- May 29, 2015
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I know this is futile effort, but because I have the heart of a teacher, I am hoping somebody, anybody, learns a little about thinking like an umpire and why we are saying they things we are saying.
I posted it earlier, but Tex added some case book references as well. I am putting that full quote at the end and will pull out pieces as needed ...
The definition tells us the replant is illegal if it is prior to the delivery of the pitch.
(2-16) A crow hop is the replant of the pivot foot prior to delivering the pitch. The crow hop is an illegal pitch.
The rule tells us something different: we need the drag foot to break contact with the ground and/or push off from the reestablished point.
(6-1-2c) The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground and within the 24-inch length. If a hole has been created in front of the pitcher’s plate, the pivot foot may be no higher than the level plane of the ground. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher’s plate is illegal.
The case play gives us more different information in the “Comment”. It requires FOUR things: (1) loss of contact with the ground, (2) replanting the pivot/drive foot (which, as we established earlier means (3) there MUST be a second push from that point), and (4) the hands not separating until AFTER the replant.
COMMENT: In some cases, pitchers are crow hopping which is the act of breaking contact with the ground and replanting the pivot foot. Then F1 separates her hands to start her pitch. In essence, the pivot foot is planted twice, which moves the pitcher closer to the batter, giving the pitcher an unfair advantage. Leaps, hops or skips, etc., are illegal and shall not be permitted. (2-16; 2-33; 6-1-2c)
So ... sreynolds says illegal because (1) replant and (2) gaining an advantage. While it may be advantageous (and is advantageous by the case play “Comment”), being advantageous is NOT a part of the rule. (It’s the reason for the rule.) That leaves us the replant which, in and of itself is NOT illegal by rule — you need more.
Fury_Mike provides us with observations on the arm movement. None of that is in the rule. Again, it may provide clues as to what is happening ... but there is nothing in the rules or interpretations about arm hitches.
Tex’s post, just because I like some of the info added ...
Back to the original video ... I have described what I am seeing in the video. As has been pointed out, video is one angle and angles can be deceiving. However we can only work off of that video.
What I am seeing could be construed as a replant (that “tipping” or “fulcrum” movement as I describe it.
What I am NOT seeing in the video is neither a clear loss of contact with the ground nor a second push. Additionally, the pitcher’s hands are separated before any of this.
To review our four point checklist for a crow hop:
(1) loss of contact with the ground Not clear and definitive
(2) replanting the pivot/drive foot Possibly
(3) there MUST be a second push from that point No
(4) the hands not separating until AFTER the replant No
I posted it earlier, but Tex added some case book references as well. I am putting that full quote at the end and will pull out pieces as needed ...
The definition tells us the replant is illegal if it is prior to the delivery of the pitch.
(2-16) A crow hop is the replant of the pivot foot prior to delivering the pitch. The crow hop is an illegal pitch.
The rule tells us something different: we need the drag foot to break contact with the ground and/or push off from the reestablished point.
(6-1-2c) The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground and within the 24-inch length. If a hole has been created in front of the pitcher’s plate, the pivot foot may be no higher than the level plane of the ground. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher’s plate is illegal.
The case play gives us more different information in the “Comment”. It requires FOUR things: (1) loss of contact with the ground, (2) replanting the pivot/drive foot (which, as we established earlier means (3) there MUST be a second push from that point), and (4) the hands not separating until AFTER the replant.
COMMENT: In some cases, pitchers are crow hopping which is the act of breaking contact with the ground and replanting the pivot foot. Then F1 separates her hands to start her pitch. In essence, the pivot foot is planted twice, which moves the pitcher closer to the batter, giving the pitcher an unfair advantage. Leaps, hops or skips, etc., are illegal and shall not be permitted. (2-16; 2-33; 6-1-2c)
So ... sreynolds says illegal because (1) replant and (2) gaining an advantage. While it may be advantageous (and is advantageous by the case play “Comment”), being advantageous is NOT a part of the rule. (It’s the reason for the rule.) That leaves us the replant which, in and of itself is NOT illegal by rule — you need more.
Fury_Mike provides us with observations on the arm movement. None of that is in the rule. Again, it may provide clues as to what is happening ... but there is nothing in the rules or interpretations about arm hitches.
Tex’s post, just because I like some of the info added ...
Back to the original video ... I have described what I am seeing in the video. As has been pointed out, video is one angle and angles can be deceiving. However we can only work off of that video.
What I am seeing could be construed as a replant (that “tipping” or “fulcrum” movement as I describe it.
What I am NOT seeing in the video is neither a clear loss of contact with the ground nor a second push. Additionally, the pitcher’s hands are separated before any of this.
To review our four point checklist for a crow hop:
(1) loss of contact with the ground Not clear and definitive
(2) replanting the pivot/drive foot Possibly
(3) there MUST be a second push from that point No
(4) the hands not separating until AFTER the replant No
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