step back before hands come together

blueump · #1 (**permalink**) Mon May 02, 2005, 10:37am

NFS requires that a pitcher take her step back before, or at the same time as bringing the hands together. Is this true at the NCAA level?

I was watching a college game on ESPN where the pitcher clearly brought her hands together..paused...then stepped back on every pitch but nothing was said or done.

Do you NFS umps actually call this illegal, or is it something that is let go?

Skahtboi · #2 (**permalink**) Mon May 02, 2005, 12:49pm

As in ASA, a pitcher cannot take a backward step off of the pitching plate and then deliver the pitch by NCAA rules. The penalty is an illegal pitch.

[Edited by Skahtboi on May 2nd, 2005 at 01:52 PM]

wadeintothem · #3 (**permalink**) Mon May 02, 2005, 01:19pm

I let nothing go that I catch, i'm just selective about what I catch.

Steve M · #4 (**permalink**) Mon May 02, 2005, 04:24pm

In college ball, the step back is illegal. Call it.

In high school ball, stepping back after the hands come together is illegal. Call it, the first time it happens and every time after that. Being a "nice guy" does not work and it's not why we're on that particular field.

Call the illegal pitch, every time.

That being said, in a recent game, my partner & I chose not to call illegal pitches. The score was 17-0 in the first inning. One team was lucky to know which end of the bat to hold and the other team is always pretty good.

officialtony · #5 (**permalink**) Tue May 03, 2005, 09:21am

Could someone please give me the rule that states this is an illegal pitching motion? I am not debating it's accuracy. I would like to read the specific rule.
Thanks.

whiskers_ump · #6 (**permalink**) Tue May 03, 2005, 09:55am

Quote:

Originally posted by blueump
NFS requires that a pitcher take her step back before, or at the same time as bringing the hands together. Is this true at the NCAA level?

It is not a required procedure for NFHS pitchers to take a step backward,
however, if done it must be completed before or as the hands are being
brought together.

I was watching a college game on ESPN where the pitcher clearly brought her hands together..paused...then stepped back on every pitch but nothing was said or done.

It is illegal in college to use this procedure. Should have been called.

Do you NFS umps actually call this illegal, or is it something that is let go?

What you stated, NO, NFHS umpires do not call that illegeal, however
NCAA umpires should.

whiskers_ump · #7 (**permalink**) Tue May 03, 2005, 10:01am

Quote:

Originally posted by officialtony
Could someone please give me the rule that states this is an illegal pitching motion? I am not debating it's accuracy. I would like to read the specific rule.
Thanks.

If you are referring to the backward move for NCAA pitchers, the rule
is Rule 10 Pitching.

If you are referring to NFHS Rules, there is no rule stating that the
backward step is illegal, just has to be done in the right sequence. That
rule is NFHS Rule 6.1.2b.