Not the rule to which I was referring ... but ok.
That rule starts with:
Quote:
|
If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box
|
This was not present in the OP. This part of the rule is to prevent a batter from stepping out and messing the pitcher up and CAUSING the pitch to not be a strike. Hence the awarding of a strike.
The OP did not mention anything along these lines. If the pitcher stopped or hesitated because of the batter stepping out, I would agree with you.