Cat

[Woodchuck]

By ASA standards this would be illegal. It is hard to tell from one still picture, but by the picture of Cat she is legal by NCAA rules, I don't know about ISF. Maybe someone can provide that rule for us. Here is the NCAA Rule:

2006 NCAA SOFTBALL Rules and Interpretations,
RULE 10 PITCHING,
page 115,
Step/Stride,
SECTION 4.d. Having pushed off from the pitcher's plate, the rear, pivot foot must stay in contact with the ground without creating a second push-off point before the stride foot lands.

4.d.1. No leaping is allowed. The pitcher may not become airborne on the initial drive from the pitcher's plate. The rear foot must slide/drag on the ground.

(page 116) 4.d.2. No crow hopping is allowed. The pitcher may not replant, gain a second starting point and push off her pivot foot. Once having lost contact with the pitcher's plate, the pivot foot may trail on the ground but may not bear weight again until the pitch is released.

I don't do college ball but had a friend send me the rule. Both NFHS & PONY have the same take on the rule. The pivot foot is released from maintaining contact with the ground once the non-pivot foot touches the ground on the step forward with release of the ball.

Just my humble opinon, please correct if I'm wrong.