Jordyn Bahl

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Jul 19, 2021
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Well, when my daughter went to her she was an HE pitcher, we walked away. That was 15+ years ago. I agree though that leaping is not a thing you teach, you just let them know they don't have to drag anymore.
Yes I think that actively trying to leap is much different than pitching and leaping because you are not worrying about dragging. That's probably a major reason why when a pitcher tries leaping after being a dragging pitcher for their whole life, they lose velo.
 

LEsoftballdad

DFP Vendor
Jun 29, 2021
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NY
Well, when my daughter went to her she was an HE pitcher, we walked away. That was 15+ years ago. I agree though that leaping is not a thing you teach, you just let them know they don't have to drag anymore.
I have never seen her tell a girl to pitch using HE, but she also doesn't use Denny's terminology, either.
 
Dec 11, 2010
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I completely disagree that the cure for this is to encourage the newest umpires in softball to jack with 9 year old pitchers.

What could go wrong.

We need more kids pitching. Not less.
 
May 15, 2008
1,945
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Cape Cod Mass.
I have never seen her tell a girl to pitch using HE, but she also doesn't use Denny's terminology, either.
I spent a good amount of time at the Hofstra field, back then the access to the visitor's bullpen was exceptional. You could look down from the stands at the pitchers, with a direct line of sight from behind the catchers. With nothing but net in front of you. That's probably changed now.
 

sluggers

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Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,134
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Dallas, Texas
Yeah, dragging your foot on the dirt will slow you down more than "dragging" it through the air but the question is how much does the speed of the actual body (and not the arm) actually contribute to pitch speed..I would guess not much

(Just to be clear, we are talking about a leap without a replant.)

I doubt the leap makes any difference. If a girl pushes off and maintains light contact with the ground, then all of leg energy is used to make her go straight toward the hitter.

If she pushes and leaps, then some of leg energy is used to make her airborne. The higher off the ground she leaps, the less energy is used to propel the ball forward.

IMHO, the rules should outlaw crow-hopping and they should forget about the leaping.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,624
113
SoCal
"IMHO, the rules should outlaw crow-hopping and they should forget about the leaping."

This^^^^^^ will just be another can of worms. What determines a crop hop/ replant vs a leap at game speed?
Let the pitchers throw the ball anyway they choose. Rock back, step back, leap and hop. BUT change the rules TODAY, not 2 or 4 years from now. It is not conducive for growing the game to have the buzz be about the rules violation for the next 2 years. I am sure the announcer will be instructed/ asked to not bring it up, but it is the elephant in the room and its not going to go away very easily.
 
Jun 8, 2016
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(Just to be clear, we are talking about a leap without a replant.)

I doubt the leap makes any difference. If a girl pushes off and maintains light contact with the ground, then all of leg energy is used to make her go straight toward the hitter.

If she pushes and leaps, then some of leg energy is used to make her airborne. The higher off the ground she leaps, the less energy is used to propel the ball forward.

IMHO, the rules should outlaw crow-hopping and they should forget about the leaping.
Yeah that makes sense but is there something beneficial, in terms of creating “arm whip”, about mechanics which result in leaping(eg better resistance) ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Jul 31, 2015
761
93
"IMHO, the rules should outlaw crow-hopping and they should forget about the leaping."

This^^^^^^ will just be another can of worms. What determines a crop hop/ replant vs a leap at game speed?
Let the pitchers throw the ball anyway they choose. Rock back, step back, leap and hop. BUT change the rules TODAY, not 2 or 4 years from now. It is not conducive for growing the game to have the buzz be about the rules violation for the next 2 years. I am sure the announcer will be instructed/ asked to not bring it up, but it is the elephant in the room and its not going to go away very easily.

Agree, but the rules can't change on a dime.

Next off-season, rules committee should meet, debate the change, and hopefully come to the conclusion that the best course is to allow pitchers throw any way they want - provided one foot starts on the rubber, they present the ball (no fast pitching), and stay inside a reasonable lane. Then make the change effective the following season, or maybe two seasons later, to allow some time to adapt.

Would be fun to see the result.

*****************************************

In the meantime, man up and enforce the rule as is.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,624
113
SoCal
"Agree, but the rules can't change on a dime."

WHY??? If you're a business owner and you have a problem, you don't say we can't make changes or make decisions but every 2 years. You would not be in business very long. The building is on fire. Well we will decide to call or not call the fire department next off season. Really?? See a problem? Fix a problem.
But I agree if you are too inept to fix the problem, THEN man up and enforce the rule as is.
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,238
113
USA
(Just to be clear, we are talking about a leap without a replant.)

I doubt the leap makes any difference. If a girl pushes off and maintains light contact with the ground, then all of leg energy is used to make her go straight toward the hitter.

If she pushes and leaps, then some of leg energy is used to make her airborne. The higher off the ground she leaps, the less energy is used to propel the ball forward.
Yes, this is what I referred to earlier in this thread when responding to what RiseBall had to say about her lower body mechanics. In Bahl's case she seems to be generating significant ground force and is getting fantastic drive IMHO. If that were directed slightly more forward and less "up" she likely would be getting called for the IP les and probably even gain more speed (assuming she is still getting the timing of her arm circle and brush correct, like she is now).

I'll keep watching but I'm not seeing the replant in her current work?

Someone else had mentioned that a leap could become somewhat of a habit given the trench & dirt right in front of the rubber and I completely agree. That is something that I've discussed with my own DD about not getting caught in the tracks of other pitchers who often have a much different foot path than she does. If you're a heavy dragger being in that ditch will definitely alter your own glide path, accuracy and timing.
 

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