Expert: Martin Hoover - 5/7/2008

Question
Last nite an umpire in little league called an illegal pitch because the pitcher stopped his pitch in the middle.  He stopped because the batter had one foot out of the batter's box and was looking at his thirdbase coach so the pitcher didn't think he was ready.  Is this a correct interpretation of an illegal pitch.  I always thought in order for it to be illegal the batter had to be fully in the box and ready to swing.

Answer
Bridget,

In this case, depending on the level of play, I might warn everyone, or call an illegal pitch.

I can't give you a definite decision, since I didn't see the play, but usually, a batter needs to be in the batter's box completely to have an illegal pitch called.  However, there are some exceptions.

If in the middle of a pitchers windup, a batter moves out of the box, the pitcher can still deliver the pitch.  Remember, an umpire has to grant the batter time before he steps out.  For instance, in your situation, if the umpire had instructed the batter to step into the box, and he didn't call time before stepping out, then the pitcher can still deliver.

The pitcher stopping is an illegal pitch(per Little League rules), however, the batter stepping out without being grated time is also against the rules.  I probably would have warned everyone, and if I had any problem after that, then I would have enforced the penalty.

I hope this has answered your question.  Should you have anymore, please don't hesitate to ask.

-Martin Hoover