Inspired by NCASAUmp's tomfoolery, I stirred up a little April's Fool trouble with this post on our regional fastpitch discussion board...
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(As posted on the Ohio High School Athletic Association website)
"For immediate release: It has come to the attention of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) that complaints regarding pitching techniques continue to be a problem in high school competition. In light of recent events, the OHSAA has conducted an emergency vote of participating schools and passed the following rule changes.
Effective immediately, and for the remainder of the 2011 high school fastpitch softball season, rule 6-2-3 and rule 6-2-5 have been rescinded. These two rules previously prohibited pitching techniques known as "the leap" and "the crow hop". By removing these two rules from our pitching regulations, it is our hope that fastpitch contests in the state of Ohio will now be free of the constant complaints regarding "illegal" pitching techniques and the penalties associated with them.
"This change has been a long time coming", said OHSAA Playing Rules Director Wanda Sinclaire. "The consensus is that these pitching techniques give the pitcher no real advantage and, quite often, serve only to confuse players, coaches and especially umpires."
At the conclusion of the 2011 season, the OHSAA Rule Committee will review the effects of these rule changes to determine if the changes will be made permanent."
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