If a pitcher defaces a ball, which of the following statements is true?

• A. The ball is dead immediately.
• B. He may be ejected by the umpire.
• C. If he delivers a pitch with the defaced ball and detected, it is an illegal pitch.
• D. A, B and C.

Answer: (D)

When a pitcher defaces a ball, play is stopped at once and the ball is dead. That immediate stoppage reflects that altering the ball is not permitted and must be treated as a dead-ball situation to prevent any unfair advantage. Because the action is a rule violation, the umpire has the authority to remove the pitcher from the game—ejection is a possible penalty depending on the circumstances and rule enforcement. If, after the defacement is noticed, the pitcher delivers another pitch with that same defaced ball and the violation is detected, that delivery is classified as an illegal pitch. Since all of these outcomes can occur from a defaced ball, the statements collectively describe what can happen, making all of them true.