Quick pitch

[Mompants]

Hello all
Is quick pitching illegal in fastpitch 12u?
Batter steps in the box before she looks up at the pitcher boom in the catchers glove. Umpire allowed it. Any takes?

 

[Lozza]

What rule set?

Generally you can pitch too quick. But once the batter is in the box it’s also legal to pitch.

 

[Mompants]

What rule set?

Generally you can pitch too quick. But once the batter is in the box it’s also legal to pitch.

ASA rules

 

[dlsumpntx]

As an umpire I will not allow a pitch until the batter is ready (i.e. looking).

 

[jackfrost]

What rule set?

Generally you can pitch too quick. But once the batter is in the box it’s also legal to pitch.

That is not allowed play in ASA/USA. I don't have book with me but pretty sure it is Rule 6. Section 10. Rule says pitcher can not pitch unless both feet are in the box AND batter is not off balance. The not off balance wording is pretty poor way to say it but batter must be in the box with both feet and ready to take the pitch. A pitcher can not just let it fly as soon as the batter gets in the box. The batter must be ready. The umpire does not need to be holding up play until the batter is ready. The pitcher is responsible for waiting. If pitcher does quick pitch it is a No Pitch and umpire should instruct pitcher to delay until batter is ready.

 

[Comp]

Depends on what you are calling a quick pitch. The definition of a quick pitch is when the pitcher attempts to deliver the pitch before the batter is ready. That has never been an illegal pitch, it is simply a no pitch situation.

Now, if you are talking about the pitcher bringing the hands together right after stepping on the pitching plate then yes, that has always been illegal.

 

[corlay]

Now, if you are talking about the pitcher bringing the hands together right after stepping on the pitching plate then yes, that has always been illegal.

why?

I wasn't aware of a time stipulation for when hands can come together after stepping on the plate - only that hands MUST be separated when stepping on the plate.

 

[jackfrost]

there is also a part of the rule that says the pitcher must step on the pitcher's plate with hands separated and simulate taking a sign with hand separated. They can not step on and immediately brings hands together. Should have a long one count or a 2 count, then they can bring hands together and start going into the pitch.

 

[CoachKevin]

Hello all
Is quick pitching illegal in fastpitch 12u?
Batter steps in the box before she looks up at the pitcher boom in the catchers glove. Umpire allowed it. Any takes?

Well as you said, Umpire allowed it... so that tells me that he didn't believe the batter wasn't ready, or maybe the batters were taking too long to get "ready". Did the coach ask the Umpire about it?

 

[djcarter1966]

There is a happy medium is the batter is taking too long while in the box to get ready, nothing says we are waiting forever and honestly why are you not looking at the pitcher if you are getting in the box what else exactly are you looking at? On this flip side there is no reason to try and "trick" a batter by throwing the second they step in the box.