For what its worth, NFHS umpires...

[TwoBits]

...the Missouri State High School Activities Association is petitioning NFHS to change the pitching rules so that the pitcher must start with both feet on the pitcher's plate and that stepping back be illegal.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

...the Missouri State High School Activities Association is petitioning NFHS to change the pitching rules so that the pitcher must start with both feet on the pitcher's plate and that stepping back be illegal.

My guess is no change, possibly Missouri making it their own rule, for what purpose I don't know.

[hutchbrett]

I really do not understand why Missouri is doing this because I watched the state finals last year and only one pitcher, a girl from Class 1A Jefferson, took a step back. Her team was eliminated in the semi-finals. It really does not seem to be a problem to me.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

...the Missouri State High School Activities Association is petitioning NFHS to change the pitching rules so that the pitcher must start with both feet on the pitcher's plate and that stepping back be illegal.

Personally, I would love to see it changed. Conform with all the other associations. Last year when I asked W. Sparks about it, he said it would
probably never change as with the 40' pitching difference. However, things
do change.

[Dakota]

I don't understand why this is even an issue that people would want to change. It is essentially harmless to those pitchers who pitch in other associations that do not allow the back step - that is, they are not required to step back, so they can ignore the rule. What's the problem?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I don't understand why this is even an issue that people would want to change. It is essentially harmless to those pitchers who pitch in other associations that do not allow the back step - that is, they are not required to step back, so they can ignore the rule. What's the problem?

I agree wholeheartedly. Actually, I for one, wouldn't mind seeing ASA and NCAA allow it.

[hutchbrett]

For me it is more about using international rules. I do not see what is the point of having different rules then changing once international play comes.

Doesn't ASA allow a step back in men's fastpitch? I could have swore that I saw guys stepping back last year at nationals.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by hutchbrett

Doesn't ASA allow a step back in men's fastpitch?

They allow the pitcher to start with one foot behind the pitching plate in Men's FP, which is why I think they should allow the same in Women's and JO.