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"Do ASA rules allow a pitcher to step back?"
Assuming FP - answer is Yes.
ASA 6.1.E.1: "If the pitcher decides to pitch with the non-pivot foot to the rear and off the pitching plate, a backward step may be taken before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together."
"Additionally - what is the justification for allowing a step-back or NOT allowing a step back. Where is the advantage to the pitcher or dis-advantage to the batter/runner?"
That is an interesting question. The original ASA FP softball rules (1933) required both feet to remain in contact with the plate, and the pivot foot had to remain in contact with the plate until the stride foot landed. Those rules remained in effect through the mid-eighties and were the same for NFHS FP.
By 1990 the ASA rules had changed (for men only - see 6.1.E.1 above) to allow the step back. The drag of the pivot foot for JO/Women also become legal. NFHS changed its rules to follow the ASA men's rule in allowing a step back; did not allow the LEAP (legal for ASA men), and did allow the drag.
The obvious advantage to the step back, and the legal drag is to create more forward momentum and thus more powerful, or faster pitches.
WMB
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