2020 Softball Pitching Rule Changes Discussed - Amanda Scarborough

[STRIKE3]

I came across this on twitter.

 

[djcarter1966]

good stuff as always from Amanda...the variablity of step back is something interesting it could lead to inconsistencies if your foot doesn't step back into the same place each time

 

[uncdrew]

Yeah, one more moving piece is problematic.

But if it helps with the load, timing, speed... hard not to incorporate.

 

[Tatonka]

Overall, good explanation of the new rule(s). Not sure if it's going to be the big boon to everyone as Amanda (and many others) automatically believe but it's a "step" in the right direction IMHO. The start back rule is welcomed for my DD as she does get a strong push from that stance and can quickly get out and off the rubber (we believe it helps her sequence and the timing to FS resistance and release). Additionally, she would occasionally get called for an IP due to her foot losing contact with the back of the rubber. It was usually only an inch or two off and easily corrected but now that issue will be gone!

 

[Hillhouse]

good stuff as always from Amanda...the variablity of step back is something interesting it could lead to inconsistencies if your foot doesn't step back into the same place each time

Huh? Not sure I follow you on this one. I've never had an issue with my foot not going to the same spot each time.

I posted this on a Facebook forum today:

Long post warning, read at your own risk. NEW PITCHING RULES PRO's AND CON's.... Ok, there have been countless topics started of the new rules in all of the alphabet soups (ASA/USA, PGF, USSSA, etc). Since they all decided to enter the 21st Century with allowing a pitching rule change in the first place, it will still boggle my mind why they couldn't have a conference call to make it uniformed across the board. It's beyond ridiculous. At least the old rules, antiquated as they were, were mostly uniformed. The obvious difference is leaping is LEGAL in international softball, illegal in North American organizations. I still believe that will change too and allow pitchers to leap in time, but at the very least this is a step in the right direction. And before anyone decries about how unfair that would be and that would be cheating, etc. just keep that in mind as you buy a $500 composite bat to hit a polycore softball. These things have changed offenses, now it's time to give the pitchers a little love. Want the old pitching rules? Fine. Go back to cork balls and wood bats so your 90lbs slapper can't hit it 250 feet. Anyway, I digress. As some of you know, I never played baseball, I grew up pitching fastpitch softball. At 12 years old I pitched in men's leagues because there was no youth fastpitch for boys. And I learned to pitch using the "step back" rule. When I turned 18 I played my 1st season internationally and had to pitch with the 2 feet on the rubber rules. I cannot put into words how hard this was to do. Going from starting with my feet apart and gaining momentum to keeping 2 feet together and generating power a different way was like learning to pitch left handed. A good 3 months into that international season, I got the hang of it and went on to pitch 9 more seasons overseas, constantly changing from the North America's liberal men's fastpitch rules to those of International softball which were quite restrictive. Thankfully most girls are going to learn the opposite way I did, going from the HARDER version of 2 feet on the rubber to now being allowed to step back or at least start back. As parents, coaches, and Pitching coaches who've never experienced this before here's what to expect: once the timing is found, advantages of this take effect and she gets used to it, your pitchers speed should increase considerably. 70mph that you see by a small percentage in college and Olympics will now be much more obtainable by "very good" pitchers, not just great ones. This rule provides momentum and leverage for a much more powerful release. When used correctly, she shouldn't simply push off the rubber anymore, she should BUST or EXPLODE off it. And since power in pitching is primarily in the legs, look for your radar guns to see a jump. However, with the good comes the bad. If there is a con in this rule change it's pitchers can have a big tendency to OVERTHROW with all that extra power. This can and does result in throwing a lot of pitches missing their target high in the zone. Missing high/low is a timing issue and her timing will be thrown off by this!! As a bi-product of overthrowing, movement pitches will flatten out. A good dropball will hang down the middle, a rise won't have the same effect, etc. These are issues that can be worked out and adjusted in time. But the initial instinct is going to be to throw the ball as absolutely hard as possible which can be counterproductive. Coaches need to remind pitchers that they already have extra power now from the step back and not fall into the bear trap of overthrowing so the ball flattens. Remind her she only has to throw 80mph, not 100.. Taking a little off, removing muscle from the pitch will help get the timing back and movement to reappear. Remember there's no cookie cutter approach to this, there is a such thing as stepping back TOO far, and not stepping back enough. One will throw off your balance and the other negates the effect of the rule change. She has to find her foot placement herself and what's comfortable. Merry Christmas everyone.

Bill

 

[texasheat]

Great stuff Bill. Merry Christmas to you.

 

[BlaineAB]

Would be nice if they let them leap.

 

[Rick M]

Huh? ... I've never had an issue with my foot not going to the same spot each time.

This puzzled me a little as well in Amanda's video. The whole pitching motion is hitting a series of 'spots,' if you're off on anything from backswing to landing spot to release point, the pitch will be off. The step-back is just one more spot to hit. It may take some time for the muscle memory to develop, but as Bill said, every pitcher will develop their own rhythm.

Thanks for the lengthy take, I'm looking forward to seeing what DD can do with a little extra momentum.

 

[The Man In Blue]

Good basic summary and excellent call out to know what rule set you are playing as they are “in line” but not exactly matched.

I may be wrong, but I see these changes helping newer pitchers much more than already advanced pitchers.