Pitch height/arc

[3afan]

is there a maximum pitch height that a pitch can attain and still be called a strike? this is a problem in our local 10U league. some girls pitch like slow pitch with 8/10+ ft. arcs. Can those pitches be strikes in fast pitch?

thanks ...............

[TexBlue]

Originally posted by 3afan
is there a maximum pitch height that a pitch can attain and still be called a strike? this is a problem in our local 10U league. some girls pitch like slow pitch with 8/10+ ft. arcs. Can those pitches be strikes in fast pitch?

thanks ...............

Yep. There is no height limitation in the FP game, like there is in SP. It just has to cross the plate in the strike zone. Heck, the Yankees, I believe, had a pitcher about 10-12 years ago who threw the ball with such a high arc, that the opposing teams struck out or popped it up. Of course, he didn't last long. Apparently some of the batters had played softball along the way and crushed the thing.

[Bluefoot]

You're referring to Dave "LaLob" LaRoche, who played MLB in the 1980-90s and played a couple of years with the Yankees.

[Dakota]

Originally posted by 3afan
is there a maximum pitch height that a pitch can attain and still be called a strike? this is a problem in our local 10U league. some girls pitch like slow pitch with 8/10+ ft. arcs. Can those pitches be strikes in fast pitch?

thanks ...............

This is fairly common in younger / rec "fast"pitch. You need to focus on the actual strike zone, and not be fooled by the angle the pitch is coming through the zone. Remember, the strike zone extends to the back of the plate. It is for the good of these kinds of games that you be sure to call strikes for anything that enters the zone, no matter how high its arc was. The players have much more fun if they hit the ball, instead of just standing there waiting to walk.