ILLEGAL PITCHES

Actually it is the primary responsiblity of the plate umpire to make the call for being outside the 24" lane. This rule has come to the forefront simply because of Tara Mowat last year in the college world series. It like some of the other points will fall by the wayside in about a year. At the college level, yes there are lines put down to show the lane, but after the top of the first inning, the lines are gone, not to be redrawn. also at the college level, in a 3-man system, the 3rd base umpire, if rotated behind 2B can make that call. But the ultimate responsibility falls to the plate umpire. I personally that this violation is so rarely done, that it is rediculous to make an issue of it. And only umpires that want everyone around to know that they know the rule will call it. I believe that if a plate umpire is concentrating so hard on the pitching lane, his strike zone is probably non-existent. Just bare with it, I assure you it will disappear soon.

 

Go to the thread CVAC Tournament Game Pictures and go to the second group of pictures look at picture number 7. Both feet way off the ground. Not sure if it was called or not but clearly illegal

 

I’m new to TBR (my first post) but I’m not new to softball. I just had to weigh in on this. I’m slightly amused, but mostly disturbed to read some of the postings about the illegal pitch epidemic out there right now – my God, have they come up with a vaccine for it yet? Seriously though, if I didn’t know better I might think there were rogue pitchers out there single-handedly stealing victories from opposing teams like candy from a baby. I have seen hundreds of softball games, and quite frankly I’ve never walked away from one with that impression. The concept itself is an insult to the ladies and the game. It’s ridiculous really. But I think it definitely raises some legitimate points that should be addressed.

Don’t get me wrong –I have no problem with rules but there is a definite difference in rules being used to protect the quality of the game versus rules being used to gain an advantage or disrupt the ebb and flow of the game. Rules are absolutely necessary and are put in place for a reason – pitching rules no exception. If a pitcher is gaining an advantage because of a blatant illegal motion or technique, then by all means make the call. I don’t think anyone who loves this game wants to see the game erode into a sloppy disgrace.

There is a difference however, in a pitcher, for example, who leaps and is clearly attempting to drag the toe, but the foot loses contact with the ground slightly or very briefly for whatever reason, (i.e. field conditions, etc.). In this case, it is very clear that the pitcher is not attempting to plant and replant or crow hop to gain some unfair advantage NOR IS SHE gaining any unfair advantage. In fact, I would wager that if it were possible to measure any advantages gained by pitchers that were called for supposedly “pitching illegally” during a game, you would probably find the advantage is non-existent or nominal at best. To illigitimately nit-pick a pitcher to death with rules to gain an unfair advantage by "getting in her head" or disrupting momentum is ALSO an erosion of the game. That is NOT what the rules are there for! I've personally seen it done and I think it's dirty.

If you are going to properly address the illegal pitch issue then you also have to acknowledge that there are coaches out there who will use (or misuse) these rules, without hesitation to gain an advantage while sanctimoniously claiming they are just “upholding the rules”. I personally know a couple coaches that would bring a lawyer on the field if it were permissible. And I applaud all the coaches that are standing up and refusing to play the game that way. The game was meant to be played on the field NOT between the pages of a rule book. If you want to know why the “illegal pitch” issue becomes so heated during playoffs, then you have to lay all aspects of the issue out on the table, including the cheesy coaching tactics. Let’s address the purpose and effectiveness of the rules; let’s get educated umpires in the game who know and understand the nuances of not only the rules, but the different pitching styles and techniques, so they can spot the difference between a clear cut violation and a desperate or limp attempt by a coach to win at any cost. I get pretty rankled when I hear certain coaches cry that the rules are the rules and should be upheld for the sake of the game, knowing full well, these same coaches will shape and bend these very rules during the course of a game to gain even a small advantage. It’s disgusting.

I’ve watched and admired the young ladies of this fine sport for many years. And I think the majority of them have absolutely no qualms with the necessity and enforcement of rules. It is part of their beloved game. They just want to play. So let em play!

Anyway, I think the whole issue is multi-faceted, definitely not black and white. If we are going to address the illegal pitch issue, then let’s do it right. And you can’t do that if you are afraid to call a spade a spade. Put it all out there and hash it out.

 

pic

while that is a decent shot - you cant tell from that if shes off ythe ground or not and there could be the situation there where there is a small trough dug in front of the rubber.

 

My dd is a pitcher and I can tell first hand that their is NO advantage gained by a pitcher in what you are saying. Having to catch for my dd, I would tell that leaping actually hurts her ability to throw the ball with the expected movement. So to your claim that it's an advantage, that is nonsense

 

pushin twice

push off once from rubber i say dont push no mo.bad habits are hard to break if thats you ,blue needs to start calling it in early ages . college pitchers tonite geting called 4 outside 24'' .bad habits hard to break

 

pix

ok - i was looking through some pix - getting ready to burn disks to clear some hard drive space for summer and found a couple showing pitchers completely off the ground.


shes WAY in front of the rubber and the balls at the top of her wind up.


same player - different fields.

 

advantage

you can't tell me those pitchers above aren't gaining an advantage.

 

I do agree that it is an illegal pitch from the pictures. What advantage do you think they are gaining???