Question: In high school baseball and softball, with runner on first base, while in contact with pitching plate, pitcher licks fingers and does not wipe off prior to pitch. Legal action?
Answer: Illegal action; dead ball. In (BB), balk is called and runner advances to second while batter remains at bat with current count. (BB- Rule 6-1-3 and 6-2-1(e). In (SB), dead ball, illegal pitch; runner advances one base and batter gains a ball in the count. (Rule 6-2-2)
Question: After receiving the pitched ball from the catcher, how many seconds does the pitcher have to release the pitch? (10, 15 or 20)
Answer: In (BB), the pitcher has 20 seconds to pitch, make or attempt a play, including a fake. Penalty – ball on batter. (Rule 6-2-2 (c). In (SB), she has 20 seconds; penalty, ball is awarded batter. (Rule 6-2-3)