Quote:
Originally Posted by EdJW
Just in case you've forgotten the rules, leap and drag is legal.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdJW
Leap and drag is the term long used to describe a moving forward from the pitcher's plate while dragging the pivot foot. I'm surprised you don't know this. But, perhaps you do know this and are just playing word games.
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The only terms and definitions that the umpire needs to be aware of are the ones in the rules. As stated in this thread before:
1.73 Leap (Pitcher)
An illegal act in which the pitcher becomes airborne on her initial movement
and push from the pitcher’s plate.
It isn't word games to be precise when dealing with rules enforcement and interpretation. In fact, a lack of precision usually indicates poor knowledge of the rules.
from the letter by Dee Abrahamson concerning illegal pitch calling:
Specifically, umpires are asked to take the approach that a pitch is legal until the pitcher proves otherwise by engaging in any movement not in compliance with the pitching rules. Again, umpires need to enforce the pitching rules and yet, give pitchers the benefit of the doubt if there is any question of legality.
In a game at this level I doubt that the umpires did not "give pitchers the benefit of the doubt" and that each illegal pitch was called because the umpire specifically saw a violation.