Time of pitch

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In baseball, the time of pitch is that instant when the pitcher has begun his pitching motion and, by the rules, has committed himself to throwing the pitch. This instant thus occurs before the pitcher actually releases the ball. Once a pitcher commits himelf to throwing a pitch, it is illegal for him to return to his set. If that happens, he is charged with a balk, and any baserunners are allowed to advance a base.

A baserunner's time-of-pitch base is the base which he has last legally reached at the time of pitch.