What occurs if a pitcher defaces the ball?

When a pitcher defaces the ball, it is considered a serious violation of the rules. Defacing the ball refers to any action by the pitcher that alters the condition or appearance of the baseball in a way that could give them an unfair advantage, such as scuffing or marking it.

In this situation, the correct outcome is that the ball is immediately called dead, meaning that no further plays can occur until a new situation is established. Additionally, any pitch delivered after the ball is defaced is ruled as an illegal pitch. This maintains the integrity of the game and ensures that all plays are conducted fairly without any manipulation of the equipment.

Introducing a new ball does follow the ruling, as the defaced ball would no longer be usable, but the primary rule triggered is that the play cannot continue, and the illegal nature of the pitch must be addressed. Therefore, the action taken serves to enforce proper conduct on the field and protect the fairness of the game overall.