NFHS - Pitcher "juggling" the ball while on the pitcher's plate.

[marvin]

For each of the situations below please post if you would rule that an illegal pitch had occurred. If you rule IP please give the NFHS rule citation to support it.

Situation 1) The pitcher steps onto the pitcher's plate with the ball in her pitching hand. As she stands there she is tossing the ball up and down a few inches, catching it in the same hand. She does this one or more times before bring her hands together and starting her pitching motion.

Situation 2) The pitcher steps onto the pitcher's plate with the ball in her glove. While on the pitcher's plate she drops the ball from her glove to her pitching hand. Her two hands do not ever touch. After a slight pause she goes into her pitching motion.

Comments and discussion welcome.

I am looking for NFHS rules interpretations. If you reply based on other rule set please clearly mark which rule set you are basing your answer on.

Edit: I am looking for guidance and discussion here. This is not a gotcha post.

[RKBUmp]

1. Prior to the hands coming together the pitcher can do just about anything she wants. Nothing here to rule on unless she stands there tossing the ball long enough she violates the 20 second rule.

2. The hands have to come together or you have an illegal pitch.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by marvin

Situation 1) The pitcher steps onto the pitcher's plate with the ball in her pitching hand. As she stands there she is tossing the ball up and down a few inches, catching it in the same hand. She does this one or more times before bring her hands together and starting her pitching motion.

This is nothing. No rule cite really, as she's not broken any rule... best we can direct you to is when the pitch starts.

Situation 2) The pitcher steps onto the pitcher's plate with the ball in her glove. While on the pitcher's plate she drops the ball from her glove to her pitching hand. Her two hands do not ever touch. After a slight pause she goes into her pitching motion.

If they never touch, you don't have anything yet. if by "her pitching motion", you mean that the hands DO touch during "her pitching motion", you have nothing. If they do not, you have an IP.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

this is nothing. No rule cite really, as she's not broken any rule... Best we can direct you to is when the pitch starts.

If they never touch, you don't have anything yet. If by "her pitching motion", you mean that the hands do touch during "her pitching motion", you have nothing. If they do not, you have an ip.

+1