Contact with pitching plate

[mg43]

I just started coaching in an area where fast-pitch softball is relatively new. My 12 year old pitcher uses a slingshot style delivery whereby she drives off of the pitching plate with her pivot foot to gain most of her power. Her momentum, of course, moves her toward the catcher and she drags the pivot foot forward 6 to 12" each time. The pivot foot never leaves the ground. My opposing coach argued that it is an illegal pitch because her pivot foot does not remain in contact with the pitching plate through the time at which the ball is released from her hand. I'm a newbie but I have watched high school and college windmill pitchers leave the rubber before the ball is released. Tell me if I am missing something here. I had a difficult time defending my pitcher even though I'm fairly certain that I am right. Hopefully I'll find the rule in the ASA book.

[Dakota]

What did the umpire say? Probably said your pitcher was legal. It is a fair possibility your opposing coach was just trying to mess with your pitcher.

The rule you are looking for, I think, is ASA 6-3-I. (Make sure you are looking at Rule 6 - Fast Pitch, since there are 3 rule 6's in the book - Fast, Modified, and Slow Pitch).

Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the gound is required. If a hole has been created the pivot foot may drag no higher than the level plane of the ground.

[mg43]

The umpire ignored her protest. So, in a way, he agreed that she was legal. She did make the claim that the umpire that works her area will call the pitches illegal. I'll be prepared.

Thanks for the response and rule location.

[Skahtboi]

The pitch, as long as her foot remains in contact with the ground, and all other aspects of the delivery are within the parameters of the rules, is legal. If any umpire rules it otherwise, then they are incorrect in their interpretation of the rule. However, I noted that you said that you would be "prepared" when you encounter that umpire. How do you plan to handle it if he does call illegal pitch? Have you given that any consideration? You shouldn't just march out there and tell him/her that they are wrong in their call. That will only create animosity.

Do you know what guidelines are in place in this league concerning protests if you feel that a rule is being misinterpreted by the umpire?

The first thing you should do, if the umpire does call illegal pitch, is to simply ask why, as though you are wanting to learn. If he says that her pivot foot must remain in contact with the rubber until she releases the ball, then ask him what he saw. Did he see her foot drag away from the pitching plate? Were all other aspects of her delivery legal? If he says yes to all of them, tell him at that point that you wish to lodge a protest based on his interpretation of the pitching rule. If he has a rule book there, he may resolve the problem without it going to a protest committee, and will have learned something in the process.

However....always.....and I cannot stress this enough, always be polite and courteous.

Scott

[Edited by Skahtboi on Jun 14th, 2002 at 08:08 PM]

[mg43]

My first thought was that I would tell them that they are wrong and pull out the rule book. I like your advice much better. This is a very loosely run league intended to introduce the girls to fastpitch and prepare them for eventual high school tryouts. I don't even know if protest procedures are in place. We are all very low on the learning curve. I will handle myself in a calm and polite manner and hopefully we can make this league a little better.

[Dakota]

Pay careful attention to Scott's recommended approach.

If your league has protest procedures, you will not be able to protest an umpire's judgment (ball, strike, out, safe, etc.) Scott was giving you an approach that would get the illegal pitch call out of the realm of judgment and into the realm of misapplication of the rule. You want him to tell you what he saw, and what he thinks the illegal action is first before you state your case. In other words, you want him to give you grounds for the protest.

Also, be aware that many umpires consider a coach bringing the rule book out onto the playing field to be an ejectable offense. You can refer to it all day in the dugout, but don't bring the book out onto the field unless the umpire asks you to.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

The pitch sounds perfectly legal to me........

Pay special attention to Scott and Dakota on how you approach any umpire on this.......and have your ammunition (along with rule #'s......in this particular case it is ASA 6-3-I and a great Point of Emphasis POE#38)......

This might help you in your quest.........grin

Joel