Getting the Crow Hop call from a blue

Aint ever gonna happen. I can only recall a coach getting that call once and that was in the late 1800's (WAY back anyway).

Here is what you want to do to get an IP for that pitcher.

NEVER SAY THE WORDS 'CROW HOP'.

Tell the blue you think she is illegal because she is taking two steps in her motion, you are only allowed one.

If the pivot foot comes forward first, even just slightly, that is a step. THEN if the stride foot comes forward, that is a 2nd step and that is not allowed.

A foot coming forward and touching down is considered a step.

If the FU sees one foot come forward and then the other before the ball is released, IP for taking 2 steps.

Present that to them. They cannot deny that the pivot foot moves forward and then the stride foot for two steps. They WILL make that call because it is not an opinion or even them using their judgement, They can easily make and defend the call based on what EVERYONE sees happens with the feet.



I have suggested that to coaches during games and they always won the call.

If the pitcher does not break contact with the pitching plate, it is perfectly legal for them to slide the pivot foot forward toward the batter. It is not considered a step.

ASA Rule 6-3-I

Comp said:

If the pitcher does not break contact with the pitching plate, it is perfectly legal for them to slide the pivot foot forward toward the batter. It is not considered a step.

ASA Rule 6-3-I

Click to expand...

If the pivot foot does not come forward of the rubber, there would have never been the question 'Did she just Crow Hop?'

"If the pivot foot comes forward first, even just slightly, that is a step. THEN if the stride foot comes forward, that is a 2nd step and that is not allowed."


You did not specify if the foot broke contact with the pitching plate or not, your statement said, "if the pivot foot comes forward, even just slightly". I was merely pointing out that as long as contact is not broken, sliding the foot forward is not considered a step and is perfectly legal.

So are you suggesting that the rule should be that the pivot foot stays on the rubber the whole time (i.e. not allowed to drag along the ground)?

Comp said:

If the pitcher does not break contact with the pitching plate, it is perfectly legal for them to slide the pivot foot forward toward the batter. It is not considered a step.

ASA Rule 6-3-I

Click to expand...

Come to think about it, I dont think I have ever seen a pitcher that slid their foot forward and kept contact with the rubber in the process; they always picked it up and set it down a little farther ahead and that is illegal also.

Man, ya try and fudge a little and they are all over ya like stink on poop!

SoCalSoftballdad said:

So are you suggesting that the rule should be that the pivot foot stays on the rubber the whole time (i.e. not allowed to drag along the ground)?

Click to expand...

Pretty sure that rule was placed for the pitchers that slide their foot to the side on the rubber. He is correct, I didNOT specify it coming forward of the rubber. Assumption that everyone knew, my bad.

The way the rule, as quoted above, is worded, it would seem to me that it in practice it would be impossible to "not break contact with rubber" while simultaneously sliding the pivot foot forward. I think it is an implied rule that maintaining contact with the rubber includes drag the pivot foot forward "off of" the rubber but still in contact with the ground. At least that is they way I have always understood it.

As follow-up, if this is the intent of the rule to always maintain contact with the rubber period, than pitching speed would be dramatically reduced since pitchers would not be able to take such huge strides forward (i.e. they would lose contact with rubber from pivot foot). Interesting. Would make for more hitting maybe!

The foot can drag away from the pitching plate during the delivery. And some pitchers do slide the foot forward on the plate just prior to delivery, others slide it to the side. The pitching rules are to long to try and type verbatim.