Quote:
Originally posted by Warren Willson
Another rather large NIT picked by an expert, eh Steve?
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Warren, I don't recall ever claiming to be or lableling myself as an expert. However, I do recall YOU stating that about me. I merely read and study the rules and provide my opinions.
Quote:
Originally posted by Warren Willson
When describing what the poster should look for as the start of the pitching motion I wrote:Best thing to look for is the combined upward motion of BOTH hands after they have come together AND/OR a backward step with the free foot, BUT the combined upward motion of BOTH hands after
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After reading this once again, Warren, I offer my apologies.
In my first reading I misunderstood you to mean that both the upward movement of the hands or movement of the free foot---
both occurring after the pitcher has reset---would indicate the start of the pitch. While this could be true, the movement of the free foot would not be limited to only after he has reset. That is, it could dictate the start of the pitch prior to the reset if occurring with his hands moving upward. Still, as officials we need be aware that mere movement of the free foot does not necessarily commit the pitcher to pitch. The movement may be the beginning of a legal step to a base---something allowed under OBR. And while we can refine it even better by addressing a step
backward with his free foot, he is still allowed to legally step
backward to 2B. Roder has addressed the legal vs. illegal action of such a step with the free foot as being dependent on the orientation of the foot. That is, whether the pitcher has turned his toe to 2B to indicate a step to the base vs. a heel first movement backward which would indicate the start of a pitch.
After re-reading your post, I understand those statements now to be addressed separately from the point of reset. I think what led to my misunderstanding, Warren, was your statement:
The way I read that, the Wind-up position is not even reached UNTIL the hands come together in front of the body. It is only AFTER reaching this position that "any natural motion associated with the delivery of the ball to the batter commits the pitcher to pitch without interruption or alteration."
You appeared to me as being focused on the motion
after the hands reset in front of the body. Certainly motion naturally associated with his pitch can occur when starting with his pitching hands at his sides and not necessarily makiong a stop with those hands in front of the body. He is not required to reset, and he is not required to use the same pitching motion with each separate delivery.
Again, Warren, I apologize for my misunderstanding of your statements which I felt left out certain potential movements which could be legal or illegal.
Just my opinion,
Freix