Changes to pitching rules regarding back foot

[Fury_Mike]

Can someone summarize the changes?

USA/ASA and PGF correct?

Elite Select?

Thoughts in the benefits to the pitcher?

 

[The Man In Blue]

I have not seen the new 2020 USA book yet. I don’t think it usually comes out until after the first of the year, so I don’t know if anybody can confirm anything there yet.

I summarized the NFHS changes in that thread. PGF generally follows that.

 

[The Man In Blue]

I should have searched first ...the USA Softball rules changes document was issued 12/5/19. https://www.teamusa.org/-/media/USA...hash=B23ACF9AD0A1DFA9DDCB7501D3D1FE0F38A67DD3

Here are the pitching changes:

 

[marriard]

-- SARCASM ON --

I would like to thank the various rules committees for solving an issue that didn't exist while continuing to once again ignore actual issues with the pitching rules.

-- SARCASM OFF --

I have no idea why allowing stepping back is now being added at any level. It doesn't make the USA in line with international rules and it continue to not address the leaping issue/illegal pitching. In all the years in softball I have never heard a single person say "The problem with pitching is we don't allow stepping back anymore"

Who exactly was pushing for this?

 

[obritt]

-- SARCASM ON --

I would like to thank the various rules committees for solving an issue that didn't exist while continuing to once again ignore actual issues with the pitching rules.

-- SARCASM OFF --

I have no idea why allowing stepping back is now being added at any level. It doesn't make the USA in line with international rules and it continue to not address the leaping issue/illegal pitching. In all the years in softball I have never heard a single person say "The problem with pitching is we don't allow stepping back anymore"

Who exactly was pushing for this?

I would bet the men in blue pushed for it. In my area with us playing USSSA umpires caught flack a lot when pitchers non pivot toe on rubber or touching back of rubber rocked back and foot left rubber. Hard to see, they say so flat say they won't enforce. Did see today USSSA was adopting this rule.

 

[marriard]

I would bet the men in blue pushed for it. In my area with us playing USSSA umpires caught flack a lot when pitchers non pivot toe on rubber or touching back of rubber rocked back and foot left rubber. Hard to see, they say so flat say they won't enforce. Did see today USSSA was adopting this rule.

As one of the 'men in blue' and one that is fairly connected across a resonable number of sanctions, I have never heard any of my fellow umpires push for this in any way.

 

[obritt]

Not nocking umpires in any way. Umpired High School myself 30 years ago and understand you can't see it all. Myself just glad to see all sanctions getting on the same page to help out girls playing both School and TB.

 

[The Man In Blue]

Don’t throw me under the bus! Oh, that was plural ...

In my time as an umpire, I have seen many changes to pitching rules. I don’t think any of those changes actually addressed a problem that was happening.

Like @marriard , I have never heard a fellow umpire say “I can’t tell if she is touching or not. If they would just let her step backwards, this would all be fixed.”

It seems to me softball is going the way of baseball on pitching ... just start tossing out rules and let the pitchers do just about anything they want to do.

IMO, the biggest travesty is taking away the base award for runners on an illegal pitch.

 

[Fury_Mike]

I would bet the men in blue pushed for it. In my area with us playing USSSA umpires caught flack a lot when pitchers non pivot toe on rubber or touching back of rubber rocked back and foot left rubber. Hard to see, they say so flat say they won't enforce. Did see today USSSA was adopting this rule.

Where did you hear USSSA was going to adapt it? Not challenging what you said, I’ve just not been able to confirm it. My hope is that everyone aligns. As an instructor, having multiple methods would be a pain

 

[obritt]

Posted today on the USSSA officials face book page as online revisions to be official January 1rst and will be in the next years printed rule book. Also Enhanced the rule on deliberately dropping or rolling a pitch to the plate. First offense team warning second is player restriction/coach ejection.