Intentional walk

[Oddthomas]

During a HS game tonight the pitcher intentionally walked a hitter.....but she never released the ball. She went through her windup and just didn't release the ball. I got on NFHS and the rule states that the pitcher must release the pitch to intentionally walk a batter? Does th e pitcher have to release the ball.

 

[gcg3refs]

In FP, the ball must be pitched; NFHS baseball, you can just say "walk" him without any pitches throw

 

[EDGE MARCHINY]

was there anyone on base at this time if not its just a ball i would think since its called a illegal pitch

 

[Oddthomas]

Yes, there were runners at 2nd and 3rd.

 

[FastBat]

The runners should have advanced one base with every non-release...that was an illegal pitch.
I am guessing??

 

[BretMan2]

What you're describing- a pitcher going through the windup, but not delivering the ball- would be an illegal pitch. The penalty is a ball to the batter and a one-base award for the runners. If she did this four times, both of the runners would have scored before she reached ball four.

Not only that, but purposely committing illegal pitches to walk a batter should bring a warning by the umpire. If repeated the pitcher can be ejected.

I'm not sure why an umpire would allow this, why the pitcher's coach would encourage it, or why the offensive team's coach wouldn't go nuts when the runners weren't advanced.