Ruling

[3appleshigh]

This is simply a ball, if the pitcher goes to his mouth while on the mound, time is called and a ball is added to the count regardless of whether there are runners or not. THIS IS NOT A BALK. EVER in OBR.

Silly side note, this rule was enforced in the final game of the National Senior ball championships in Canada like 3-4 yrs ago, bottom of 9 tie ball game bases loaded, 3-1 count, Batter got the walk winning run came in. Oh and yes all heck broke loose. Would I have wanted to make the call heck no, I like the clean end of the stick, but it was the correct by the book call.