New rules everyone

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Aug 21, 2008
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Well, (patting myself on the back) I predicted it not long ago... the ISF (now known as the WBSC) has changed their pitching rule for Men AND Women to only require one foot on the pitching rubber. Essentially international/Olympic competition will have the same pitching rule as the High School federation.

I will not be long until the NCAA adopts the rule (my prediction) to keep continuity. This is the first step in getting it back to pitcher dominated games where hard work pays off and games aren't lost on a pop fly with a $500 bat and polycore ball.

Don't be surprised if ASA votes it in at the November convention. So travel ball teams may have new pitching rules.

Bill
 
Aug 21, 2008
2,350
113
BULLETIN #1
November 6, 2017

WBSC SOFTBALL MALE AND FEMALE FAST PITCH PITCHING RULE
POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1) Upon the ball being returned to the pitcher (ball in the air on the way back to the pitcher or the catcher in a position to return the ball), the pitcher has 20 seconds to start the pitch.


2) Prior to starting the pitcher, the pitcher, must place the pivot foot on the pitching plate, and with the hands apart, take a signal or appear to take a signal from the catcher.


3) The pitcher must then maintain contact with the pitching plate with the pivot foot and must place the stepping in contact with the pitching plate or behind the pitching plate within the 61 Cm (24 in) of the pitching plate before bring the hands together for the pause.


4) Once the pause has begun, the pivot foot and stepping foot must remain stationary until the start of the pitch. The pause must be held for a minimum of 2 seconds and a maximum of 5 seconds. The pitcher may ask for time during the pause provided the hands remain together or the pitcher steps back off the pitching plate with the hands together.


5) The pitch starts when the pitcher separates the hands or begins any movement that is part of the pitching motion. The pitchers feet may only move forward once the pitch starts.


6) The pitcher may take one step with the leading, non-pivot foot simultaneously with the release of the ball. The step must be forward toward the batter and within the 61.0 cm (24 in) length of the pitcher’s plate. It is not a step if the pitcher slides either foot across the pitcher’s plate, provided contact is maintained with the plate, and there is no movement backward off the plate.


7) The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate, or push off and drag away from the pitcher’s plate or be airborne prior to the stepping (non-pivot) foot touching the ground. The pitcher may leap from the pitchers plate, land and with a continuous motion deliver the ball to the batter. The pivot foot may follow through with the pitcher’s continuous action.
 
Nov 15, 2016
80
6
Well, this should be interesting.

New to the pitching world. Can someone explain why this is so important. Pardon my ignorance. My guess is something about other foot starting off the rubber to drive better?
 
Mar 20, 2015
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Also looks like item 7) allows for the pivot foot to be off the ground: "or be airborne prior to the stepping (non-pivot) foot touching the ground" .
 
Feb 22, 2013
206
18
I thought that ASA and USAA should have made the pitching rule change back when they moved the pitching rubber back to 43' for the 16U and 14U divisions.

Hopefully the NCAA adopts the rule soon.
 

2br02b

Trabant swing
Jul 25, 2017
303
43
Is this happening because it was determined to be easier to get rid of a rule than to enforce it?
 
Sep 30, 2013
155
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Northwest, IN
Can someone explain what all of this means?

Check this link out, it will explain everything to you! Even has pictures to show you! - Pitching Regulation (Fast Pitch Only) Points of Emphasis | WBSC

Edit, although this article is from 2015, I'm pretty sure the pictures are showing you what being described here in 2017

Edit: for some reason link is not showing up as the link intended.

Search: Pitching Regulation (Fast Pitch Only) Points of Emphasis
 
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