NCAA Pitching Lane lines

[marvin]

The pitcher's plate is 24 inches wide, the inside lines of the batter's box are 29 inches apart (if marked correctly). Given that the front edge of the batter's box is about 40 feet from the pitcher's plate this means that the pitcher's lane is only about 1 inch wider at the circle end than at the pitcher's plate. If it is obviously wider then it is marked incorrectly (possibly because the batter's box is marked wrong).

The wording of 10.4.1 was changed to coincide with the pitcher's lane. I believe that the pitcher's lane was added to the field markings because of the many complaints of illegal pitches not being called and because the complaints were true a large percentage of the time.

[topper]

Originally Posted by marvin

The wording of 10.4.1 was changed to coincide with the pitcher's lane. I believe that the pitcher's lane was added to the field markings because of the many complaints of illegal pitches not being called and because the complaints were true a large percentage of the time.

I stand corrected about calling by the book. Thanks.

As for why the lanes were added, we probably can all agree that the WCWS was a major factor in the rule change, as it always seems to be. The lines are a good tool, while they last. It wouldn't bother me if the lines were done away with, since I have called the violation without them, but, if we continue to have this lane, maybe the rules should require the grounds crew to redraw them at a given interval, as long as it does not delay the game too much.

Some coaches are asking that they be re-drawn when particular opposing pitchers enter the game. Some requests have been granted, some denied, depending on the umpire's discretion. This has led to some issues and even an ejection. Not sure what the answer is, but hopefully this will be looked at before next season.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by topper

...Some coaches are asking that they be re-drawn when particular opposing pitchers enter the game. Some requests have been granted, some denied, depending on the umpire's discretion. This has led to some issues and even an ejection. Not sure what the answer is, but hopefully this will be looked at before next season.

I would think this would be handled exactly the same way as any other request by a coach to have grounds maintenance re-apply any of the other lines mid-game. How would a request to re-draw the batter's box be handled?

[topper]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I would think this would be handled exactly the same way as any other request by a coach to have grounds maintenance re-apply any of the other lines mid-game. How would a request to re-draw the batter's box be handled?

The word from the Staff was "at the umpire's discretion".

[marvin]

Originally Posted by topper

I stand corrected about calling by the book. Thanks.

As for why the lanes were added, we probably can all agree that the WCWS was a major factor in the rule change, as it always seems to be. The lines are a good tool, while they last. It wouldn't bother me if the lines were done away with, since I have called the violation without them, but, if we continue to have this lane, maybe the rules should require the grounds crew to redraw them at a given interval, as long as it does not delay the game too much. ...

I had to check to make sure they had changed it.

And as one of the guys at our association meeting pointed out every play and every call has the potential to be on the internet (or as he said - yoo-hoos end up on youtube). With the number of softball games shown on TV growing the NCAA can't let obvious violations continue to happen.