Even More Baseball Questions

[Saint_Cad]

@Telemark

If the pitcher doesn’t pitch the ball, he’ll walk the batter. Once there’s a base runner it becomes a balk.

How can it be a balk with a baserunner on if the 12 second rule only applies if the bases are empty?

[Telemark]

@Saint_Cad

How can it be a balk with a baserunner on if the 12 second rule only applies if the bases are empty?

8.05
If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when –

(h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;
Rule 8.05(h) Comment: Rule 8.05(h) shall not apply when a warning is given pursuant to Rule 8.02(c) (which prohibits intentional delay of a game by throwing to fielders not in an attempt to put a runner out). If a pitcher is ejected pursuant to Rule 8.02(c) for continuing to delay the game, the penalty in Rule 8.05(h) shall also apply. Rule 8.04 (which sets a time limit for a pitcher to deliver the ball when the bases are unoccupied) applies only when there are no runners on base.

So, if the pitcher refuses to pitch the ball when runners are on base it’s a balk.

[journeyman_southpaw]

If a runner is on base is there anything in the rules stopping the pitcher from making an infinite number of pickoff throws?

[RickJay]

No, there’s not.

[Telemark]

@journeyman_southpaw

If a runner is on base is there anything in the rules stopping the pitcher from making an infinite number of pickoff throws?

I think that would be covered by the same rule - unnecessary delay of game. It would be a judgement call by the umpire, since he’d have to determine that the pickoff attempts were only to wait until the relief pitcher was ready.

[TriPolar]

8.02 (c) Intentionally delay the game by throwing the ball to players other then the catcher, when the batter is in position, except in an attempt to retire a runner.

Sounds like they can’t, except the rules also give the umps a lot of discretion in applying the rules. So if the runner is standing on the base the umpire might say it wasn’t an attempt to retire the runner. But if the runner keeps leading off they shouldn’t be able to stop the pitcher from throwing pickoffs. Those duels are part of the game.