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-   -   When is a pitch illegal? (https://forum.officiating.com/softball/18021-when-pitch-illegal.html)

SC Ump Sat Jan 29, 2005 02:57pm

I think most of us would agree that the following fastpitch situation is an illegal pitch. I've marked two points in the situation. Please see my notes below.

<i>Pitcher steps onto the pitching plate with her hands together. <b>(A)</b> The pitcher takes the sign from the catcher while here hands are together and then separates her hands <b>(B)</b> and delivers the ball.</i>

My organization thinks that at point "A" the pitch is illegal and at this point the umpire should verbalize the illegal pitch. My opinion is that it is not a pitch until point "B" and thus cannot be an illegal pitch until that point. I think that point "B" is when you would verbalize it. For example, until point "B" the pitcher could step back off the pitching plate.

Thoughts on this?

[Edited by SC Ump on Jan 29th, 2005 at 03:00 PM]

3afan Sat Jan 29, 2005 03:44pm

'A' is the first illegal act & the illegal pitch should be called at that time ...

georgelog Sat Jan 29, 2005 03:57pm

It's not always necessary to deliver a pitch for it to be deemed illegal. Example: F1 gets a big handfull of dirt and grinds it into the ball. No need to wait for a delivery, the illegal act has already been performed.

In your example -- <I>Pitcher steps onto the pitching plate with her hands together</I> -- the question is <U>When did the illegal act occur?</U> Make your call at that time.

Comment: This seems like more of a DON'T DO THAT for the first offense and illegal pitch thereafter.

George in NC


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