Illegal Pitch? What is Your Opinion? (Video)

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Assuming that these pitches were being thrown in a game...Would you be calling an Illegal Pitch?

YouTube - Pitching Video

Illegal..but needed the slow motion frames to see it.

[AtlUmpSteve]

At the risk of restarting an old disagreement with WMB, that video is a perfect example of a version of a crow hop despite the hands being together; the pitcher is driving off, and replanting, and gaining a new impetus from the second location.

I believe he has stated in other posts that this is a legal ending of the drag; I don't agree.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

At the risk of restarting an old disagreement with WMB, that video is a perfect example of a version of a crow hop despite the hands being together; the pitcher is driving off, and replanting, and gaining a new impetus from the second location.

I believe he has stated in other posts that this is a legal ending of the drag; I don't agree.

I still don't get the "hands" inclusion in a crow hop issue. In the video, the hands are clearly separated prior to the foot exiting the area of the plate.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

Illegal..but needed the slow motion frames to see it.

I don't know about that. I saw it immediately. We've had several discussions around here about how the crow hop name gives (especially newer) officials the wrong idea of what to look for. It is still illegal even if it is a crow slide.

With that being said, if you are ever unsure, just go brush the plate and it is usually obvious when you see the consistent push off point in front of the pitching plate.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by SC Ump

I don't know about that. I saw it immediately. We've had several discussions around here about how the crow hop name gives (especially newer) officials the wrong idea of what to look for. It is still illegal even if it is a crow slide.

With that being said, if you are ever unsure, just go brush the plate and it is usually obvious when you see the consistent push off point in front of the pitching plate.

Dan,
Thanks for the tip..I'll definitely use it. My comment about "needing slow motion" is not so much about being a newer (inexperienced) official. I just could not (from the video) definitely determine if she was illegal at full speed from either the rear or the side view....to the point of being able to explain why (if asked) it was an IP when I called it. This is not say that I would not have been able to see the gap between her pivot foot and the ground or the absence of drag, or the replant of her pivot foot if I had been on the field....just couldn't clearly see what part wasn't legal at first pass.
BTW...even viewing again AFTER reading your post...I still needed slo-mo to catch it.
Thanks again for the tip.