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Originally Posted by jxt127
I would not call a balk. The ball is dead on a directed strike. No runner may advance.
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Not a true statement. The ball remains alive and in play (runners may advance at their own risk) UNLESS the batter hits the directed pitch, in which case the ball becomes dead, the strike counts, and any baserunning advance is nullified.
The pitcher is ordered to "pitch." There is no mention that pitching regulations do not apply.
That having been said, I would be at least as lenient as on an intentional walk.