Coming Set in the Stretch


 
In the younger leagues, the pitcher sometimes pitches from the set position (versus the windup position) when there are no runners on base. Unlike MLB rules, the NF rules may surprise you...
 
No one base and no outs. The pitcher is pitching from the set position and fails to come to a stop before he delivers the ball to the batter. Is this a balk? Or "no pitch"? Or something else?
 
Call
In NF, rule 6-2-2 requires that when a pitcher is in the set position, he must come to a complete and discernible stop, regardless of the number of men on base. If he does not come set, but there are no runners on base, it is an illegal pitch and a ball is added to the count.
 
The above is a strict interpretation of 6-2-2.  However, a practical application of this rule could render a warning, rather than a "ball", depending in the umpire's judgement if the pitcher was deliberately trying to deceive the batter.