Expert: Martin Hoover - 5/30/2008

Question
dual question.  11-12 boys LL baseball
A.  In little league were there is no balks, just illegal pitches, which results in a dead ball and a ball being called on a batter.  IE...The pitcher winds up and acts as though he is pitching, but never releases the ball.  Results, dead ball, 1-0 count.  Is it acceptable for a def. team to do this to batter on four consecutive pitches? (and only one batter on three different plate appearances)
B.  If a team is pitching around a batter for an intentional walk and throws outside where the batter cant hit the ball, but the batter swings anyway to work a pitch count to 3-2?  Is this acceptable?

Answer
William,

A.
Please keep in mind that an illegal pitch IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC DEAD BALL.  Illegal pitches are delayed dead balls, because if the pitcher delivered the illegal pitch, and the batter hits the ball, then the offensive manager gets to decided whether they want the penalty or the result of the play.

In your situation, I would call an illegal pitch the first time when the pitcher did not deliver the pitch, on the second pitch, I would warn the manager, if they are stupid enough to try it a third time, then the pitcher and manager are getting ejected.  It is not acceptable.

B.
The batter can swing at any pitch.  However, please remember that if the batter swings, and makes contact with his foot (or feet), completely out of the batters box, then it is an out.

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

-Martin Hoover