1. Objective of the Game
  2. Definition of Terms
  3. Game Preliminaries
  4. Starting and Ending Games
  5. Putting the Ball in Play
  6. The Batter
  7. The Runner
  8. The Pitcher
  9. The Umpire
  10. The Official Scorer

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8.00 - The Pitcher


8.01 - Legal Pitching Delivery. There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time.
(a) THE WINDUP POSITION. The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, the entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with the delivery of the ball to the batter commits the pitcher to pitch without interruption or alteration. The pitcher shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in the actual delivery of the ball to the batter, said pitcher may take one step backward, and one step forward with the free foot.
· NOTE: When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of the body, with the entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching but not off the end of the pitchers plate, and the other foot free, that pitcher will be considered in a Windup Position.
· EXCEPTION: (Umpires shall be instructed that the mere fact that a pitcher is shifting his feet to deliver a pitch and is not in contact with the pitcher's rubber shall not be grounds for calling an illegal pitch, unless in the umpires opinion the pitcher is putting the batter at a disadvantage by this action. Managers are urged, however, to instruct the pitchers in the correct and legal pitchers position and motion so that the youngsters do not form a bad habit.)
(b) THE SET POSITION. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when that pitcher stands facing the batter with the entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of the body and coming to a complete stop. From such Set Position the pitcher may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher's plate with the pivot foot. Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural preliminary motion such as that known as "the stretch." But if the pitcher so elects, he shall come to Set Position before delivering the ball to the batter.
· NOTE: The pitcher need not come to a complete stop.
(c) At any time during the pitchers preliminary movements and until the natural pitching motion commits that pitcher to the pitch, said pitcher may throw to any base provided the pitcher steps directly toward such base before making the throw.
(d) If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be called a ball unless the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise.
(e) If the pitcher removes the pivot foot from contact with the pitchers plate by stepping backward with that foot, that pitcher thereby becomes an infielder and in the case of a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder.
8.02 - (a) The pitcher shall not:
· (1) Bring the pitching hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in the 6 ft. circle surrounding the pitching rubber;
o PENALTY: For violation of this part of the rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball and warn the pitcher that repeated violation of any part of this rule can cause the pitcher to be removed from the game. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation.
· (2) Apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;
· (3) Expectorate on the ball, either hand or the glove;
· (4) Rub the ball on the glove, person or clothing;
· (5) Deface the ball in any manner;
· (6) Deliver what is called the "shine" ball, "spit" ball, "mud" ball or "emery' ball. The pitcher, of course, is allowed to rub off the ball between the bare hands;
· (7) Deliver a 'quick" return pitch.
o PENALTY: For violation of any part of this rule 8.02(a), (2 through 7) umpire shall: Call pitch a ball and warn pitcher. If play occurs on violation, manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire of acceptance of the play. (Such election must be made immediately at end of play.)
(b) Have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance. For such infraction of this section (b) the penalty shall be immediate ejection from the game.
(c) Intentionally delay the game by throwing the ball to players other than the catcher, when the batter is in position, except in an attempt to retire a runner;
· PENALTY: If, after warning by the umpire, such delaying action is repeated, the pitcher can be removed from the game.
(d) Intentionally pitch at the batter.
If, in the umpire's judgment, such violation occurs, the umpire shall warn the pitcher and the manager of the defense that another such pitch will mean immediate expulsion of the pitcher. If such pitch is repeated during the game, the umpire shall eject the pitcher from the game.
8.03 (a) - When a pitcher takes his or her position at the beginning of each inning, that pitcher shall be permitted to pitch not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to the catcher during which play shall be suspended. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time.

(b) If a pitcher is brought to the pitcher's mound directly from another defensive position without an opportunity to warm up or a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without an opportunity to warm up, the umpire-in-cheif shall allow the pitcher as many warm up pitches as the umpire deems necessary.
8.04 - When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 20 seconds after the pitcher receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball."
· NOTE: The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take position on the rubber promptly.
8.05 - A balk occurs when:
(a) The pitcher, while touching the plate, makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch and fails to make such delivery;
(b) Reserved
(c) Reserved
(d) Reserved
(e) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch;
(f) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while not facing the batter;
(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch while not touching the pitcher's plate;
(h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;
(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitchers plate or while off the plate feints a pitch;
(j) Reserved
(k) The pitcher, while touching the plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball;
(l) The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box.
(m) Reserved
· NO PENALTY: Any pitch or any action by the pitcher construed as a balk by the umpire shall be declared a no pitch. The ball is dead and no runner shall advance.
· NOTE: Any action by the batter or any member of the offensive team, including the coaches, that, in the opinion of the umpire-in-chief, causes a pitcher to commit an illegal pitch or balk shall result in the pitch being declared a no pitch. The ball shall be dead and no runners shall advance.
8.06 - The following rule governs the visit of the manager or coach to the pitcher or other defensive players:
(a) This rule limits the number of visits a manager or coach may make to any one pitcher or other defensive players in any one inning;
(b) A third visit during the same inning to talk to his defensive players while the same pitcher is on the mound will cause the pitcher's automatic removal from the mound but not the game;
(c) Reserved
(d) Reserved