What is the ruling if a pitcher pauses with his hands above his head during a wind-up?

When a pitcher pauses with his hands above his head during the wind-up, it is classified as an illegal motion. According to baseball rules, the pitcher must maintain a continuous motion towards the plate after starting the wind-up. If the pitcher holds the ball in a position that creates a prolonged pause, it disrupts the flow of the wind-up, which is considered illegal.

The intent of this rule is to prevent the pitcher from gaining an unfair advantage or throwing off the timing of the batter. It's important for pitchers to have a clear and continuous motion to ensure that the game remains fair and to keep the flow of play consistent.

In scenarios where pauses or interruptions occur that are not in accordance with the established rules, the umpire is tasked with making a judgment call to maintain the integrity of the game. Thus, a pause with hands above the head is directly against the expected motion and rules governing a pitcher's delivery.