I remember watching him pitch when I was a kid and we tried to copy his style; but we knew it was a bad idea for the elbow. I don't think my G.I. Joe's could even bend that way.
Pitching Rule -- Hand cannot be outside of the elbow
- Thread starter texasheat
- Start date
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Several years ago I took some video of a pitcher from Boston University, a mid major D1 school, very competitive in their conference. She was a 4 year starter for them. Live you could see her delivery was unusual, in slo-mo it was very unorthodox. She bent way over to the pitching arm side and her elbow was at a 90 degree angle. She looked like a SS who picked up a slow grounder and was making the quick throw to 1st while still bent over. There are lots of ways to get it done.
My DD was in a tournament last year and they were facing a team out of a Canadian softball academy and their pitcher had a motion where her arm was outside her elbow. I didn't realize it was illegal but commented to the home plate ump about how it looked like it could hurt her elbow. He mentioned that it was technically an illegal pitch but she wasn't dominating anything to I think he was letting it go. It definitely messed with our hitters for a bit.
USA Rule 6A-E: The delivery shall be an underhand motion with the hand below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow.
USSSA Rule 61-F2: The hand shall be below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow.
Now I know, I'll have to call this one day when I see it, watch everyone go crazy.
USSSA Rule 61-F2: The hand shall be below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow.
Now I know, I'll have to call this one day when I see it, watch everyone go crazy.
inumpire
Observer, but has an opinion
- Oct 31, 2014
- 278
- 43
This has been the rule for at least 28 or 29 years. Don’t see it a lot, but call it when I do.....
This is seriously just like the girl I mentioned.
Was her last name Tekulve???
Coach Caz
Fastpitch Junkie
- Jan 16, 2014
- 5
- 3
The problem I have with this rule is related to the wrist not being further away from the body then the elbow. If this rule was enforced then no pitcher would be able to throw a curveball. There is always some flex in the elbow and since a pitcher is driving her elbow into her side, before cupping under the ball to complete the pitch. The flex in her elbow will cause her hand to be further away from her body then her elbow.
So then this rule is left for interpretation by an umpire which causes inconsistency in calling it. They have to then make a decision if she is gaining a great advantage with her motion, leaving it to be a judgement call and one that will cause disagreement and arguments to take place.
So then this rule is left for interpretation by an umpire which causes inconsistency in calling it. They have to then make a decision if she is gaining a great advantage with her motion, leaving it to be a judgement call and one that will cause disagreement and arguments to take place.
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