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Originally posted by Skahtboi
According to the NFHS Umpires Manual;
"It is essential to be consistent and always extend the left arm straight out to the side (the delayed dead ball signal) as soon as the pitch becomes illegal, and say "illegal."
So, IMO, as soon as you detect an illegal action, you need to signal it. If play stops, then award the ball on the batter (and advance runners if any), and play on. If, as in the originaly scenario, the pitcher then steps back, we would still have an illegal action and subsequent awards.
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I disagree with your interpretation of this instruction. It says
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as soon as the pitch becomes illegal
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You are interpreting it as if it said
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as soon as the preliminary mechanics appear illegal
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Pitcher takes her position with both feet on the plate and hands separated. Pitcher takes signals. Pitcher brings the hands together. Pitcher takes a step back with the stride foot. BANG - you signal DDB and call ILLEGAL. Pitcher takes a step back with the pivot foot, and with both feet off the plate, separates her hands. OOPS - that was legal! Now what?
You need to wait until the
pitch becomes illegal, which means there has to be a pitch, which means the hands have to separate after coming together (or wind up starts for NFHS).