Legal or Illegal Pitch?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by SAump

Something fishy about a pitcher stepping off and then throwing home.
Are you going to take away a hit if the catcher isn't touched?
Are we then going to call balk?

The pitcher's status may legally change to fielder, but does the batter's status change to observer?
I would like to see a rule or case play that states the batter must recognize the pitcher as a fielder and that any attempt he makes to hit the ball shall be ruled interference.
Not the way the game is supposed to be played.

By design, any throw home from the mound simulates a pitch.
The pitcher can legally throw to any other base and the batter can't do a thing.
If the pitcher threw home while disengaged from the rubber, illegal pitch, BALK.
JMHO until I see something realistic, like perhaps, ONE example where this situation occurred in a real ballgame.
Please hurry, I can't wait for this investigation to conclude.

Wow. ....................

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SAump

Why not balk, award R3 home and allow batter to resume with previous count?

I'd love to spend the time answering all this, with references, but to be honest, a little while I go, the missus and I went out into the hot tub with an excellent bottle of Syrah and the last thing I want to do right now is spend what little concentration skills I have left on supplying you with information you could find yourself.

Good night.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by SAump

Yeah, this is the first time I ever heard of a pitcher stepping off and delivering a "throw" before a runner stole home.

YGBSM. . .

[GarthB]

SAUmp wrote: "Yeah, this is the first time I ever heard of a pitcher stepping off and delivering a "throw" before a runner stole home."

Another reason to invest in Evans' balk video. He demonstrates in detail when this move is legal and when it is a balk.

It's not too often that the pitcher would have the presence of mind to step off before throwing. Kudos to him. The catcher got lucky in that the batter obviously didn't hit him too hard with the bat otherwise it could have been a disaster - broken bones, cracked skull, etc.

The end result is what the defense wanted - an out... unconventional but nevertheless an out.