Illegal Pitch Calls

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Dec 18, 2016
163
28
So today during a game, we had one runner on 2nd and batter at the plate. The opposing pitcher had been re-planting by about 6 inches and I had commented once to the FU to watch for it. This particular play our girl hit a shot to the SS and while the SS was making a play, I saw the FU make the Obstruction Call, or at least I thought. Apparently he had made an illegal pitch call and the result of the play was our runner and batter were safe.

The opposing HC went to argue and apparently said one too many things and got tossed. After the game, I was talking to someone from that team and they were complaining that the FU wasn't supposed to be calling IP's...only the PU should be calling IP's. News to me, I thought any of the umps could call an IP?

Any officials want to chime in here?

Thanks
Dave
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Either a FU or PU can call an illegal pitch. What signal did the FU give? It should have been both arms raised with a dead ball, illegal pitch verbalized. Ball awarded to the batter and the runner moved to 3rd base.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Either a FU or PU can call an illegal pitch. What signal did the FU give? It should have been both arms raised with a dead ball, illegal pitch verbalized. Ball awarded to the batter and the runner moved to 3rd base.

No the illegal pitch signal is not both hands over head dead ball. It is left arm out same as obstruction (delayed dead ball signal), verbalize illegal loud enough for players in immediate area to hear and let play continue. After play is over the ball then becomes dead and offensive coach gets choice of result of play or illegal pitch award, ball on batter and all runners advance a base.

Any umpire can call the illegal pitch, in fact each umpire has specific responsibilities when watching for it. The plate umpire has the hands and pitching lane violations to watch for and the field umpire has the feet, pitching plate violations, leaping, rotation of the arm etc. The base umpire in a 2 man system generally is not in a position to see pitching lane violations, but with 3 man sometimes U3 is positioned directly behind the pitcher at 2nd base and then they can also call lane violations.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Either a FU or PU can call an illegal pitch. What signal did the FU give? It should have been both arms raised with a dead ball, illegal pitch verbalized. Ball awarded to the batter and the runner moved to 3rd base.

Not sure when it goes into effect, but it is my understanding that they are modifying the IP rules to just a ball on the batter, no runners advance.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Not sure when it goes into effect, but it is my understanding that they are modifying the IP rules to just a ball on the batter, no runners advance.

Only NCAA has made that change so far. No other rule set I am aware of has yet changed the penalty for the IP
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Have no idea, probably will depend on if the NCAA umpires actually start calling illegal pitches rather than just ignoring them. But, NCAA rules are so far removed from every other softball rule set Im not sure anyone really follows their lead anymore. The last time most rule sets decided to follow their lead we ended up with batters crowding the plate and standing like statues trying to get hit by the pitch. It wasnt real hard to predict the outcome of that rule change.
 
Aug 21, 2011
1,345
38
38°41'44"N 121°9'47.5"W
No the illegal pitch signal is not both hands over head dead ball. It is left arm out same as obstruction (delayed dead ball signal), verbalize illegal loud enough for players in immediate area to hear and let play continue. After play is over the ball then becomes dead and offensive coach gets choice of result of play or illegal pitch award, ball on batter and all runners advance a base.

Any umpire can call the illegal pitch, in fact each umpire has specific responsibilities when watching for it. The plate umpire has the hands and pitching lane violations to watch for and the field umpire has the feet, pitching plate violations, leaping, rotation of the arm etc. The base umpire in a 2 man system generally is not in a position to see pitching lane violations, but with 3 man sometimes U3 is positioned directly behind the pitcher at 2nd base and then they can also call lane violations.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the ball is hit and the BR reaches first safely and if all runners advance 1 base, isn't the IP negated regardless of what happens after that?
 
Last edited:
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the ball is hit and the BR reaches first safely and if all runners advance 1 base, isn't the IP negated regardless of what happens after that?

Yes, Im sorry should have stated that. If batter reaches base safely and any runners on base all advance at least 1 base then the IP is negated.
 

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