Illegal pitch in this video?
Recent hs varsity game, rule set is NFHS. For me, the pause is not long enough to appear to take a sign.
I know it’s a judgement call.
From USA April 2019 Rule Plays and ClarificationsWould love to get input from some experienced umpires on this.
My observations:
1) 6-1-c says hands must be together for at least one second before releasing the ball and hands may be moving while hands together.
2) I can't see her feet clearly in video or anything in the rule defining how long to simulate taking a signal.
3) I've been told by experienced umpires to stay standing and then get into position when the pitcher starts the motion and the batter is ready.
She is moving her hands and has them together for more than one second before releasing the ball. Unless there is a definition of time to simulate a signal, she does pause very briefly to take a signal. The batter appears to be ready.
I very well may be wrong, but looks legal to me, but in USA rec game I did bases on the other night, plate umpire called time and asked the pitcher to take a little more time simulating the signal.
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Easy fix: Give them the sign on the pitching plate. If they’re going to pitch in college, that’s how most coaches do it.
that's the college rule. it works.Easy fix: Give them the sign on the pitching plate. If they’re going to pitch in college, that’s how most coaches do it.