Showing the ball...

[ang4yanks]

My dd played against a team today whose pitcher was taking the rubber with the ball in her glove. The ASA umpire, upon her coach's appeal, stated it was a legal pitch. I would love to hear from some members, and their interpretation of "showing the ball."

Leo Durocher, Giants manager 1948-55:
"I've never questioned the integrity of an umpire. Their eyesight, yes."

 

[Coach Al]

It is legal. Here is the rule:

Section 1. PRELIMINARIES.
Before starting the delivery (pitch), the pitcher shall comply with the following:
A. The pitcher may not take the pitching position on the pitcher’s plate without
possession of the ball.
B. The pitcher shall not be considered in the pitching position unless the catcher
is in position to receive the pitch.
C. Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s
plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases.
1. (Male) The pitcher shall take a position with their pivot foot in contact
with the pitcher’s plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or behind
the pitcher’s plate.
2. (Female) The pitcher shall take a position with both feet in contact with
the pitcher’s plate.
D. While on the pitcher’s plate, the pitcher shall take the signal or appear to
take a signal with the hands separated. The ball must remain in either the
glove or pitching hand.
E. The pitcher shall bring the hands together for not less than one second and
not more than 10 seconds before releasing it,
1. (Male) If the pitcher decides to pitch with the non-pivot foot to the rear
and off the pitcher’s plate, a backward step may be taken before,
simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot
foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all times prior to
the forward step.
2. (Female) Both feet must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all
times prior to the forward step.

 

[2bucketdad]

the hands must be seperated when the pitcher steps on the mound, he ball can be in the hand or the glove as long as the hands are seperated...the hands must be brought together and the pitch begins when the hands are again seperated...I try to get my pitchers to leave the ball in the glove and bring there hands together at the hip and hide the ball as long as possiblenobody needs to see the ball , per every rule set i know of... until the release