There are no real consequences for an illegal pitcher. Coaches always complain that it's unfair to the pitcher to move every runner on base 60 feet because of an illegal pitch, so pretty soon (if not already) that minor penalty will be taken away and it's just a ball on the batter.
If you really want to do something about illegal pitching - especially since everyone wants it called on the opposing pitcher but not on my team's pitcher - make the penalty IN TOURNAMENT PLAY an automatic walk.
I've seen many a pitcher instantly correct after being called for an IP, which tells me the pitcher knew exactly what she was doing and was simply going to wait to see if IP was called before doing it right. I've seen this in 10U tournament play as well as the older age groups.
Then again, in defense of pitchers, it would be nice if my umpiring brethren would call a legitimate strike zone instead of the little league baseball zone I continue to see at every tournament.
If you really want to do something about illegal pitching - especially since everyone wants it called on the opposing pitcher but not on my team's pitcher - make the penalty IN TOURNAMENT PLAY an automatic walk.
I've seen many a pitcher instantly correct after being called for an IP, which tells me the pitcher knew exactly what she was doing and was simply going to wait to see if IP was called before doing it right. I've seen this in 10U tournament play as well as the older age groups.
Then again, in defense of pitchers, it would be nice if my umpiring brethren would call a legitimate strike zone instead of the little league baseball zone I continue to see at every tournament.