Pitching videos.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

And ASA offers the exact same guideline in their rule book, under the "Crow Hop" paragraph in R/S #40. So it's not just an NFHS thing!

I understand it CAN be an indicator, but it really isn't relative to the call which is what I was hearing at this clinic. Watch some of the top pitchers. "When" they replant off the drag (and it can be done, see Cat Osterman), the ball is in the pitching hand alone, often at twelve o'clock.

I believe this "tell" is based more on the pitcher that slides the pivot foot forward off the pitcher's plate prior to begining the pitch.

My point is that just because the hands are separated does not make the pitch legal.

[DaveASA/FED]

That is true, it can be a leap, or replant!! Starting a pitch somewhere other than the pitching plate is a crow hop, pitch starts when hands are seperated so if hands are seperated can't be a crow hop. Point is they are all illegal, just call illegal then explain why....

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

My point is that just because the hands are separated does not make the pitch legal.

I do not disagree at all with that point.

My personal opinion is that the hand positions should be irrelevent. It is the foot position that should be focused on.

Both ASA and NFHS offer interpretations contrary to my personal opinion. And they're the boss!

Regardless of the hand position, a pitch can, of course, be illegal for a variety of other reasons. The interpretive material suggests that those "other reasons" just don't technically fall under the definition of "crow hop".