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Originally Posted by UES
Thanks Dash for the link! Rich, if you find what site the discussion took place, I would appreciate a link.
The purpose of this is not the hand positioning, but where the pivot foot is at the time of the release and also how much closer the pitcher ends up towards the plate in comparison to a conventional stride.
This issue came recently came up in an NCAA game and caused a pretty big sh!t house as to whether it is legal by rule ... considering the pivot foot not being in contact with the rubber and/or is the pitcher gaining an illegal advantage because he is "significantly" closer to the plate at the time of the release.
Law Ump, Squeaky, Hickman and the rest of you - I would be interested in hearing your interpretation of this rule as it relates for NCAA and OBR only
Please refer to this link (below) as well. Its the same video but slowed down at 10% of normal speed. Notice, there are two landing marks - one that looks to be where the conventional stride lands and the second, of course, is where the pitcher lands using this unique style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaTQ7...eature=related |
IMO this is clearly a balk. This kid leaps, replants then releases the pitch. The give away is the bringing the free foot high in the air and leaping forward. Pivot foot makes contact a second time and provides leverage before free foot touches the ground, thus illegal pitch.
this motion is NOT the same as dragging the pivot foot - it's a clear attempt at moving the mound several feet closer to HP.