- May 25, 2018
- 16
- 3
Playing in a 10U open USSSA tournament last night, and the pitcher was doing what appeared to be a “step back”. As coaches we were talking about it during her warm ups, and as the the game started the base ump called time and told her coach she was pitching illegally. The coach was emphatic that it was not illegal and that this exact wind up was allowed at the younger levels. The umpires called the UIC over and after a 10 minute delay they were still unsure and allowed her to continue pitching as she was. Honestly we weren’t going to make an issue about it, knowing our hitters should still be able to catch up to her. I only ask the question so I can understand all the variances in the rule.
So I’ll try to explain how she was pitching. She would take the sign with her hands at her sides and the ball in her hand, both feet on the rubber. She would step back 12inches or so with her stride foot while bringing her hands above her head coming together. At this point she would pause slightly (sometimes) then come forward and pitch.
(1))So is this illegal period? (2)Is it a legal pitch because of the pause at the top making it a “start back”? (3)If this is legal would it still be legal if she started with her hands together at her belly bringing them up together and then pitching? So experts help me out with understanding. Thanks
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So I’ll try to explain how she was pitching. She would take the sign with her hands at her sides and the ball in her hand, both feet on the rubber. She would step back 12inches or so with her stride foot while bringing her hands above her head coming together. At this point she would pause slightly (sometimes) then come forward and pitch.
(1))So is this illegal period? (2)Is it a legal pitch because of the pause at the top making it a “start back”? (3)If this is legal would it still be legal if she started with her hands together at her belly bringing them up together and then pitching? So experts help me out with understanding. Thanks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk