In the windup position, the pitcher pauses for several seconds with both hands together above his head.

• A. This is legal provided the pause was complete and discernible.
• B. This would be legal had he stopped with his hands together at or below his chin.
• C. This is illegal. After he starts his movement to pitch, he must continue his motion without interruption or alteration.
• D. Both A & B.

Answer: (C)

In the windup, a pitcher must deliver the ball in a continuous forward motion once he begins his motion toward the plate. Pausing for several seconds with both hands together above the head is a deliberate halt in that motion, which breaks the delivery and is not permitted. The rule focuses on maintaining a continuous sequence from start to release, not on where the hands are at a given instant. So this action is illegal because the motion was started and then interrupted before the pitch is released. The described scenarios that try to justify a legal pause—whether with the hands above the head or at other positions—do not align with the requirement for uninterrupted delivery, so they wouldn’t be acceptable.