Legal or Illegal Pitch?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by scottbono

R3 is attempting to steal home;the pitcher steps off the rubber to throw home. The catcher reaches towards the ball and the batter swings at which he hits the catcher. Dead ball: Illegal Pitch, Award BR first and return R3?

Caution.

If he legally stepped off it MAY br OK.

But if his motion makes it look like a pitch he may have violated

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when --
(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher’s plate;