FED rules here.

Nobody on base. Pitcher starts a windup and stops. Illegal pitch and a ball? Or nothing?

I am wanting to know the letter of the rule, not how many would call it. I probably let this go with a "don't do that", but I want to know the rule. FED isn't real clear. Can there be an Illegal Pitch without a pitch being delivered? I guess that is my question.

Well,
 

The FED rule is very clear if you go back to the Spring Newsletter in 1998.

The start/stop under Federation rules is an illegal pitch and FED says a ball should be credited to the batter.

Thanks Tim.