Can the pitcher be on the mound without the ball?

Yes, a pitcher can be on the mound without the ball, but it depends on the specific rules (MLB, NCAA, High School) and their position on the mound; generally, they can be on the dirt circle but not touching or straddling the rubber if runners are on, as it's often a balk to prevent the hidden ball trick, though the rules vary slightly by level.

Can a pitcher take the mound without the ball?

In professional baseball, under Rule 6.02(a)(9), a balk occurs if the pitcher is standing on or astride of the pitching rubber without the ball. As play after a foul ball, hit batsman, or time out, must not resume until the pitcher is on the pitcher's mound, the infielder cannot use these times to obtain the ball.

What is the ohtani rule?

The "Ohtani Rule" in MLB allows a starting pitcher who is also listed as the designated hitter (DH) to remain in the game as the DH even after being removed from pitching, essentially letting them stay in the lineup to hit even after their day on the mound ends. This rule, created in 2022, solves a problem for two-way stars like Shohei Ohtani, preventing teams from losing the DH spot (and a powerful bat) when the pitcher is pulled, making it much easier to utilize players who excel at both pitching and hitting.
 

What constitutes an illegal pitch in baseball?

An illegal pitch in baseball involves deceptive or prohibited pitcher actions, like using foreign substances (spitball, pine tar), defacing the ball, making an illegal windup (e.g., "crow hop," "creep"), delivering a "quick pitch" before the batter is ready, or failing to pitch in a continuous motion, with penalties ranging from a ball to ejection, depending on the infraction and if runners are on base (where it becomes a balk).
 

What are the rules for the pitcher's mound in baseball?

Pitcher's mound: The pitcher's plate must be a 24-inch by 6-inch slab of whitened rubber that is 10 inches above the level of home plate and 60 feet, 6 inches away from the back point of home plate.

What constitues a balk?

What is the 3 pitcher rule?

With the introduction of the rule, the new pitcher now has to face a minimum of three batters until the completion of their at-bat, or until the completion of the inning. If the latter occurs after only one or two batters and the pitcher remains in the game to start the next inning, the rule still applies.

What is the deadliest pitch in baseball?

Baseball's Deadliest Pitch and How it Changed the Sport Forever. Tragedy struck on August 16, 1920, when during a visiting game at the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Yankees, Cleveland shortstop and all-around affable guy Ray Chapman was beaned in the head by a "spitball" thrown by submarine pitcher Carl Mays.

What are illegal pitches?

Definition. It is illegal for the pitcher to deceive, rush, or surprise the batter by imitating a pitch while not in contact with the rubber. It is also illegal for a pitcher to “quick pitch” the batter by quickly stepping on the rubber and pitching without taking a sign.

What is a pitch violation in baseball?

The pitcher must begin his motion to deliver the pitch before the expiration of the pitch timer. Pitchers who violate the timer are charged with an automatic ball. Batters who violate the timer are charged with an automatic strike.

What makes a pitch illegal?

Delivery Violations

Illegal Windup: A pitcher is allowed one step backward and one step forward in their windup. Any additional movements can result in an illegal pitch call. Quick Pitches: If a pitcher delivers a pitch before the batter is ready, it is considered a quick pitch and is illegal.

Who threw a 104 mph pitch?

Mason Miller is the new No. 1 flamethrower in recorded postseason history. Miller struck out the Cubs' Carson Kelly with a 104.5 mph fastball in the bottom of the seventh inning during the Padres' 3-0 win in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Has anyone ever had a 3 pitch inning?

Yes, a three-pitch inning, where a pitcher records three outs using only three pitches (one pitch per batter), has happened numerous times in MLB history, though it's exceptionally rare, with over 200 recorded instances, the first by Duke Esper in 1894 and recent ones by pitchers like Tanner Scott in 2025. It's even rarer than an "immaculate inning" (three strikeouts on nine pitches) and often involves relievers entering mid-inning or specific game situations.
 

What is the 45 rule in baseball?

The 45-degree rule in baseball is an umpire's guideline, especially for left-handed pitchers, to judge if they stepped "directly" toward a base on a pickoff move, preventing balks. An imaginary 45-degree line is drawn from the pitcher's pivot foot; if the pitcher's other foot lands outside this line (towards home plate instead of the base), it's often a balk. This rule ensures pitchers can't easily fake a move to one base and then throw to another without committing to a direction, preventing runner deception.
 

Does anyone wear 69 in the MLB?

Yes, players do wear #69 in MLB, though it's quite rare, with only a couple dozen players ever using it, often pitchers; recent examples include AJ Blubaugh (2025) and Francisco Morales (2022) for the Phillies, but it's not a common or long-term number for most, with Bronson Arroyo being a notable exception for wearing it for multiple seasons with the Pirates early in his career. 

What is the rarest pitch in baseball?

The rarest pitches in baseball are often considered the Eephus (a high-floating, slow lob) and the Screwball, though pitches like the Gyroball and unique variations like Kouji Uehara's "Ghost Fork" or Kirby Yates' Splitter also qualify due to their scarcity and distinctiveness, making them tough for hitters to time. While the Eephus is famous for its slow speed and the Screwball for its reverse break, the true "rarest" can vary, but these pitches are all exceptionally uncommon in modern MLB. 

How fast is 82 mph from 46 feet?

82 mph from 46 feet is the MLB equivalent of 107 mph.

What pitch is banned in MLB?

A spitball is a now-illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of a foreign substance such as saliva or petroleum jelly. This technique alters the wind resistance and weight on one side of the ball, causing it to move in an atypical manner.

Did Nolan Ryan throw a 108 mph pitch?

No, Nolan Ryan didn't officially throw 108 mph, but his famous 100.9 mph pitch from 1974, when recalculated with modern technology measuring release speed, is estimated to have been around 108 mph, making it a legendary, though technically unofficial, feat. The 100.9 mph was measured near the plate with older tech; current methods measure closer to the mound where the ball is fastest, explaining the significant difference and why he's still considered one of baseball's hardest throwers.
 

What is the 80/20 rule in baseball?

As mentioned, we as coaches must lay down a solid foundation in all skills for beginners. But for kids who are past the beginner phase of learning baseball, 80% of what happens in a game is hitting the ball off the coach pitcher. The other 20% is fielding, throwing and baserunning.

Who threw a 106 mph pitch?

15 Years ago today, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in MLB history. Officially recorded at 105.8 mph, don't blink or you will miss it. Chapman is currently in his 16th year of his career, and rumor has it he just started locating his fastball this year. Sheesh.

What is a filthy pitch in baseball?

Definition. 1. Said of a pitch that features a combination of speed, movement, and location that makes it unhittable; e.g., Mariano Rivera's cut fastball, thrown so hard that its movement is explosive, very late and very sharp.

What pitch is not allowed in baseball?

An illegal pitch in baseball involves deceptive or prohibited pitcher actions, like using foreign substances (spitball, pine tar), defacing the ball, making an illegal windup (e.g., "crow hop," "creep"), delivering a "quick pitch" before the batter is ready, or failing to pitch in a continuous motion, with penalties ranging from a ball to ejection, depending on the infraction and if runners are on base (where it becomes a balk).
 

What's the fastest baseball pitch ever?

The fastest officially recorded baseball pitch in Major League Baseball history was thrown by Aroldis Chapman, who reached 105.8 mph (170.3 km/h) on September 24, 2010, while pitching for the Cincinnati Reds against the San Diego Padres, a record recognized by Guinness World Records. While other pitchers have thrown close to this speed, Chapman's fastball remains the fastest verified pitch in a game.