Illegal Pitch?? or just borderline....

[Ed Maeder]

Originally Posted by Little Jimmy

I know I Ump 2 was talking ASA rules, but speaking Fed, the heel of the pivot foot touching the front of the pitchers plate would seem to be legal. One of the diagrams on page 50 of the 2007 rulebook shows this very position.

If you read what it says under the pictures though it states that the pivot foot must be on top of the pitchers plate. Also NFHS 6-1-1 states that "The pitcher shall take a position with the pivot foot on or partially on the top surface of the pitchers plate." Where ASA for Female ASA 6-1-C2 States "The pitcher shall take a position with both feet in contact with the pitcher's plate."

[I Ump 2]

This is the discussion I was hoping for. As per ASA, I believe it to be illegal because of the rule stated above by Ed. As also stated above it is perhaps "marginal" and not called.

Another good point is that Bill Hillhouse is teaching this method of foot placement. I guess this is what I enjoy about calling softball (long time ago baseball) we get to see how coaches & players push the envelope of the rules

I have really learned alot from this board - I would really like to hear the opinions from Tom and the other contributors on this site about this footplacement & delivery style.