Stealing Home

In order for the run to score, the runner would have had to touch the plate prior to the time of the pitch. Highly doubtful that this would happen.

If the batter leaves the box you may have interference if the batter hindered the catcher in fielding the pitch. I could see this happening if the batter steps onto the plate where he shouldn't be. But if he steps back out of the box away from the plate and is hbp, I would have a hard time justifying interference.

Is not the ball dead the moment it hits the batter?

Yes

If I am not mistaken time of pitch is when the Pitcher initiates contact with the rubber in either of the pitching positions. If the runner breaks once the pitcher comes set or the pitcher is in the wind up position TOP has the runner on 3rd base.

The time of the pitch is not when he toes the rubber but when he is comitted to deliver the pitch. From the set position it is after he comes set and when he starts his movement to the plate. In the Windup, TOP is when he starts his motion after being on the rubber.

If the ball is dead upon contact does not the runner return to third base and the batter takes first?

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
If the ball is dead upon contact does not the runner return to third base and the batter takes first?

The runner returns to third provided he did not touch home prior to the time of pitch, which would be about 99.9999% of the time.

OK thanks for the clarification on TOP. So it is not engaged but rather the first movement to make the pitch that establishes TOP.