Pitching speeds from Champions Showcase skills challenge in Marietta, GA Nov 2012

[SoCalASABlue]

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.

 

[JAD]

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.

Auburn lost to Houston in last years WCWS, and the winning run scored on an IP, so I am sure that pitcher thought there were consequences! LOL

Auburn Softball Falls To Houston, 2-1 In NCAA Austin Regional - AuburnTigers.com - Auburn University Official Athletic Site

 

[SoCalASABlue]

Auburn lost to Houston in last years WCWS, and the winning run scored on an IP, so I am sure that pitcher thought there were consequences! LOL

Auburn Softball Falls To Houston, 2-1 In NCAA Austin Regional - AuburnTigers.com - Auburn University Official Athletic Site

Good...and I'm sure the Auburn coaching staff groused and complained "how can you do that at this level?" when the question should be "coach, how can you let your pitcher pitch illegally at this level?"...

 

[RubberBiscuit]

Then there is Sara Nevins. Another example of a kid that is very talented but gosh darn it WHY was she allowed to go through TB, college signing, and get to the World Series, as a "skippy" like that?!?!?

I really feel for these kids. You could see it in Nevins eyes as she looked like an antelope being brought down by the pack of tigers..... (But don't get me wrong, I support that the rules are the rules!!)

I would LOVE to get some responses back from the kids parents and then mostly the college coaches who look past the crow-hopping - all setting the kid up for failure......

 

[starsnuffer]

There aren't any good role models as coaches. Mike Candrea is a good example. Everyone, including myself, admires the man, his coaching ability, and what he has done for the sport. However, very few of the pitchers on the Olympic teams are legal by today's standards. This trend continued with Mowatt and Fowler. If he doesn't care, why should anyone else?

-W

 

[Amy in AZ.]

You have to really understand what leaping and replanting is, to even know your gal is illegal. D1 coaches, aside, very few normal parents can pick out an illegal pitch. But, once it is pointed out to you (the parent) it is your responsibility to work with your DD. I saw a 13yo, last night - step back off the rubber (legal in federation) and then stride forward, re-plant and pitch. She threw hard, but that was about it. My "steady eddy" student beat her soundly.

But, if only a parent is working with her, she probably looked pretty good to mom and dad.

 

[RubberBiscuit]

Then Mike Candrea needs to reevaluate what he is helping to support in this sport. He needs to look deeply into the eyes of a completely dejected 17yr old pitcher when she finally is told by the umpires that she can't pitch legally.

If I remember correctly Fowler was getting dinged pretty regularly for a while there with leaping. (which in my opinion is MUCH less an infraction than the skipping "I'll throw 6 feet closer than you" crow-hoppers......)

 

[lhowser]

As a different point of discussion other that the replant I for one am most curious as to how she generates speeds of 68 - 70. Anyone know how big she is?

Pitches to the outside edge seem to be the highest velocity.

What happens in the Kinetic Chain that allows this player to throw 67-70 when most of her peers at the showcase were 6 mph slower. That is a secret sauce I would like the recipe for.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

It is reported that she is 5'8". I think I read her weight - 150ish. I remember because she is almost exactly my size.

 

[RubberBiscuit]

If you look at all the good "skippy's" they all get their recoil set up HUGE. They appear to get so "open" that their belly-buttons face 2nd base!

I am not suggesting this IS the reason for faster "skippy's" but I can't find any other clue.

I noticed that the faster "vertically-challenged" pitchers out there that I have seen in my nation-wide travelling all seem to be skippy's.