NCAA Pitching Rule Changes

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Oct 1, 2015
22
3
Found out about this recently, but it has been under the radar, so wanted to make sure people were aware of it.

The stride foot no longer has to be in contact with the plate at the start of a pitch:

10.2.1.1 Any part of each foot in contact with the ground or pitcher’s plate must be completely within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate.The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher’s plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not step back any farther to increase the distance behind the pitcher’s plate


I have heard that all youth associations have either made or are making the change for the new year.

 

inumpire

Observer, but has an opinion
Oct 31, 2014
277
43
Not really been under the radar. Has been public for quite a while now. Just probably wasn’t in the newspaper.

all or most of the youth association will be hosting there annual meetings this month or next, and it may or may not be addressed. Depend if it is brought in a rule change. NFHS have already made their changes for the 2020 season.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
NFHS already allows the stride foot to be behind the rubber ... (Circa the 2016 book)

EBB812D7-774E-4E57-BC00-9533ABC5F6B6.jpeg
... and a step to be taken ...
B54E6777-2795-4EDB-9515-48869539A49A.jpeg

PGF uses NFHS with a few exceptions, this being one of them:
7373DDB7-B41A-4E7F-A9A3-AE346C92BF75.jpeg

USSSA and USA Softball both also (currently) require both feet to be in contact with the pitcher’s plate.

Personal opinion that I have stated before: NCAA changed rules in an effort to address perceived “walkthrough” pitching ... and then allows the pitcher to get an extra step.
 

inumpire

Observer, but has an opinion
Oct 31, 2014
277
43
How can say it is an extra step? first motion has to be forward??
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
OK, technically a longer stride to build momentum, not an actual “extra step” ... tomayto tomahto ... it accomplishes the same thing.

I don’t care, I am just finding some of their rationale for changes to be peculiar.
 
Feb 25, 2018
350
43
For the orgs that use it, I wish "appear to take a signal" was defined more clearly. What type of signal? A finger and a location from the catcher takes a different amount of time than a coach calling out "3-5-7" and the pitcher looking at their armband.

Would be easier for umpires to calibrate what is and isn't an illegal pitch.
 
Oct 1, 2015
22
3
This was called at a PGF game I was recently at, and they called the UIC to ask if the rule had changed yet.

The UIC said they haven't changed the rule yet, only because they haven't removed the exception listed above by TMIB from all their literature, but plan to as soon as they can get that done. Don't know how true that is.

I posted the new rule, because I really think it will change how pitchers are taught in lessons this fall and going forward, in order to maximize drive.

The NFHS rule never really affected anyone, because you couldn't really teach that way at younger ages, and expect 2 different behaviors. It's easy to learn to be legal and then move your foot back for extra oomph, but harder to learn with your foot back then narrow your stance.
 
Oct 1, 2015
22
3
At NFCA it was announced that PGF, USA and USSSA will allow pitchers to have their back foot OFF the pitchers’ plate in 2020. PGF will use NCAA 2020 rules which permit starting with rear foot behind the rubber but do not allow the pitcher to step back. USA will use high school rules which allow pitchers to step back after presenting.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,481
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top