If a pitcher remains in an illegal hybrid position with a runner on base but then steps off the plate without delivering a pitch and reestablishes a legal position, which statement is true?

• A. This is permitted if no subsequent move occurred since taking the position.
• B. This is not permitted under any circumstance.
• C. The batter is awarded first base.
• D. The umpire must eject the pitcher.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a pitch attempt can be reset if the pitcher realizes the setup is illegal and steps off the rubber before delivering any pitch. When the pitcher is in an illegal hybrid position with a runner on base, stepping off the plate and then reestablishing a legal position cancels that attempted action. Since no pitch was delivered, nothing else happens to the runners or the count—the pitch is simply reset and play resumes with a legal stance.

This is why the statement is correct: as long as no further action toward delivering a pitch occurred after taking the illegal position, stepping off and reestablishing a legal position is permitted. The other choices aren’t accurate because there’s no automatic base award, no mandatory ejection, and the situation isn’t deemed “not permitted under any circumstance” since a clean reset is allowed.