During the wind-up, a pitcher briefly stops with hands together above the head. What is the ruling if the stop is not continuous?

• A. This is illegal. After he starts his movement to pitch, he must continue the motion without interruption or alteration.
• B. This would be legal if the pitcher had stopped with his hands at or below his chin.
• C. This is legal provided the stop was complete and discernible.
• D. A and B.

Answer: (A)

During the wind-up, the pitcher must keep the motion toward the plate continuous once it has begun. Any pause or interruption breaks the delivery and is not allowed. If he briefly stops with his hands together above the head and does not resume immediately in a continuous fashion, that stop is illegal. The umpire would rule an illegal pitch and the ball is dead. There are no permitted exceptions based on where the hands are or on a stop being complete and discernible—the motion must remain continuous.