How are the following 2 LL pitching rules that appear to be in conflict resolved?
8.01 (s) states: "The pivot foot must remain in contact with or push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground."
8.05 (a) states: "An Illegal Pitch is a pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have her pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate."
If the pivot foot is drug away from the pitching plate before the pitch is released, it is no longer in contact. Is the term "delivered" meant to refer the complete process, and not just the release?
This conflict arose involving a pitcher that is generating so much forward momentum that the trailing, drug foot is typically 8-10 inches in front of the plate by the time the pitch is released. But the foot is being drug off the plate, so I interpret it as legal, per 8.01 s, so long as the foot is drug, never lifted (that would be a leap).
Opposing opinion is based on 8.05 a. (All involved agree motion is legal in all other aspects.) What are the opinions of the experts here?
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Panda Bear
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