Law 13: Pitching

There are two legal pitching positions, the windup and the set position, and either may be used at any time.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.1 · recall

Pitchers must take their signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher's plate.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.2 · recall

Either legal position can be used at any time, though with runners on he is presumed set unless he tells the umpire otherwise.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.1 · applied

In the set position he stands with the pivot foot on the plate, the ball in both hands in front of his body, and comes to a complete stop.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.3.2 · recall

Failing to come to a complete and discernible stop in the set position with runners on is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.16 · applied

With no runners on base the pitcher need not come to a complete stop when using the set position.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.3.2 · recall

When the pitcher disengages the rubber he must drop his hands to his sides.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.2 · applied

In the windup he faces the batter with his pivot foot on the plate; in the delivery he may take one step back and one forward.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.3.1 · recall

Up to eight warm-up pitches within the time between innings; with thirty seconds left the catcher throws to second.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.4 · recall

In the windup he may not raise either foot except, in the actual delivery, one step back and one step forward with his free foot.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.3.1 · applied

The pitcher may throw up to eight warm-up pitches, within the time allowed between innings.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.4 · recall

Any warm-up violation by the pitcher is penalised with a ball awarded to the batter.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.4 · recall

The WBSC pitch clock is set at twenty seconds.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.1 · recall

The clock runs only with no runners on base, for the whole game including extra innings.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.3 · recall

The clock is activated when the pitcher receives the ball in the mound area.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.4 · recall

After the 20-second clock starts, the batter has ten seconds to enter the box.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.5 · recall

Stepping off the rubber does not stop the clock unless the umpire grants the pitcher time.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.8 · applied

The clock starts when the pitcher has the ball; the batter has ten seconds to get in; the pitcher must start within twenty.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5 · recall

With five or more seconds showing when time is granted, the full 20 seconds are not given back; the clock restarts on 'Play ball'.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.9 · recall

A pitcher who does not begin his motion within 20 seconds under the clock rule is charged with a ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.4, 13.6.3 · applied

With no one on base, a dropped ball that does not cross the foul line is no pitch.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.2 · applied

With the bases empty, a dropped ball that crosses the foul line is called a ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.2 · applied

If there is a runner on base and the ball is dropped while the pitcher is on the rubber, it is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.2 · applied

Going to the mouth on the rubber or in the 18-foot circle: the umpire removes the ball and warns the pitcher; a repeat is a ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.4 · applied

In cold weather the umpire may announce to both teams that pitchers may blow on their hands, on or off the rubber.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.4 · recall

The pitcher may not delay the game by throwing to players other than the catcher when the batter is ready, except to retire a runner.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.6 · applied

The umpire may eject the pitcher, or pitcher and manager, or warn both teams that another such pitch means ejection.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.7 · applied

The first time brings the ball out of play and a warning; any later violation is a ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.4 · applied

After an official warning, another such pitch means the immediate ejection of that pitcher and the manager.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.7 · recall

Having a foreign substance on his person or applying one to the ball gets the pitcher ejected; the umpire may only warn if there was no intent.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.5 · applied

During his preliminary movements he may throw to any base, provided he steps directly to that base first.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.7 · recall

Stepping back off the plate with the pivot foot makes him an infielder, and a wild throw counts as any infielder's.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.8 · applied

He must indicate visually to the umpire, batter and runners which hand he will use, for example by wearing his glove on the other hand.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.9 · recall

Changing pitching hands during a time at bat is a balk with runners on base, and a warning; a repeat means ejection.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.9.1 · applied

With no one on, it is an illegal pitch: a ball is called and the pitcher is warned; repeating it brings ejection.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.9.2 · applied

If a pinch-hitter replaces a batter during an at-bat, the pitcher may change pitching hands.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.9 · applied

If the batter is a switch-hitter, the ambidextrous pitcher must declare which hand he will use to that batter.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.9 · recall

A second push-off before the pitch is an illegal pitch; with runners on base it is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.6.10 · recall

He keeps the same hand until the batter is out or on base, the inning ends, a pinch-hitter comes in or he is injured.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.9 · recall

The pitcher must step ahead of the throw; a snap throw followed by the step towards the base is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.6 · applied

Any feinting motion while touching the plate without completing the throw towards the batter, or to first or third, is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.1 · applied

Feinting to a base and then, without breaking contact with the rubber, throwing to another base is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.2 · applied

The spin move to second is legal if he raises the lead leg and immediately steps directly towards second; he need not throw.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.5 · recall

If after a balk the batter reaches base and all runners advance at least one base, the play stands and the balk is ignored.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10 · applied

Both have violated the rules, so it is not a balk: the umpire calls Time and the at-bat restarts.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.13 · applied

Taking either hand off the ball after the set position, unless pitching or throwing to a base, is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.14 · applied

Stepping towards second without completing the throw is legal if the base is occupied or there is an attempt to retire a runner.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.9 · recall

The walk moved everyone up anyway, so there is nothing for the balk to add.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10 · recall

Raising the lead leg and stepping directly to second in one motion makes the move legal, throw or no throw.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.5 · recall

Standing on the mound's dirt circle without the ball during a hidden-ball attempt is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10.12 · applied

WBSC allows three free trips, plus one more for every three innings of extra innings (MLB counts five trips).

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.1 · recall

A free trip is a charged defensive conference with a manager, coach or bench personnel in which the pitcher is not removed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.1.1 · recall

A manager's defensive conference with any defensive player is charged, whether or not the player goes to the mound.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.1.3 · applied

Unused free trips in the regulation innings may not be used in extra innings.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.1.4 · recall

The trip begins when the manager crosses the foul line and ends when he leaves the dirt circle or warm-ups begin.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.4 · recall

A pitcher moved to another defensive position may return to the mound only once.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.5 · recall

When a player is bleeding, a decision to substitute must be made within ten minutes of play being stopped.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.1.6 · recall

If he continues after the warning, the manager is ejected and the pitcher is removed once the batter's turn is over.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.3.3 · applied

A pitcher starting an inning must face the first batter until he is out or on base, unless a pinch-hitter or an injury intervenes.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.6 · recall

A second visit to the same pitcher in the same inning means he is removed from the pitcher's position for the rest of the game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.2 · applied