Fastpitch Delivery
 

Is there a limit on how high a fastpitch pitch can be delivered? We came across a pitcher throwing a "change up". However, the pitches had at least a 10' foot arch, before dropping 4 inches behind home plate. PU was calling them strikes, I called bad pitches "slow-pitch pitches", however, I got nothing to go on. And have yet to find anything in the ASA book about limiting the height of a pitch.

And you won't...because it's not there!

There is no minimum or maximum height requirement for pitches in fastpitch softball.

If they are landing four or so inches behind the plate then there is a chance that they are passing through the strike zone while over the plate. Many fans get confused on "rainbow" change ups looking at where the catcher catches the ball vs. where it was when it crossed the plate.

Speaking ASA

I'm sorry, but where do you find "bad pitches" or "slow pitch pitches" in the rule book or umpire manual?

Unorthodox does not equal illegal, just means it is different. If the pitched ball passes through the strike zone and does not hit the plate, why would you call it anything other than a strike?

Strange yes, but why couldn't it go through the strike zone, hit the plate, and still be a strike in fastpitch? I know it would be coming almost straight down. Dave

One good reason is that, by rule, a pitch hitting the plate cannot be called a strike!

I wasn't implying the rule book called it a bad pitch, *i* call it a bad pitch. A "slow pitch pitch" is defined in the rule and it has to have a certain arch. So I my angle was if the rule book says a slow pitch must have minimum height before its called "to flat", then there must be something about the fastpitch not being allowed to go over a certain height. Or else were playing slow pitch again.

However, I did not know the answer. So I asked :o

Fair and honest question, Canary. :)

I called in a smal rec league that had pitchers like the one described.

We called it a "fastpitch rules" league! :)

Because of that dastardly rulebook.