illegal pitches?

[Dabears17]

Why do you ever want to complain about the other team (as a coach) to the umpire?

Poorly worded. As a coach, I never "complained" or brought "leaping" to the attention of an umpire. A couple times I may have asked an umpire to keep an eye on the other team's baserunners if they were significantly "leaving early". I found if I quietly asked an umpire to look for something they were receptive. I've also seen coaches ask umpires to keep an eye on "leaving early" or "leaping" and get their team called for it.

 

[LRH1969]

Do doctored balls provide an advantage? Leaping does not provide a meaningful advantage.

We are all in agreement they should enforce the rule since it's a rule. What I can tell you from observing and playing against all types of pitchers is that it doesn't affect the outcome of the game.

Have a word with the umpire or tournament director if you want. Tip your cap to the pitcher. She beat you.

lol...not me, I had nothing to do with the game other than watching. And that first part of your statement is opinion and debateable. If no advantage why do it.

 

[Dabears17]

lol...not me, I had nothing to do with the game other than watching. And that first part of your statement is opinion and debateable. If no advantage why do it.

A lot of the time leaping is the result of poor mechanics, leading to inefficiencies. Rick Pauly kindly did a 7 minute analysis of why my DD was leaping. My DD was bringing her glove arm down too soon, before her pitching arm reached 12 o'clock. This was causing an equal and opposite reaction, which was pulling her pivot foot into the air. She was also getting too open and keeping her arms too straight. She was trying to explode too much off the pitching plate and getting off balance. She fixed most of those issues, stopped leaping, and picked up 3 to 4 mph.

The game she was called for leaping in was about two weeks after Rick did the analysis, so she was still leaping a little bit at that point.

What my experience has been is the pitchers who gain an advantage are actually replanting.

 

[flash277]

I knew of the USA rule, but not the USSSA rule. The tournament we were at was a Perfect Game tournament and it was illegal.

ART 42. Leap Sec 1. A leap is an illegal pitch where the pitcher’s pivot foot fails to slide/drag on the ground and becomes airborne on the initial drive from the pitcher’s plate.

It would be great if all sanctions used the same rules, for one thing you'd get much better umpiring.

 

[Dabears17]

It would be great if all sanctions used the same rules, for one thing you'd get much better umpiring.

I've seen some conjecture that within 2 to 3 years, NCAA and NFHS/PGF will allow leaping as well, while still out-lawing crow hopping.

I've only vaguely heard of "Perfect Game". It doesn't appear to have reached the west coast yet.

 

[radness]

I agree somewhat. But I can tell you, when she did try to be legal, she threw balls, missed spots and walked a few and kids got some hits. When she was illegal, 60 plus mph fastballs all day long at 14u level. I just think all should have to adhere to the rules and I like consequences, but thats just me.

Everyone has to adhere to the officials officiating.
However that is applied rules or not.

I am offering a suggestion of what to focus on while in the game
and can't do anything about the officiating
* and that would be hit the ball.

 

[radness]

Sure it could! Take the illegal pitcher out of the game, and its a whole different scenario.

You are assuming that a pitcher who doesn't leap won't do a better job...
Or at least equal.

 

[Dabears17]

You are assuming that a pitcher who doesn't leap won't do a better job...
Or at least equal.

Yup. Game my DD got called for leaping the coach decided to bring her in as the "opener" to steal an inning or two before bringing in the starter because she was still warm from the previous game.

 

[LEsoftballdad]

Bestie..Also I prefer wiseass over snarky.

Potato, Potato. Damn, that doesn't work well in written form.

 

[Mike Hurd]

thats my thinking..............so what would it take to get umps to actually enforce the rule(s)....... Its even worse at high school level.

As an umpire, I can tell you that when we call EVERY single illegal pitch, the coaches go crazy. The fans go crazy. So, we back off a little and maybe call it every few pitches and we get the same craziness from coaches and parents. Just my experience. But, if called every time, pitcher usually corrects or coaches change them out. And I promise, almost, almost, every pitcher and coach know they are illegal but, don't fix it because my brothers and sisters in blue don't call it