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Thanks, John.
Here's the rule along with the professional interpretation that you're looking for.
5.09(h)
The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when any legal pitch touches a runner trying to score; runners advance.
Professional Interpretation:
Key to this rule is the term "legal pitch." Oftentimes when a pitcher sees a runner attempting to steal or especially when he is caught by surprise, he will quick pitch. This, of course, is an illegal pitch and ruled a balk with runner/s on base. In other cases, the pitcher may be off the rubber when he delivers. The umpire must be alert as to whether he properly disengaged or he balked in so doing. If he properly disengaged and the “thrown” ball (not pitched ball) strikes the runner, the ball remains alive and in play. As a matter of fact, it is critical that the umpire be very alert to determine whether or not the batter interferes with a thrown ball or a play at home. If other runners were on base when a legal pitch struck the runner trying to score, the ball would be ruled dead and each runner would advance. Of course, if the pitch were in the strike zone when it touched the runner and there were two strikes, the batter would be out; but the run would score in accordance with Rule 6.05(n). With 2 outs in this situation, no run would score.
Tim.
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