Winning Run on Illegal Pitch
Bottom of the 7th (last) inning with 2 outs. The score is tied 2-2. Runners on 1st and 3rd. The pitcher double touches while on the pitcher's plate and the home plate umpire signals a delay dead ball for the illegal pitch. Then, while the pitcher is in the wind up, but before releasing the ball, the runner at 1st base leaves early and the base umpire signals "no pitch" to kill the play. The runner at 1st is called out for the 3rd out of the inning. However, is the game now tied and going into extra innings because there should be no award on the illegal pitch, or should the game now be over because the runner at 3rd gets awarded home plate (and the winning run) on the illegal pitch? What's your call? Back to Quiz
Tie Game! Get ready for the tie breaker.
Even though the illegal pitch occurred before the runner leaving early occured, as soon as the runner fails to keep contact with the base while the ball is in the pitchers hand, the status of the pitch immediately changs from "illegal" to "no pitch"! (rule 8-7-S EFFECT).
Therefore, there can not be an illegal pitch, or an out, or a home run, or anything else for that matter, on a "no pitch". As such, the runner leaving early at 1st would be the 3rd out of the inning and the runner at 3rd base would not be awarded anything on the "no pitch". Tie game. Keep playing.
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