1. This Board Rocks has been split into two separate forums.

    The Preps Forum section was moved here to stand on its own. All member accounts are the same here as they were at ThisBoardRocks.

    The rest of ThisBoardRocks is located at: CarolinaPanthersForum.com

    Welcome to the new Preps Forum!

    Dismiss Notice

ILLEGAL PITCHES

Discussion in 'Softball Forum' started by SBall08, May 20, 2009.

Page 5 of 7
  1. May 26, 2009 at 6:39 AM #41
    cheeze105

    cheeze105 Moderator Staff Member

    Age:
    70
    Posts:
    3,960
    Likes Received:
    3
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Location:
    gastonia, nc
    the two pictures posted by jj of the blond girl pitching are taylor grigg from hunter huss. i can tell you that my dd, who is trying to teach taylor, went to great lengths to prove to her that keeping that foot planted actually increased her speed and accuracy. it took a while, but she proved it to her. the problem as i see it is that someone has taught them early in their career that this is how you're supposed to pitch. now some of these photos that have been posted here are probably walk-ups, a drill that most use, so you cant judge pitching always by the pictures you see. now taylor was warned once during the year, and worked hard to become legal as the ump see's it. some of the mounds that she had to pitch off of this year were horrible with a large drop off in front of the mound. most girls are taught to "explode" off the mound and to them it translates to replanting to help get the hips through....my daughter says its just poor mechanics with the hips coming in late. this is another subject that will always be discussed as there are so many different people teaching girls to pitch, each with their own idea as to what is legal. but in our discussions, try to discuss in general, and not dub a pitcher personally.
     
  2. May 26, 2009 at 7:35 AM #42
    nc2aump

    nc2aump Full Access Member

    Posts:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2003
    As for the pitcher gains no more speed might be an accurate statement when it relates to mph, but when it relates to the reaction time of the hitters, this is drastically reduced and therefore, the pitcher is gaining an advantage. When a rule states that a pitcher is pitching from 40 feet, or 43 feet, this does not mean start at 40 or 43 feet and actually pitch from 37 or 40 feet respectively.
     
  3. May 26, 2009 at 7:48 AM #43
    cheeze105

    cheeze105 Moderator Staff Member

    Age:
    70
    Posts:
    3,960
    Likes Received:
    3
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Location:
    gastonia, nc
    agree!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  4. May 26, 2009 at 8:44 AM #44
    rsb1999

    rsb1999 Full Access Member

    Posts:
    149
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    So if they push off and the back foot stays connected to the ground but are in front of the rubber when they release, legal or illegal?
     
  5. May 26, 2009 at 9:10 AM #45
    nc2aump

    nc2aump Full Access Member

    Posts:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2003
    A pitcher must start with both feet in contact with the pitching rubber, with half of her pivot foot ont the rubber. The pitch begins when the hands come together, the pitcher may stride towards home plate, within the 24" width of the pitcher's plate. The pitcher's pivot foot MUST remain in contact with the ground. To answer your question, if her pivot remains in contact with the ground, she is legal.
     
  6. May 26, 2009 at 9:25 AM #46
    softballphreak

    softballphreak Full Access Member

    Posts:
    1,749
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2006
    I know it's accepted that dragging the foot is ok before releasing the ball but it seems to me that if the rule were strictly interpreted that the ball should be released before the foot left the rubber.

    Maybe we can apply the same rule on the bases. We could drag the foot until the pitcher releases the ball. jk
     
  7. May 26, 2009 at 9:42 AM #47
    rsb1999

    rsb1999 Full Access Member

    Posts:
    149
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    So if she is 2 feet in front of the rubber, but pivot foot stays in contact with the ground, where is this nasty advantage of the leaper? If the pitcher leaped then started her arm motion yes, that would be like a walk up, but I've never seen that one. Seems to me you would gain more speed by staying in contact with the ground and the batter would be at the same or more disadvantage because the ball is still being released in front of the 40'-43' rubber.
     
  8. May 26, 2009 at 10:01 AM #48
    Dukedog4

    Dukedog4 Full Access Member

    Posts:
    800
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2005
    Leaping: Not a problem in college if . . .

    Leaping is, essentially, universally accepted in college ball so long as the leap is essential horizontal, the toe of the pivot foot is pointed down and there is no replant. I have never seen a college pitcher called for leaping (and I've watched a leaper throw lots of innings).

    Ironically, the violation most commonly called is failing to keep the non-pivot foot prior on the rubber. Why? Because it occurs prior to pitch and is relatively easy for the field ump to see. The bottom line is that if a pitcher is leaping as described above and is successful there is no reason change her.

    As for the "lane rule" watch Christy Hamilton of UGA make a mockery of it beginning Thursday in the WCWS.
     
  9. May 26, 2009 at 10:10 AM #49
    nc2aump

    nc2aump Full Access Member

    Posts:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2003
    The logic behind this, is that when a pitcher maintains contact with the ground, her stride might be, let's say 5ft, this would mean she actually releases the pitch from about 38ft (when starting from 43ft). If she is allowed to leap or replant her pivot foot in front of the pitcher's plate; let's say 24" in front of the pitcher's plate, then she would be releasing the pitch from 36ft. And this is a definite advantage.
     
  10. May 26, 2009 at 10:11 AM #50
    rsb1999

    rsb1999 Full Access Member

    Posts:
    149
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    Lane Rule

    I saw quite a few stepping well beyond the lane this past week. I think it was the Georgia Tech pitcher.
     
Page 5 of 7

Share This Page