- Aug 21, 2008
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[MENTION=674]Hillhouse[/MENTION], in your opinion is there any doubt in your mind that Barnhill is replanting? If she is replanting, why, in your opinion, is it not being called?
In which Barnhill image does the pivot foot bear weight after the initial push, and which does not?
No, I do not think she is crowhopping. She's leaping, there's no doubt. but, EVERY pitcher the crowhops has a hitch or pause in the arm circle. Barnhill does not. Her arm circle is fluent from the backswing around. A crowhop would mean she pauses her arm (usually in the 12:00 position) as the foot replants then finishes the pitch. I don't see that from her. Keep in mind, leaping and crowhopping are both illegal. Although in ISF play, leaping is legal. She is clearly trying to point her toes downward as she jumps, which is another sign of a leaper, not a crowhopper. But the arm hitch is the key. Without it, you cannot have a legit crow hop. it can be very hard to see the difference between the 2... most people just see a pitcher airborne and cry foul "CROW HOP!!" Or my personal favorite, "keep her on the rubber!!!"
Look, it's real simple if you want to eliminate crowhopping AND leaping. You allow the runners to leave first base at the first movement forward. NOT when it releases from the hand. that would cause so many stolen bases that coaches would have to change it and would run hopping pitchers out of the game.
Bill