Quote:
Originally posted by MPC
SCYGUY,
I had a similar play last week in a h.s. game with two bitter cross town rivals. Top of 5th, R3, 1 out, pitcher from stretch. Runner breaks for home just prior to P starting his motion home. RHanded Batter squares to attempt the squeeze. Catcher stands up and jumps out into the LH Batters Box prior to the release at the time of the pitch. Batter steps in front of plate and trys to bunt the ball that is 4-5 outside. Catcher catches it and attempts to put the tag on the runner but has to go thru the Batter.
Meanwhile I'm walking out from behind the plate with hands up and time. "Balk, Catcher was out of the box at the time of the pitch. No Pitch, No play, That run scores." Visitors win 1-0.
Coach trys to argue batter out of the box. Doesn't matter. Then tries to argue interference on batter with the attempt to make a play on R3. Doesn't matter since there was no malicious contact. Play was dead at the time of the pitch because of the illegal pitch/balk.
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"prior to release at time of pitch" This is the part I don't understand. If the catcher was out of the box before TOP then the balk is on the pitcher. If catcher moved outside the catcher's box after TOP then no balk and we have play at the plate to rule on, as well as a pitch to call (first item). Release of the pitch has nothing to do with anything. There might be a second or so between TOP and release of the pitch.