Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Slick
A crow hop is when the pitch "begins" from somewhere in front of the pitcher's plate. For the vast majority of female pitchers, if the hands separate and the drag begins, she cannot (physically) get a second "push point" to deliver the pitch. This is even more so if they arm is in motion; for her to get that second starting point, she would have to stop her arm, gather herself, then pitch . . all after the initial drag.
|
IMO, in an effort to pinpoint specifics and give excuse for not applying the rule to certain pitchers, softball organizations has screwed this rule all to hell.
The definition with which I was initiated was when the pitcher created a second impetus during the delivery that was not on the pitcher's plate.
Real simple, no splitting hairs, but apparently too difficult for many to understand. My belief is that those folks didn't want to understand because it stifled their actions. If a traditionalists were true to their sport, the foot wouldn't even be allow to leave the pitcher's plate.
What has happened is that pitchers have been stretching the rules to the point that the rule is changed or interpretation adjusted to permit the change.
It has gotten to the point that the distance of the pitch as compared to that of the PP has been reduced by nearly 20% or more depending on the pitcher