Thread: Illegal pitch?
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Old Mon Nov 07, 2005, 11:50am
Dakota Dakota is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Twin Cities MN
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About the video:

With the angle of the camera, and the slow frame rate of the video (15 fps at best, maybe even less), I cannot definitely say this particular pitcher was pitching sidearm.

The one frame with her arm apparently in a sidearm position, also has her arm apparently behind her body. The very next frame has the ball released.

Her body is very twisted, which may give the appearance of a sidearm delivery that is not actually there, or it may actually be a sidearm delivery - I can't tell from the video.

On the main rules point of the discussion, however, with enough repetition, the umpire certainly should have been able to make a determination. I think your coach probably protested too soon, forcing a ruling by the umpire too soon. At most, your coach may have been better served to remind the umpire of what you are seeing, acknowledge that it is an unusual and maybe difficult to judge motion, and ask that we watch closely.

A sidearm deliver is illegal, regardless of the team's personnel situation. A slight movement of the wrist away from the body for certain pitches is not illegal.
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