Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ
They do the same thing with pitchers working out of the stretch not stopping. I don't ever - EVER - remember a MLB pitcher being called for running through a stop.
Are all of these little exceptions in some secret little MLB umpire's handbook, or are they just verbally dictated by supervisors, or what?
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Actually, this one can be found right there in the rule book:
Rule 8.01(b) Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball. See Rule 8.05(e) Comment.
This was one of the rule changes of a couple years back.
You will, of course, still see balks for pitchers not stopping in the set position with runners on base. I've never seen these ignored.