I coach 7th/8th grade girls softball and we play under ASA rules. During tonight's game one of the opposing pitcher was taking one to two steps forward and then delivering the pitch. I pointed it out to the umpire and she said that she was not aware of that rule. She also admitted earlier in the game that "I am a first year umpire and still learning."
I also spoke to the opposing coach who said that "she pitches that way all the time and no one ever calls her for it."
My interpretation of the ASA rule is this: The pitcher's pivot foot must maintain contact with the ground during the delivery of the pitch. We teach our pitchers to drag the foot on the ground. We have told them that the umpire will call them for an illegal pitch if they do not.
I understand what a crow hop is but this opposing pitcher was not doing that. She was walking towards the batter and then delivering the ball.
I don't want to sound like sour grapes but feel that they really put our batters at a disadvantage. Add to this that the umpire called the game early. We have the 2 hour rule where no inning can start after 2 hours from the start time of the game. We were at least 10 minutes away from the 2 hour mark and only going into the 5th inning. Her explanation: my boss told me to call the game if it was that close to the hour. So we were ready for our next at bats and did not get that chance.
I informed her that the game was being protested. Now I'm home and wondering if I should call it in. I don't like playing this way but also feel that if our girls have to abide by these rules then so should the other team.
Advice?
I also spoke to the opposing coach who said that "she pitches that way all the time and no one ever calls her for it."
My interpretation of the ASA rule is this: The pitcher's pivot foot must maintain contact with the ground during the delivery of the pitch. We teach our pitchers to drag the foot on the ground. We have told them that the umpire will call them for an illegal pitch if they do not.
I understand what a crow hop is but this opposing pitcher was not doing that. She was walking towards the batter and then delivering the ball.
I don't want to sound like sour grapes but feel that they really put our batters at a disadvantage. Add to this that the umpire called the game early. We have the 2 hour rule where no inning can start after 2 hours from the start time of the game. We were at least 10 minutes away from the 2 hour mark and only going into the 5th inning. Her explanation: my boss told me to call the game if it was that close to the hour. So we were ready for our next at bats and did not get that chance.
I informed her that the game was being protested. Now I'm home and wondering if I should call it in. I don't like playing this way but also feel that if our girls have to abide by these rules then so should the other team.
Advice?