Pitcher's toeing the rubber NFHS rule set

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Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Excuse my rant.

6-1-2b: The pitcher may now step back with the non-pivot foot at any time prior to the start of the pitch. Rationale: This is a change to assist the developing pitcher.

So we were playing a game and the pitcher was doing exactly this. BUT this pitcher is NOT a developing pitcher. She is a D1 committed player who won the Pitcher of the Year award as a soph last year. 11 K's in 5 innings!!!

She started with her back foot 6 inches off the rubber and then took and additional step backwards. Pitching around 61 mph.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Riseball says his DD would step back whenever she was allowed to. She would go back and forth depending on the rules.

My DD always keeps both feet on plate.

It is in the rules, no reason to get wound up about it.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
If the girl was legal by the rules there's not much you can say. There's nothing stopping your DD's team pitcher from doing the same thing.

Some pitchers do the step back. Some don't. My DD never did. Didn't feel comfortable doing it.

It sounds like the pitcher dominated your DD's team with 11 K's in 5 innings. Not trying to be snarky, but it sounds like she still would have without the step back.

Several years ago there was a local pitcher who was very good. The HS coach pitched her every game trying to give her an opportunity to set a strikeout record. He never said it, but it was obvious what he was doing. He set up a really soft non-conference schedule and they were in a weaker conference. He pitched her against a really, really weak HS team where she struck out the side for 5 innings. A local reporter was there and questioned in the article why the coach didn't use one of the other pitchers against a team who was clearly over-matched. The parents reacted on the local message boards as if he attacked her personally and wanted him banned from covering any of the team's games. The team never made it beyond the 2nd round of the post season playoffs when they'd run into the stronger teams in the area and she couldn't dominate them.
 
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martianr

Softball DAD
Jan 26, 2014
177
18
Whiting, Iowa
Excuse my rant.

6-1-2b: The pitcher may now step back with the non-pivot foot at any time prior to the start of the pitch. Rationale: This is a change to assist the developing pitcher.

So we were playing a game and the pitcher was doing exactly this. BUT this pitcher is NOT a developing pitcher. She is a D1 committed player who won the Pitcher of the Year award as a soph last year. 11 K's in 5 innings!!!

She started with her back foot 6 inches off the rubber and then took and additional step backwards. Pitching around 61 mph.

There is a whole thread(probably the largest on this site) about this so called pitcher. Everyone sees it except the experts on TV, NCAA rules committee and umpires.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Difference is he is ranting about the rule and the quality of pitcher taking advantage of it.

All HS and under school ball, that I know of, allow the P the back step. The experts are not missing anything in this case.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
I don't see the problem, if the HS rules allow a step back and you think it gives you an advantage, then do it. My DD stopped playing travel ball over a year ago and she has been using the foot back off the pitching plate and now the step back exclusively. She's maybe has seen a slight 1-2 mph increase in speed but likes the fluid motion of the step back before the hands separate. Nothing to get all worked up about. Did we mention its high school ball....
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
This is a new rule for Texas HS. I guess I should have highlighted this "Rationale: This is a change to assist the developing pitcher." I am not taking anything away from this pitcher as she has worked hard to get where she is and I really enjoy watching her pitch. My DD did get the only hit for her team with a stand up double to the RC fence. (yes I'm proud) and this team will win the district too. For a developing pitcher I could see how this could help a bit, but it does give a sort of "walk through" start for the developed pitcher who frankly does not need the extra help. And Yes our pitchers could benefit from this rule change if they were to utilize this method.

Another rule change that I hate: No pitch Intentional Walk. Another thread.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Maybe I am used to the rule, it has been in effect for as long as DD has played school ball and before.

I am OK with rule and understand its purpose, even though DD has not taken advantage of it. Vast majority of pitchers we face do not either.

I am OK with the take your base rule too. :) One of the few rule "discussions" I had was about this rule or lack there of. Was not going to win discussion but they(3 people I think) did look it up afterwards and went out of their way to let me know I was right.

Good for you paying attention to the rules. Might not like them but knowing them is a big deal.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
The step back is not a Texas only rule nor is it a new rule. Nfhs has allowed the step back for at least the last 15-20 years. The only change in the rule for this year was the step back used to have to occur before the hands came together, now it is allowed any time prior to the start of the pitch.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
Depends on state rules.... Here in IN, that's a legal pitch.
However, most girls will utilize the traditional TB or NCAA rules... But if blue allows it, my girls are going to be pitching the whole game like a 2 step drill!!!!
 
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