[David B]

Originally posted by ozzy6900

Tim
Simple physics. Try it yourself - you have to pause in order to start your pitching motion.

The reason I am challenging is that my son (HS pitcher & Board Umpire) does exactly this every time and never gets called. Now I am not arguing the rule (hard to when there is nothing written in the FED rule book about the pause we are talking about) rather I am arguing the application of the rule. Bear with me here.

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FED 6-1-2 For the wind-up position, the pitcher is not restricted as to how he shall hold the ball. A pitcher assumes the windup position when his hands are:
(a) together in front of the body;
(b) both hands are at his side;
(c) either hand is in front of the body and the other is at his side.
The pitcher's non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher's plate. He is limited to not more than two pumps or rotations. After he starts his movement to pitch, he must continue the motion without interruption or alteration. With his feet in the wind-up position, the pitcher may only deliver a pitch or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot first. After the pitcher has places his pivot foot clearly behind the plate, he has the right to change to the set position or throw or feint to a base the same as that of any fielder. During delivery, he may lift his non-pivot foot in a step forward, a step sideways, or in a step backward and a step forward, but he shall not otherwise lift either foot.
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Now there is the FED wind-up rule. Please tell me how bringing your hands together, is the start of the delivery! I contend that once the hands are together, you have no choice but to deliver or step off. The delivery movement is the next movement after the hands are together. Again, I refer you to simple physics; you have to come to a pause once the hands are together.

I'll go one step further on this. If you try to bring your hands together and go right into your pitching motion (remember, no pause of any kind) you will balk! PLEASE - try it before you respond (not just Tim I mean everyone)!

Now we are going to have fun! :

Come on guys, use your history to remember.

Years ago in FED, once the pitcher in the wind-up started any movement of the hands he had to continue to the plate and pitch. He could NOT step off. I could look it up in my books but I don't have time today.

Then FED added the rule several years ago, I would guess in the late 90's giving the pitcher several options.

However, there is not an option to move both hands at the same time and then stop. That part of the rule is still as it was in the 80's.

The only options the F1 has now that is different, is that he can now start with glove in front, then put hands together and at that point he can still step off.

If he has both hands together any movement commits him to pitch.

With both hands down, he can move ONE hand at a time and still step off.

In all situations, if F1 moves both hands at the same time he is committed to pitch.

This is an important rule because it determines when the BR can advance. He must know when the pitcher is committed to the plate.

If as an umpire we allow him to bring BOTH hands up and pause, and then he can step off at that time we have allowed him to gain a big advantage.

Thanks
David