During Tuesday night’s 6-5 loss to the Mets, Phillies bench coach Larry Bowa was ejected after an argument involving a perceived “quick pitch” from Mets reliever Hansel Robles to pinch-hitter Darin Ruf.
When Darin Ruf looked up to get ready for Hansel Robles' first pitch, it was already en route to home plate. Umpire Dan Bellino called timeout and ruled the pitch would not count, but the Phillies dugout was already incensed.
Larry Bowa was at the heart of the benches-clearing commotion in the seventh inning of the Phillies' 6-5 loss to the first-place New York Mets on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies bench coach was ejected by Bellino, who warned both teams. Robles, the Phillies thought, had done the same thing the night before on a two-strike pitch to Cameron Rupp.
‘Rule 8.01 b) The Set Position. Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball. See Rule 8.05(e) Comment.’
‘Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.’
From what I've heard, this pitcher has been guilty of doing this in the past, but has gotten away with it. As far as I'm concerned, the batter just needs to pay attention, and call time if he sees the pitcher about to try it.
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