[mick]

Originally posted by chiefblue86
I'd like to stick my two cents in here to both Mick and Freix.

First, MICK, you're right, being that it's Little League adds problems when it comes to things like balks and illegal pitches. (I don't believe, however, that Little League does in fact not allow a balk to be called. It's true the only balk that you would see called in Little League would be when the pitcher drops the ball while standing on the rubber. Of course, your league may have some special local rules that eliminate balk calls altogether). And while I don't pretend to remember many of the specific rules of Little League, I'm still certain that the OBR applies to your situation in this sense: since there was an illegal pitch, and since ALL RUNNERS INCLUDING THE BATTER RUNNER advanced one base safely, the play stands without regard to the illegal pitch. Period. (Read OBR 8.05(e), then PEANLTY following (m)). And Freix is correct---you do NOT allow the offensive manage to "decline the penalty" or accept any other option in this situation. Ever.

Now, on the other hand, if in your case the batter had hit a fly ball that was caught, or if R2 had NOT reached 3rd base as a result of the "Texas Leaguer" then you would have called time and enforced the "Illegal Pitch" scenario---which means you would enforce the balk rule in accordance with 8.05(e). That is, when there is an illegal pitch with runners on base, the runners would be allowed to advance one base and the actual pitch to the batter would be considered as a "no pitch"---that is, neither a ball nor a strike, and the batter would come back to the plate. (You must realize that even though Little League doesn't "do" balks, that doesn't mean that the consequences of the balk rule---advancing a runner because of an illegal pitch--- doesn't apply. It does, and it should. Otherwise, what would be the incentive for a pitcher to NOT deliver illegal pitches, even in Little League?

chiefblue86,
Thanks for your help and that does apply to Little League levels above 12 year-old.
Here is what Note to LL 8.05 says:

NOTE: There is no balk in Little League (Majors), Minor League or Tee Ball.Little League (Majors), Minor League PENALTY: The pitch shall be called a ball. If a play follows the illegal pitch the manager of the offense may advise the umpire of a decision to decline the illegal pitch penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely, and if all base-runners advance at least one base on the action resulting from the batted ball, the play proceeds without reference to the illegal pitch. NOTE: A batter hit by a pitch shall be awarded first base without reference to the illegal pitch.

mick