When is a pitch illegal?

[SC Ump]

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.

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

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]

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

[georgelog]

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 -- Pitcher steps onto the pitching plate with her hands together -- the question is When did the illegal act occur? 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