Rule on 'California' change up

I have heard this pitch called several different things, a California change up is just the latest.

This is a pitch where the pitcher lets the ball go during her upswing. I have been told two different things and would like to know what the actual rule is.

I was told by one umpire that the pitchers arm cannot go past vertical (passed her shoulder). I was told by another umpire that her arm can go all the way around but cannot go past her hip.

Anyone know which one (if either) is correct?

 

Slip Pitch

Once the pitcher releases the ball, her arm cannot continue past her shoulder. If it does, the pitch is illegal. The hip in this senario has nothing at all to do with the pitch.

 

Great questions

Are you still a student athlete?? If you are, let me say I am very impressed with you wanting to know the proper rules to play by. If you are a student of the game in every aspect, you will go far in this sport. Keep it coming and good luck.

 

Student of the game

Thanks for the clarification nc2aump.

I am actually a coach not an athlete (I played baseball in my younger days). I have been helping coach a middle school softball team and various travel teams in NC for about 5 years and firmly believe in teaching the girls the correct rules (making them students of the game) as much as teaching them how to throw, catch, and play positions.

Thanks again for the answers and thanks to marlinfan1 for turning me on to this message board. It is awesome!

 

I think this is the pitch you are talking about.

http://www.nfhs.org/core/contentmanager/uploads/video/sb/SB_Ephus.wmv

 

I saw this pitch used last year

I then went to the ASA rule book and I could swear that it said, you must have a full rotation before release and then release before the hip (which I believe is where the hip information came in). I dont know where my book is to consult, but I remember reading that. What I dont remember is, if the rule said you must have a full rotation before your release, or if it simply said you must have a full rotation, but not saying when release occured. I cant quite remember. In our case, she didnt throw it often as she was not accurate enough. Its an interesting pitch non the less and it sure was odd to watch.

 

Change-up

I cannot quote the ASA rule book verbatum, but I know for a fact that in all associations, it states that once the ball is released, the hand may not pass by the shoulder. And you cannot say that there must be full rotation before the pitch, because this would rule out the "Slingshot" delivery which is perfectly legal (provided the hand does not pass the shoulder after the release of the pitch.

 

Girl in video is illegal

cmmguy, yes, that is the pitch I am talking about. I love they call it the ephus pitch. That is classic!

However, according to nc2aump, the girl in the video is illegal. After she lets go of the ball, her arm goes all the way around and she acts like she is throwing another pitch (the wrist flick).

 

Illegal

Yeah, If you listen to the audio in that clip, she says that this "Illegal Pitch" must be called by the base umpire.