Illegal pitch? Ball awarded?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by BEAREF

Now read Rule 6-1-4 “…..Each legal pitch shall be declared by the umpire as a strike, ball, fair or foul hit or dead ball. A pitch dropped during delivery and which crosses a foul line shall be called a ball. Otherwise, it will be called a no pitch….”

Since there was not a thrown ball that crossed a foul line shouldn't it be called a no pitch?

This is what a clinician from our state told me when I asked him the question. "No pitch. It can’t be a ball since the pitch (that didn’t happen) didn’t cross a foul line. This happens quite frequently (relatively speaking) at the Major League level. No big deal. Just start over. Who was harmed by it? Nobody…"

I think in the Definition of a pitch NFHS, it states that when a IP is made, "it is not considered a pitch" because the ball became dead at the time of the infraction. The Penalty is a ball or balk (whatever the case may be). But it is definitely NOT a Pitch.

[David Emerling]

The reason I asked the question (OP), is because I have always known, technically, that the batter is awarded a ball (the penalty for an illegal pitch with no runners on base) but no umpire in our area makes this call; nor do the coaches expect it to be made. I guess it's kind of a regional thing. I was wondering if that was also the case in other parts of the country.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by jicecone

I think in the Definition of a pitch NFHS, it states that when a IP is made, "it is not considered a pitch" because the ball became dead at the time of the infraction. The Penalty is a ball or balk (whatever the case may be). But it is definitely NOT a Pitch.

You're right. An illegal pitch is an act by the pitcher which causes a ball to be added to the count (no runners). I'm glad no coach around here knows this. I don't call it either.

[asdf]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

I'm glad no coach around here knows this. I don't call it either.

So when you encounter one that does, do you tell him that you don't call it?

[charliej47]

Here in South-West Ohio, I've called this about 3 time in 25 yrs of high school umpiring.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by charliej47

Here in South-West Ohio, I've called this about 3 time in 25 yrs of high school umpiring.

Is that because in 25 years, only 3 times has the pitcher, with no runners on base, aborted his delivery for one reason or another? Or, has it actually happened numerous times, but you only chose to invoke the rule 3 times?

I'd have to say that this happens to me, at a minimum, once per year. Sometimes more frequently. My experience is that it's not all that rare.

[charliej47]

I'm saying that there are a lot of reasons for an aborted pitch, but I've only seen it three times where it was callable.

I've seen times when the pitcher falls or gets to dance with bees or something like that. I've seen dust swirls that cause the pitcher to stop. I've always treated these instances as "do-overs".

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by charliej47

Here in South-West Ohio, I've called this about 3 time in 25 yrs of high school umpiring.

wow. I've seen it once in the past 20 years. I did call it. Both sides murmured that it was the right call.

[CT1]

If all the participants are willing to accept a "do-over" as the correct result, who am I to say differently?

[Mrumpiresir]

Originally Posted by CT1

If all the participants are willing to accept a "do-over" as the correct result, who am I to say differently?

You are the umpire charged with enforcing the rules.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CT1

If all the participants are willing to accept a "do-over" as the correct result, who am I to say differently?

If all the prison inmates are willing to accept "let us all out" as the correct result, who is the warden to say otherwise?

[charliej47]

Originally Posted by CT1

If all the participants are willing to accept a "do-over" as the correct result, who am I to say differently?

There is a definition in the FED rules that cover my stated "do-overs". The Ohio State Rules interpreter covered them some years ago and I questioned Kyle about these incidents at the state required meeting and he outlined them very well. He discussed the dust and insects and also falling because of poor ground conditions.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

wow. I've seen it once in the past 20 years. I did call it. Both sides murmured that it was the right call.

Seriously - you've only seen a pitcher begin his delivery and not complete it (with no runners on base) only once in the past 20 years?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

Seriously - you've only seen a pitcher begin his delivery and not complete it (with no runners on base) only once in the past 20 years?

Yes (well -- not counting times that time had been called, or the batter "induced" the stoppage, etc.)