Illegal pitching, acceptable !?!

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Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
It makes no difference how they throw compared to others. The bottom line is that for most they are unable to throw at all unless they do so illegally. In the case of Miss Barnhill when she does throw legally it is substantially slower than when she leaps.

I agree and really wasn't very clear during my posting on this. Just trying to make the point to stay on task (the legal task) and your DD will reach higher than those who do it illegally. It is tempting (at least it has been for me) to teach a replant but I haven't and won't because the Jake's of the world who do it right have found themselves leading their D1 schools to victory. They are the role models I want my DD to follow.
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
Yes,....and the world IS flat too..... (an equally valid statement)

But back on topic => In a world that idolizes gangsters and ignores criminals in our countries leadership it is completely understandable that this continues to be allowed.

RB, we have always been pretty much on the same page on the illegal pitching aspect and how a replant for example DOES (IMHO) benefit. However, my point was that even with those benefits that an illegal skippy can get it does not make them surpass the best legal pitchers out there.

Show me a illegal pitcher faster than Ueno, Abbott, Rickets, Traina, etc. and I will gladly subscribe to your world is flat theory. Until then, I am comfortable sailing with Christopher Columbus.
 
Sep 18, 2012
94
0
A, A
My daughter got tired of me showing her the video of the no.1 on her team pitching with a illegal replant and decided to up her velocity and do it too! I mean they never call it anyhow! Got her a scholarship!!
 
Jun 19, 2014
846
43
Raleigh,NC
My daughter got tired of me showing her the video of the no.1 on her team pitching with a illegal replant and decided to up her velocity and do it too! I mean they never call it anyhow! Got her a scholarship!!

Very interesting…If a lot of girls doing it, then why not change the rules?
 
Dec 7, 2011
2,368
38
RB, we have always been pretty much on the same page on the illegal pitching aspect and how a replant for example DOES (IMHO) benefit. However, my point was that even with those benefits that an illegal skippy can get it does not make them surpass the best legal pitchers out there.

Show me a illegal pitcher faster than Ueno, Abbott, Rickets, Traina, etc. and I will gladly subscribe to your world is flat theory. Until then, I am comfortable sailing with Christopher Columbus.

Ah,.. gotcha. I didn't read it that way originally. That's an interesting argument you make then. Why aren't all the skippies flooding-out the top ranks of pitching?

In contrast I would be curious about the men's league (which I know nothing about except for the fact that skipping is legal and they "all" do it there). => Do any men's league pitchers "choose" to not crow-hop and still compete at the highest level???
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
90% of the IP's I've ever seen called have been for benign things like having hands together when steeping on the plate, then bringing them apart and back together again before starting to deliver the pitch.
Silly things like THAT will get called 9 times out of 10, but illegal moves like leaps and second-impulse crow hops consistently go un-called.

So far in 10U I've seen one illegal pitch called and it was for not having full contact on the rubber. I didn't even notice (it was the other team pitching). But I bet half the pitchers I've seen in our age group pitch illegally in one way or another, usually the crow hop, and they never call that. I've often wondered if nobody's going to call out the crow hop why they don't just change the rules. Seems pointless to have a rule that never gets enforced.
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
Ah,.. gotcha. I didn't read it that way originally. That's an interesting argument you make then. Why aren't all the skippies flooding-out the top ranks of pitching?

In contrast I would be curious about the men's league (which I know nothing about except for the fact that skipping is legal and they "all" do it there). => Do any men's league pitchers "choose" to not crow-hop and still compete at the highest level???[/QUOTE

I hear what you are saying and it is a good point you make RB. I would only say that since it is legal that the men take 110% full advantage of it versus on the girls side they have to "cover it up" to a degree so it is somewhat disguised. In other words, they can't go all out or it would look like the men and get called. Not a great answer I know and I definitely hear what you are saying.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Slightly off topic: This weekend at the WA State 12U ASA Tournament, we watched a pitcher get called for crow hopping/leaping (and maybe quick pitching.) Instead of getting distracted/flustered, she immediately adjusted by switching to step-style and blazed down the next two batters with a smile! It was a treat to watch her adjust and do her job. Props to the Explosion 12U pitcher!
 
Last edited:
May 8, 2013
42
6
. . . So, I can feel good to say that learn it the right way and make the most out of it. Sure, you will see others doing it illegally but the legal mechanics still have the opportunity to produce the biggest bang for the buck. Illegal mechanics will catch up with you somewhere. You can definitely get to the top of YOUR game doing it the right way.

I sleep better at night now and I am glad I finally came to this realization. Perhaps I am wrong but after years of looking at this I feel fairly confident I am correct. Hope it helps!

I, too, used to get frustrated watching illegal pitchers get away with side arming or crow hopping. I had the faulty notion that somehow it gave them an advantage over my DD who was taught by a PC who insisted on proper mechanics. Once I realized that it truly didn't amount to better speed or spin I took it for what it was - a girl trying to be effective despite improper training. In the end, pitch for pitch, I know that for recruiting purposes, my DD ends up with the edge.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
It makes no difference how they throw compared to others. The bottom line is that for most they are unable to throw at all unless they do so illegally. In the case of Miss Barnhill when she does throw legally it is substantially slower than when she leaps.

One of the problems with illegal pitching is it takes someone like Kelly Barnhill for coaches to get upset about it. If she was throwing 60 MPH no one would care if she crow hops.
 

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