Batter Leaves the batter's box & HBP

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by nopachunts

The batter did step out with one foot

Exactly. With one foot.

by rule if the pitcher completes the pitch legally, the pitch is called a strike.

Read the rule again. Specifically, look for the words, "with both feet".

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Exactly. With one foot.Read the rule again. Specifically, look for the words, "with both feet".

MD,
If the batter steps out with both feet and the pitchers fails deliver the pitch, a strike is called on the batter.

1. If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box (a) with one foot or (b) with both feet or (c) holds up his hand to request "Time," it shall not be a balk. In (a) and (c), there is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher. The umpire shall call "Time" and begin play anew. In (b), a strike shall be called on the batter for violation of 7-3-1. In (a), (b) and (c), if the pitcher *legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live. Thus, two strikes are called on the batter in (b). If the umpire judges the batter's action to be a deliberate attempt to create a balk, he will penalize according to 3-3-1o.

In the bolded part, the rule states if the pitcher legally delivers the pitch, the pitch will be called a strike in either situatiion a, b, or c. Situation a is with one foot. That's what I am basing my answer on. If the pitcher did NOT deliver the pitch and the batter only stepped out with one foot, it would be a do over or anew.

[MD Longhorn]

Not the rule to which I was referring ... but ok.

That rule starts with:

If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box

This was not present in the OP. This part of the rule is to prevent a batter from stepping out and messing the pitcher up and CAUSING the pitch to not be a strike. Hence the awarding of a strike.

The OP did not mention anything along these lines. If the pitcher stopped or hesitated because of the batter stepping out, I would agree with you.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Not the rule to which I was referring ... but ok.

That rule starts with:
This was not present in the OP. This part of the rule is to prevent a batter from stepping out and messing the pitcher up and CAUSING the pitch to not be a strike. Hence the awarding of a strike.

The OP did not mention anything along these lines. If the pitcher stopped or hesitated because of the batter stepping out, I would agree with you.

I'm confused.

[RadioBlue]

I think the difference here is live-ball strike vs. dead-ball strike. If the pitcher hesitates because the batter stepped out with both feet (b), then we have a dead-ball strike. If (a) or (c) occurs, you have a violation by both the batter and pitcher and you wind up with a "re-do." If, by stepping out with one or both feet or holding up a hand to request time (a, b, or c), the pitcher is not affected and he delivers a legal pitch, that pitch is to be called a strike irregardless of the pitch's location and the ball remains live.

BTW, you cannot get two strikes on this play.

[MD Longhorn]

If the pitcher doesn't stop or hesitate his delivery, all you have is a pitch - none of these rules come into play. The very first sentence of the rule you keep quoting says, "If the pitcher stops or hesitates..."

The OP did not mention the pitcher stopping or hesitating at all... you're assuming the OP omitted something and then applying a rule where it doesn't belong.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

If the pitcher doesn't stop or hesitate his delivery, all you have is a pitch - none of these rules come into play. The very first sentence of the rule you keep quoting says, "If the pitcher stops or hesitates..."

The OP did not mention the pitcher stopping or hesitating at all... you're assuming the OP omitted something and then applying a rule where it doesn't belong.

Once again, I was relayed this situation so I am assuming the pitcher did not hesitate or stop and gave my opinion to that official.

I understand where people are coming from with this discussion.

Originally Posted by 6-2-4d-1

"If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box (a) with one foot or (b) with both feet or (c) holds up his hand to request "Time," it shall not be a balk. In (a) and (c), there is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher. The umpire shall call "Time" and begin play anew. In (b), a strike shall be called on the batter for violation of 7-3-1. In (a), (b) and (c), if the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live. Thus, two strikes are called on the batter in (b). If the umpire judges the batter's action to be a deliberate attempt to create a balk, he will penalize according to 3-3-1o."

My only issue is that if the "If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery" he cannot possibly "legally delivers the ball", correct? As currently written, this rule is poorly worded.

Therefore, I read this as almost two separate clauses (Note I took liberty and changed the wording. The following is NOT the current rule).

One clause:

"If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box (a) with one foot or (b) with both feet or (c) holds up his hand to request "Time," it shall not be a balk. In (a) and (c), there is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher. The umpire shall call "Time" and begin play anew. In (b), a strike shall be called on the batter for violation of 7-3-1."

Two clause:

If the pitcher, with a runner on base, legally delivers the ball despite the batter stepping out of the box (a) with one foot or (b) with both feet or (c) holds up his hand to request "Time," it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live. Thus, two strikes are called on the batter in (b). If the umpire judges the batter's action to be a deliberate attempt to create a balk, he will penalize according to 3-3-1o."

As currently written, I don't see how the first part can coincident with the second part and make sense.

-Josh