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to
first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes
such a move, it is not a balk.

(d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose
of making a play;

(e) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch; A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one
delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with
no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

(f) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter;

(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher's plate;

(h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;

(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate, he feints a
pitch;

(j) The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual
pitch, or in throwing to a base;

(k) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball;

(l) The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box;

(m)The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop.

PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the
batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at
least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk.

APPROVED RULING: In cases where a pitcher balks and throws wild, either to a base or to home plate, a
runner or runners may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled at his own risk.

APPROVED RULING: A runner who misses the first base to which he is advancing and who is called out on
appeal shall be considered as having advanced one base for the purpose of this rule. Umpires should bear in mind
that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is
doubt in the umpire's mind, the "intent" of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne
in mind:

(a) Straddling the pitcher's rubber without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk.

(b) With a runner on first base the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw
to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.

8.06 A professional league shall adopt the following rule pertaining to the visit of the manager or coach to the
pitcher:

(a) This rule limits the number of trips a manager or coach may make to any one pitcher in any one inning;

(b) A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning will cause this pitcher's automatic removal;

(c) The manager or coach is prohibited from making a second visit to the mound while the same batter is at bat,
but

(d) if a pinch hitter is substituted for this batter, the manager or coach may make a second visit to the mound,
but must remove the pitcher. A manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when
he leaves the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitcher's rubber. If the manager or coach goes to the catcher or
infielder and that player then goes to the mound or the pitcher comes to him at his position before there is an
intervening play (a pitch or other play) that will be the same as the manager or coach going to the mound. Any
attempt to evade or circumvent this rule by the manager or coach going to the catcher or an infielder and then
that player going to the mound to confer with the pitcher shall constitute a trip to the mound. If the coach goes
to the mound and removes a pitcher and then the manager goes to the mound to talk with the new pitcher, that
will constitute one trip to that new pitcher that inning. In a case where a manager has made his first trip to the
mound and then returns the second time to the mound in the same inning with the same pitcher in the game and
the same batter at bat, after being warned by the umpire that he cannot return to the mound, the manager shall
be removed from the game and the pitcher required to pitch to the batter until he is retired or gets on base. After
the batter is retired, or becomes a base runner, then this pitcher must be removed from the game. The manager
should be notified that his pitcher will be removed from the game after he pitches to one hitter, so he can have a
substitute pitcher warmed up. The substitute pitcher will be allowed eight preparatory pitches or more if in the
umpire's judgment circumstances justify.

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