Balks and hit by batted ball...

[David B]

Originally posted by Rbn3
Official Rules:

8.01
Legal pitching delivery. There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the rubber. Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides.

As Bob said there is no penalty listed.

Its dangerous to take the rules as they state.

By the above the pitcher when he steps back would have to drop his hands to his side, then he could make a move to a base etc.,

How would a pitcher make a quick move to a base, since he must drop his hands first.

We have to read the rules in the context of the paragraph, and in above they are discussing the quick pitch.

Thanks
David