Revisiting the Crow Hop

[IRISHMAFIA]

Speaking ASA

First, let me point out that in the men's game, the leap is legal as long as the pitcher's pivot foot is pointing down (toes toward the ground).

To have a leap, the only requirement is that both feet must be airborne at the same time prior to the release of the ball (of course, you have the exception of a pitcher's foot over a hole, but that is considered to be touching the ground for the purpose of the rules).

To have a crow hop, the pitcher must have a point away from the pitcher's plate where they plant and push off the pivot foot after having lost contact with the pitcher's plate.

It is not necessary to have a leap prior to a replant to have a crow hop, but it could be. It is possible to have a crow hop prior to a leap. Whether the leap came before the crow hop is irrelevant as the call and result of either violation is identical.

No where does the rule require the hands to be in any particular situation.

The leap and crow hop are not themselves illegal, but the performance of either violate requirements necessary for a legal delivery (7.3.I & 7.3.H, respectively).