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Dave,
F1 is required to do 3 things before the time of the pitch.
(1)Take a position with shoulders in line with 1st and 3rd and hold ball in one hand.
(2) Take a signal from F2
(3) Bring hands together at least one second....
Because of the note you indicated that was in the earlier rule books, if F1 shifted the ball an instant after contact with the pitchers plate, and before she had preformed acts 1 and/or 2 above, you were required by rule to rule an illegal pitch. The batter had not been deceived, the runners had not been deceived, and the pitcher had gained no advantage, but the note required that an illegal pitch be called.
By deleating the note, that momentary shift of the ball done by a pitcher, even though not "good form" no longer requires the illegal pitch call. However, if the shift occurs after items one and two above were done by F1, then Bob's interpertation that the movement is the start of the pitch would be correct.
Fed sometimes makes deletions from their rules such as this without notification. I do not know if it is intentional or inadverant. This year they also listed a change, when in fact there was no change. See the listed editorial revision of 6-1-1d and compare the penalty to the 2000 rule book. There was in fact no change. (Your guess is as good as mine on that.)
The source of this information is from our FED clinics and meetings in NC prior to the 2001 season. I can not claim any official statement from Fed about this change, but this interpertation is logical and not without precident.
Roger Greene,
Member UT
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