If a pitch hits the dirt on the way to the plate can it be a strike?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Jan 22, 2011
1,610
113
Wait...so the ball can bounce on the plate and be a strike?

USA Softball Rules, 2018 edition:

Rule 7:
SECTION 5. A BALL IS CALLED BY THE UMPIRE
A. For each legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone, touches the ground
before reaching home plate, or touches home plate, and the batter does not swing.

So, if it touches home plate, its a ball according to USA Softball.
 
Last edited:
Aug 29, 2018
83
8
Maybe it’s a strike in the rec league because so many kid pitchers struggle making the ball over the plate. I’ve seen a lot of rainbow style pitches land on home plate called a strike. It’s so confusing when called a strike.
 
Mar 22, 2016
505
63
Southern California
Maybe it’s a strike in the rec league because so many kid pitchers struggle making the ball over the plate. I’ve seen a lot of rainbow style pitches land on home plate called a strike. It’s so confusing when called a strike.

This isn't slowpitch. It should never be a strike - even in rec ball with horrible pitchers. If pitching is that bad, switch it to coach pitch (assuming 8U).
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,831
Messages
679,484
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top