# Law 13: Pitching (Official Baseball Rules)

Baseball · Law 13: Pitching · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/laws/law-13-pitching/)

The windup and set positions, warm-ups and the WBSC pitch clock, what the pitcher may not do, throws to the bases, ambidextrous pitchers, balks and the limits on mound visits.

## 13.131 Positions and the Pitch Clock

The two pitching positions, signs, the complete stop, warm-ups and the 20-second clock.

### Test 1: The windup and the set position

- 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)
- Pitchers must take their signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher's plate. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.2)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- When the pitcher disengages the rubber he must drop his hands to his sides. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.2)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

### Test 2: Warm-up pitches and the pitch clock

- The pitcher may throw up to eight warm-up pitches, within the time allowed between innings. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.4)
- Any warm-up violation by the pitcher is penalised with a ball awarded to the batter. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.4)
- The WBSC pitch clock is set at twenty seconds. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.1)
- 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)
- The clock is activated when the pitcher receives the ball in the mound area. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.4)
- After the 20-second clock starts, the batter has ten seconds to enter the box. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.5.5)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## 13.132 Prohibitions and Throws

Dropped balls, the mouth, foreign substances, throwing at batters, pickoffs and two-handed pitchers.

### Test 1: What the pitcher may not do

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

### Test 2: Throws to the bases and two-handed pitchers

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## 13.133 Balks and Mound Visits

The balk list, when a balk is ignored, free trips and removing the pitcher.

### Test 1: Balks

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- The walk moved everyone up anyway, so there is nothing for the balk to add. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.10)
- 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)
- 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)

### Test 2: Mound visits and removing the pitcher

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Unused free trips in the regulation innings may not be used in extra innings. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.1.4)
- 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)
- A pitcher moved to another defensive position may return to the mound only once. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 13.11.5)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

Sources: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026, Rule 13 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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