The pitcher shall not...

During last night’s NYY at BOS game on ESPN, there was a moment in the top of the 10th inning that revealed a rule I hadn’t previously been aware of. Rookie Red Sox reliever Chris Hansen was on the mound, trying to shut the Yankees down after they tied the game in the 9th against closer Pabelbon. Suddenly, the home plate ump indicated that the batter was awarded another ball, bringing the count (if I recall correctly) to 2-1.

Apparently, Hansen had brought a hand to his lips, violating the previously unknown (to me) rule, as Jon Miller explained. Eyebrows raised, I picked up my handy-dandy book of the Official Rules of Major League Baseball which happened to be at hand — lo and behold, in the pitchers section of the rules, at the beginning of Rule 8.02:

The pitcher shall not —
(a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand. PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation….

The rule goes on with individual mentions of spit balls and other artificial modifications. Goes to show, there’s always more to learn, even in a seemingly simple game like baseball.