NCAA Pitching Lines Explained
 

Sitting here watching the Texas A&M v. Texas game. Commentators are Mowins, Mendoza and Michelle Smith. In the bottom of the 1st they had a discussion about the 24" lines in front of the pitcher's plate. Key points from their explanation:

1. There is a new rule this year that the pitcher has to stay within the lines.
2. If they get outside the lines "it's like a umm an illegal pitch I think."
3. If it's called "I think it's ummm a ball on the batter unless it's hit. If it's a HR the HR counts but if it's caught it's not an out I don't think." [believe it was Smith who made these two comments.]

See how much you can improve your rules knowledge by listening to the experts? :confused:

How'd you like the dead ball award explaination?
Notice the runner was on second when the ball was in the air.
(Never did find out where she was at the time of the throw):eek:

Smith is the Joe Morgan of softball announcing. In a LL SB World Series game she said you couldn't leave before the pitch because of "safety." :confused:

Yeah, I've heard some of Smith's gaffes over the last couple of years. Despite that it amazed me to hear that exchange from 3 that played at the highest levels and one of which is a pitcher.

My Favorite was a year after she stopped coaching at UCLA, Lisa Fernandez going on and on about the umpires not doing anything about the pitcher who was wearing jewelry. Running a close second is Smith complaining that the umpires were not giving the pitcher a 'warning' for her IP's.

Look, being able to do something doesn't mean that person knows why and how.

Some of the best athletes make the worst coaches and visa versa.

Let's apply the "logic" (or is it "lack of logic") from the statement in red. In fast-pitch, leaving before the pitch is an illegal action that results in the runner being called out. In slow-pitch, it's leaving before the ball is hit, swung at, or crosses the plate. Now if those were in for "safety" reasons, explain baseball's leading off being any more safe than what we have in softball. :confused: