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Mike - I placed in bold print where the idea comes from. Its one of those gray areas that are in the rules. I wished all rules stated "the pivot foot must remain in contact with the ground until the pitch is released", if they said that we umpires would have no problem calling illegal pitches.
2006 NCAA SOFTBALL Rules and Interpretations,
RULE 10 PITCHING,
page 115,
Step/Stride,
SECTION 4.d. Having pushed off from the pitcher's plate, the rear, pivot foot must stay in contact with the ground without creating a second push-off point before the stride foot lands.
4.d.1. No leaping is allowed. The pitcher may not become airborne on the initial drive from the pitcher's plate. The rear foot must slide/drag on the ground.
(page 116) 4.d.2. No crow hopping is allowed. The pitcher may not replant, gain a second starting point and push off her pivot foot. Once having lost contact with the pitcher's plate, the pivot foot may trail on the ground but may not bear weight again until the pitch is released.
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