Quote:
Originally posted by WestMichBlue
About ten years ago the word delivery was changed to release! Now we have created a bad rule. It is impossible for a pitcher to step and simultaneously release the ball. Physically the step MUST come prior to the release. The stride foot must land before the ball can be released. Now we have made every pitcher illegal, but nobody calls it because we just read right past that word and assume we know what the rule means, and don't pay any attention to what it actually says. (Until somebody like Coach brings it up here!)
WMB
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I agree with this, with the notation that this is another in the list of poor editing / wording of a rule. Certainly, the rule writer did not INTEND that the rule be enforced strictly as written, and that the interpretation of the rule continues to treat "release" as a process (same as "delivery") and the step as a process, in the step being "simultaneous" with "release."
Physical "release" from the hand takes a fraction of a second. A step takes much longer.
However, in the interest of the OP, lets not go into a LONG discussion of rule writing skill or lack thereof. Although I do enjoy those discussions from time to time!
Getting back to the OP's question,
Quote:
Originally posted by WestMichiganBlue
No umpire is going to lay on the ground and measure the height. Fact is, they are usually looking elsewhere. So, unless the "leap" is drastic and very visable (ie., more than a couple inches up and starting the drag a foot or more from the plate), it is not going to get called.
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This point bears repeating. The umpire is never going to call a minor leap, even if it is technically illegal, because of the practical issues of seeing it.
One thing the ranters on lack of IP calls miss is that the IP penalty is severe with runners on base. No umpire is going to make that call unless he is sure of the call. He cannot (by fact of geometry) be sure of a minor leap. It won't be called by any experienced umpire.