--- In WRLLUmpires@yahoogroups.com, "llcad33" <llcad33@...> wrote:
>
> > Just to clarify-the picther clearly was not "pitching." 
> 
> What defines a pitch is being in contact with the rubber and throwing toward the plate. You can not redefine what a pitch is. If you are going to make an appeal to the plate you must first step off with the pivot foot. Then make the appeal. If you are in contact with the rubber when you throw home it is by definition a pitch.
> 
> It does not make a difference what the pitcher intended to do. What he failed to do was step off therefore from the rubber he is a pitcher and throwing at that time is a pitch. By stepping off he then becomes an infielder and can throw (not pitch)to any base he would like. But just as he cannot fake to first from the rubber you cannot throw home from the rubber except to deliver a pitch.
> 
> Therefore it is either a ball or an IP.
> 
> clay

I respectfully disagree, The definition of a pitch which Jay posted verbatim from Rule 2.0 is: "A ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher." 

Not sure where you are getting "What defines a pitch is being in contact with the rubber and throwing toward the plate." If anyone is redefining what a pitch is-you just did.

Can you tell me where this is in the rule book or RIM? Because I can not find it.

What I can find in the RIM on PG 31 immediately following the defintion of a pitch on pg 31 is:

"All other deliveries of the ball by one player to another are thrown balls."

I think that is the crux of the "interpretation"-was it a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher or was it a delivery of the ball by one player to another which is a thrown ball?

Keep in mind- there is no requirement to disengage from the rubber to make an appeal play. 

Darrell
AZ D2

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