Automatic strike vs call the pitch

[afaber12]

I had a game recently where a situation popped up that was a bit unusual and I haven't been able to quite shake it out of my head since. (Apologies in advance for the length.)

 

OBR. Runners/outs don't matter. Batter takes ball 3 to go to 3-1, while half showing bunt - brought the bat around as if ready to bunt, but didn't actually try to put the bunt down. Next pitch does the same thing, except before the the pitch is in the catcher's glove (maybe even before it got to the plate) starts heading up the line to 1st base. Being a righty, this meant going across the plate. We've probably all seen umpires call strikes in this spot even if the pitch didn't actually go through the zone, but I think even those guys would have trouble calling this pitch: fastball caught with the glove on the ground, reaching to the outside despite having setup out there to start. I'm guessing part of the reason the batter started to first was because it was so obviously not a strike.

 

I ball it, and the defensive manager starts to come out of the dugout. Not to chat with the pitcher who's starting to show signs of struggling, but to me. He thinks the pitch should have been called a strike because the batter stepped out of the box. I tell him that since the pitcher had started his motion and released the ball by the time he was out of the box there was no penalty, that the pitch is called ball or strike on its merits. I could see no grounds for ruling a strike in this case. The manager heads back to the dugout, maybe muttering a little. I heard something that could have been "... should have been a strike ..." from that direction before the next batter has settled in the box, but nothing else about it.

 

After the game I started to wonder about this situation, partly because I couldn't remember ever coming across this type of situation - at least not this "extreme" version of it, batter heading up the line so soon - but also because the DM is a fellow umpire, who has always seemed experienced, level-headed, knowledgeable of the rules, and a valuable resource at our meetings. So I hit the rulebook and tried to see who was right. This is what I came up with:

6.02b seems to be the rule that applies, as it talks about the batter leaving his position after the pitcher starts the windup or has come set, with the penalty being the pitch is called either ball or strike as appropriate. The pitcher would have been protected from having a balk called because of the batter, but otherwise if the pitch is made its called as if the batter hadn't done anything wrong. 6.02c and 6.02d both talk about possible penalty strikes. 6.02c requires the batter to refuse to enter the box, but he started off in the box so that doesn't seem to be relevant. 6.02d only allows the batter to step out under certain circumstances - one of which is feinting a bunt - and delaying the game - which didn't happen - so its out on two counts.

 

Did I get this call right? Maybe with a manager trying to test me out and/or see how I'd do under extra pressure? Or am I missing something and wind up booting this call?

[basejester]

I agree with your call.  The rule is clear, despite how people try to stretch it into something punitive.

[DVA7130]

Good call, the zone just traditionally expands when the batter isn't there.

[afaber12]

Good call, the zone just traditionally expands when the batter isn't there.

This was far enough away from the zone that if I'd called it a strike, I'm pretty sure I would've added to my tally of 2 ejections and a forfeit from the previous game that day.

Yes, there's a story there. No, I haven't posted it yet. I want to give it a little more time, make sure there's no extra action in the legal aftermath of it.