When does the pitcher's pitch begin

[StrikeToWin]

Had a VERY low level game the other night.  HT F1 only pitched from the wind-up and walked a batter with no outs.  Pitcher then engages the pitchers plate and immediately R1 takes off for second, as he is rounding 2B and on his way to 3rd, the pitcher pitches the ball and the batter fouls the pitch off.  3B coach questioned me putting his runner back at 1B.  Did I get this right or totally blow the call?  R1 was definitely around 2nd before he began his wind-up but he was still at 1B (he stopped there to take off batting gloves and hand to 1B coach) when the pitcher engaged the rubber.  This is OBR.

[scrounge]

Time of pitch is when he starts his motion, not engaging the rubber. Try this thought experiment: say F1 engaged the rubber but never started his motion. R1 runs to 2B. Then, seeing the pitcher just being a statue, runs to 3B. Then, after he's there, the pitcher balks. Would you enforce the award from 1B? No, he's already occupying 3B at time of infraction, so enforced from there. If he truly occupied 2B - rather than just 'around' - at time of pitch, then that's where he was at time of pitch. But be sure he had 2B, not just 'around' 2B.

[grayhawk]

You said "as he is rounding 2B and on his way to 3rd, the pitcher pitches the ball..."  Did the pitcher begin his motion prior to R1 touching second base?  This would be either moving his hands or taking his step (or both).  If F1 began his motion prior to R1 touching second, then put him back on first.  Otherwise, he occupied 2B prior to TOP so leave him at second.

 

When he "pitches the ball" (meaning when the ball was released) is not relevant.

[CricketChapman]

Time of pitch is when he starts his motion, not engaging the rubber. ..But be sure he had 2B, not just 'around' 2B.

Agree w/ the answer.  I think OP meant "had rounded" when he said "around."

[scrounge]

 

Time of pitch is when he starts his motion, not engaging the rubber. ..But be sure he had 2B, not just 'around' 2B.

Agree w/ the answer.  I think OP meant "had rounded" when he said "around."

 

 

oh....yea, that would make more sense