MLB Disengagement rules

[DevildogUmp]

Random question:

Pitch clock is running. Pitcher isn't paying attention to the plate and engages the rubber. He looks up and realizes that the batter hasn't even started stepping in yet and disengages. Does this count as a disengagement?

Matt

[Senor Azul]

Both the pitcher and the batter have a  responsibility to be ready according to the pitch timer rules. A batter must be in the box and "alert" to the pitcher by the 8-second mark. If he is not ready he is penalized with a strike added to his count.

[DevildogUmp]

@Senor Azul That doesn't answer the question. Does a pitcher get hit with a disengagement if the batter isn't even in the box when he steps off?

[MadMax]

12 hours ago, DevildogUmp said:

Does a pitcher get hit with a disengagement if the batter isn't even in the box when he steps off?

In OBR? Yes. 

2 disengagements per at-bat (unless one is for a charged defensive conference, or an umpire-invoked purpose). A 3rd disengagement must result in a Runner retired, else it is a Balk. 

The added “pressure” in OBR – within MLB/MiLB games (now with pitch clock) – is that the ball is Live upon the pitcher engaging the rubber with a/the ball (that ball is Live). If he doesn’t disengage, and does something outside of the pitching rules, or anything that could be interpreted as a balk, it will be called (with Runners on). 

In the amateur game, if the ball is Dead, the PU is still the only one who can make (point) the ball Live. To do so, the PU must have the 3 main elements present. That includes a batter in the box. So if the pitcher engages, s add me then disengages, it doesn’t matter, because the ball isn’t Live (yet). 

If the ball is Live, and we have a new batter starting his at-bat, then, so too, the Action clock doesn’t start until the batter is in the box (PU points, but doesn’t say anything). So, any engagement / disengagement / re-engagement doesn’t affect the pitcher until the clock is started. Then, the pitcher is allowed 1 “free” reset per at-bat (with Runners on). If no Runners are on, then it (that disengagement) doesn’t matter, the clock continues to run down from :20 once the PU indicates its start. 

Make sense? 

[beerguy55]

On 9/16/2023 at 8:03 PM, DevildogUmp said:

@Senor Azul That doesn't answer the question. Does a pitcher get hit with a disengagement if the batter isn't even in the box when he steps off?

Yes...and when he disengages the 20 second clock will reset.

Likewise, if the pitcher is strolling around the mound, and talking to the shortstop, while the pitch clock is winding down, the batter is required to be in the box and alert at the 8 second mark, and will get charged with a strike, even if the pitcher isn't even on the mound.

There's no reason for him to disengage if the batter isn't ready.  It's in is best interest to stay engaged and hope he gets a free strike.  The pitcher, however, is not allowed to come set until the batter is alert to the pitcher.

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, beerguy55 said:

The pitcher, however, is not allowed to come set until the batter is alert to the pitcher.

If he is in the set. The loophole being that with no runners and an alert batter sideways pitcher could deliver, some of whom have a very abbreviated stutter step, others who occasionally just throw without a windup. I haven't seen anyone take advantage of this yet.

[Thomas Van den Eynde]

Can someone give the correct ruling numbers of the OBR? I called a balk for a 3th disengament without resulting in an out, but I couldn't give the coaches (who where still unaware of the rule changes) the correct number of the OBR.

(I'm a Belgian umpire, we use the OBR of the previous year, so OBR 2023).