No pitch

A no pitch is a pitch in baseball which is ruled to be not a ball, a strike or a balk.

There are various reasons as to why an umpire would rule a no pitch. If the umpire is not in a ready position to call a ball or strike, he may call a no pitch. Also if the umpire believes the batter is not ready, or if the batter is not in the batter's box, he may rule a no pitch. If an umpire, (not necessarily the home plate umpire), calls time while a pitch is being delivered a no pitch is usually called.

One of the more famous no pitch calls was when ten time All-Star Randy Johnson hit a bird with a pitch. The ball was near the plate once it hit a flying bird.