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Originally Posted by Rich Ives
Yep - but not by several feet, and it's not just the power pitchers. There's a natural pull-off due to the body twist but the question is whether the deliberate leap should be considered OK.
Secondly, IF he is touching down with the pivot foot before pitching (as some think) shouldn't that be balked? Would the touch-down be considered a step with the pivot foot?
I can't comprehend how he can command a pitch using the method anyhow. Apparently some can but I don't think the majority of pitchers could.
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David & Rich,
Great replys - I think we're getting somewhere here. As you guys stated, all pitcher's lose contact with the pitcher's plate at the time of release - it's just natural because of the way the body is moving. The question I feel we need to ask ourselves is this....
What is the origin of the rule behind "being in contact with the pitcher's plate" (ie, why was it put in the rule book) and how is that rule interpreted on the playing field?
Personally, I feel that the rule about being in contact with the pitcher's plate was put in so that all pitchers start (or pitch) from the same distance away from the plate (60 ft 6 in) or somewhere relatively close to that measurement considering human physics.
With that said, I don't think anyone envisioned a pitcher "launching" himself off of the rubber and then releasing the ball which puts himself much closer to the plate vs the traditional/normal stride of 99.9% of pitchers. Thus, is this unique delivery creating an unfair advantage and goes against the spirit for which the rule was originally intended for?