Pitcher's Stride "Within" the 24" Plate

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Question about the pitcher's forward stride being "within" the 24" length of the pitcher's plate.

NFHS rules state that the stride must be "within, or partially within" the 24" length of the pitcher's plate. They even have that nifty diagram to illustrate foot placement, which shows the stride foot touching the the (imaginary) line and being legal.

Here's a video showing examples (NFHS Rules)

http://www.nfhs.org/web/2008/02/soft..._training.aspx

[BretMan]

I understand the NFHS ruling.

I understand the importance of priorities.

What I need is the ASA interpretation.

(Good discussion, nevertheless).

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by BretMan

...I understand the importance of priorities.

What I need is the ASA interpretation. ...

Assume it is different. How would that affect your call in ASA?

[BretMan]

Then I would call it differently!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Then I would call it differently!

Ha ha , but actually, I was wondering if there is anyone who actually tries to determine if the pitcher's foot is landing partly on the line to just a smidge over... This one has to be obvious as far as I'm concerned, so if (that's "if") ASA says on the line is out, and NFHS says on the line is in, it won't make any difference in a real game. Especially since there isn't actually a line.

[SRW]

From the ASA advanced camp last year in Georgia, ASA's interpretation is the same as NFHS's.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Ha ha , but actually, I was wondering if there is anyone who actually tries to determine if the pitcher's foot is landing partly on the line to just a smidge over...

Any umpire who is paying that much attention to even think they know whether it is on or just outside the H isn't doing the job for which they are being paid.

[BretMan]

Just to put a final nail in the lid on this one, here is an email response from Kevin Ryan, ASA National Director of Umpires.

Bret,

In ASA Women’s or Girls JO we use the same interpretation (as NFHS). As long as part of the foot lands in the 24” length of the Pitcher’s plate they are OK.

Kevin

That is definitive enough for me!