Legal Pitch?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by WestMichBlue
The book only says that the pivot foot must drag away from the plate. It doesn't say anything about how far the drag extends or when it ends and she can legally pick up the pivot foot. For eventually, it has to be legal to pick up the foot.

WMB

Speaking ASA

The rule is under the heading of a "legal delivery". I take this to mean that all conditions set forth in 7.3 (with the exception of the restrictions on a pitcher's action after the release) must be met until the delivery is complete (release of the pitch).

To me, this would also mean that the pivot foot must remain in contact with the ground (or not higher than the plane of the ground, if a hole exists) until the release of the pitch.

Dragging the pivot foot really isn't required, just permitted. Yes, I know how the rule reads, but are you going to call a pitcher illegal if she can deliver the pitch without losing contact with the pitcher's plate? BTW, I have seen this a few times.