Pitcher step backward...legal?

Ajaywill said:

As Comp mentioned, the backward step in HS is legal as long as it happens prior to the hands coming together.

It was mentioned that most pitchers who played more than HS wouldn't use the backward step because it wasn't legal anywhere else. This is what I had observed for a long time, however, I have noticed in the last few years that some pitchers are using the backward step or starting with one foot behind the pitchers plate in HS. It does have an advantage as it allows the pitcher to create some additional drive on their push off and could give them some additional speed.

I did an ASA tournament a few years back the week after HS season ended and I had to call an illegal pitch on the first pitch of the game because the pitcher stepped back....i got about halfway to her to explain what I called...she just looked and said... I know....HS season is over. She then pitcher the rest of the game perfectly legal.

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I agree and there is a LEGAL advantage in LL and HS ball. Think about it for a second, how many DFPers use Java's 2-step and Pushback drill? When you do them don't you feel that extra momentum, your DD throws with some extra velocity, etc. etc. They are awesome drills. Now legally modify those drills into LL or HS ball and you have extra momentum IMO.

I understand why many are taught to do it one way (both feet on rubber) and it so they can pitch legally anywhere under any rule set. However, my experience is that a pitcher can easily make the adjustment if they have experience with Java's drills. And if they do, why not take advantage of it? Just my two cents.

I thought DD to step back, when she was under a lot of stress the step back came back.

Comp said:

Might be, dont do little LL and dont bother with it. Its rules are baseball based and there are a lot of major differences.

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I don't understand this post; you "don't bother" with LL, don't know the pitching rules, but feel comfortable commenting that their rules are "baseball based (?) and there are a lot of major differences"? This is actually one of the few major differences I can think of where LL seriously varies from ASA.

parrot said:

I don't understand this post; you "don't bother" with LL, don't know the pitching rules, but feel comfortable commenting that their rules are "baseball based (?) and there are a lot of major differences"? This is actually one of the few major differences I can think of where LL seriously varies from ASA.

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I dont bother keeping up with LL rules since I dont work their games. But, since you brought it up I did look up the major differences in rules between LL and ASA/NFHS.

Illegal Pitch, LL is ball only, runners do not advance. (I am seeing some conflicting information on this. In one place it says ball only, in another it says the rule has been changed to include advance the runners. Not sure which is correct.)
Substitutions, Only starters may re-enter the game.
Appeals, LL only allows for live ball appeals.
Conferences, LL allows 3 per game per pitcher, limited to 2 per inning per pitcher.
Pitcher substituted for may not return to pitch.
LL uses a DH, not DP/Flex
Batter interference, LL is not an immediate dead ball and batter is only out if the runner is not out. If runner is safe, batter is out and runner returns to base occupied at time of pitch.
Obstruction, LL uses Type A and Type B obstruction. Baseball rule.

Comp said:

Step back is legal only in NFHS, and must be done prior to the hands coming together. Every other rule set I am aware of requires both feet to be in contact with the pitching plate and no step back is allowed.

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My DD got called for an illegal pitch a couple times this year in HS when she dropped her stride foot heel (toes still on rubber) and I knew they were saying or thinking she was taking a step rearward. I knew it was legal to take a step rearward so I knew it had to be something about when the hands come together. I would just holler out "she's not stepping off the rubber... she's just dropping her heel and it wouldn't get called the rest of the game. She always played competitive/travel ball but now that she's been using Java's push-back drill... I think I'm going to incorporate the step rearward for her senior year of HS.

Again I would be careful.

DD did not do it for a long time but 1 particular game was a mess, one of my softball regrets is that we did not quit, and she started stepping back again which was illegal the rules we were playing.

FWIW, New York State Public High School Athletic Association uses ASA rules.

Also, everyone using NFHS rules can modify them, so it's possible some state(s) require keeping both feet in contact with the rubber. I suspect LL is/was a factor in why NFHS does not require contact with both feet.

SoCal_Dad said:

FWIW, New York State Public High School Athletic Association uses ASA rules.

Also, everyone using NFHS rules can modify them, so it's possible some state(s) require keeping both feet in contact with the rubber. I suspect LL is/was a factor in why NFHS does not require contact with both feet.

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I have been told the main reason that NFHS allows the pitcher to start with one foot off of the pitchers plate is that it is easier to pitch that way. One of the prime incentives for NFHS rules is student athlete participation. Their reasoning is that by making pitching easier, it will allow more students to participate in interscholastic sports.

I tried to teach the no step back but had a pitcher from last year insist that an ump told her she MUST take a step back or the pitch is not legal. Guess who the girls chose to believe?

Ajaywill said:

I have been told the main reason that NFHS allows the pitcher to start with one foot off of the pitchers plate is that it is easier to pitch that way. One of the prime incentives for NFHS rules is student athlete participation. Their reasoning is that by making pitching easier, it will allow more students to participate in interscholastic sports.

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I've heard that story too, however it doesn't explain by itself why NFHS adopted it - it is so minor compared to all the other rules pitchers have to follow. I believe NFHS adopted it because a significant number pitchers were already used to playing that way (e.g. LL).