ISF pitching rule section dealing with feet.
Quote:
g. Both feet must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate and the pivot foot must remain motionless at all times before the start of the pitch.
h. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all times before the forward drag, leap or hop.
i. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher may take one step with the leading, non-pivot foot simultaneous with the release of the ball. The step must be forward toward the batter and within the 61.0cm (24 in) length of the pitcher's plate.
NOTE: (h-i) It is not a step if the pitcher slides his foot across the pitcher's plate, provided contact is maintained with the plate and there is no movement backwards of the non-pivot foot. Lifting the pivot foot off the pitcher's plate and returning it to the plate, creating a rocking motion, is an illegal act.
j. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate, or push off and drag away from the pitcher’s plate or be airborne prior to the stepping (non-pivot) foot touching the ground.
Note: It is legal to drag, leap or hop and then land and throw as long as the original push starts from the pitcher’s plate. It is not legal to step off with the pivot foot and then drag, leap or hop and throw.
k. The pitcher shall not push off from a place other than the pitcher’s plate prior to separating his hands.
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Is it just me or is this rule completely full of contradictions? It says the pivot foot must remain motionless at all times prior to the start of the pitch, but then talks about it not being a step if the pitcher slides their foot across the pitching plate. The note indicates it is legal to hop and throw, yet right above that it would appear to indicate if the pitcher leaps the pivot foot may not contact the ground again prior to the stride foot retouching.