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Originally Posted by RPatrino
DG, please explain the difference between (TOP) "time of pitch" and "when the pitch leaves the hand". In the case of my question, I was unsure if the rule implied that the catcher can't move until the pitcher has started his pitching motion vs. on release of the ball.
I called a balk this past season because the catcher, prior to the pitcher beginning any pitching delivery, moved toward second base and recieved the "pitch" in the vicinity of the top line of the left handed batters box. Of course the coach insisted it was a pitch out, and I told him I saw it differently. Maybe I was splitting hairs, but my thought process revolved around that if every catcher was allowed to move prior to a pitch and receive it 5-10 feet in front of the plate, then no runner would ever steal second again.
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4.03
When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory.
(a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher’s box until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
PENALTY: Balk.
(b) The pitcher, while in the act of delivering the ball to the batter, shall take his legal position;
(c) Except the pitcher and the catcher, any fielder may station himself anywhere in fair territory;
(d) Except the batter, or a runner attempting to score, no offensive player shall cross the catcher’s lines when the ball is in play.