Fastpitch question

[Rita C]

Saw this today. I was not one of the umpires.

Pitcher toes the plate with her free foot. The pivot foot is behind the plate. She takes the sign. She then steps on the plate with her pivot foot, immediately puts her hands together, and starts her pitch.

What do you have?

Rita

[Dutch Alex]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Saw this today. I was not one of the umpires.

Pitcher toes the plate with her free foot. The pivot foot is behind the plate. She takes the sign. She then steps on the plate with her pivot foot, immediately puts her hands together, and starts her pitch.

What do you have?

Rita

What I don't have is an complete stop, so I have a stretched left arm and a call (DDB and a IP)

But you knew that already, didn't you?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by rita c

saw this today. I was not one of the umpires.

Pitcher toes the plate with her free foot. The pivot foot is behind the plate. She takes the sign. She then steps on the plate with her pivot foot, immediately puts her hands together, and starts her pitch.

What do you have?

Rita

ip

[RadioBlue]

IP all day.

[umpirebob71]

Originally Posted by RadioBlue

IP all day.

Or night.

[Rita C]

Glad we all agree.

It wasn't being called. One of the things I noticed is that the first thing she did when she came out to warm up, was cover the plate with dirt. But from first and third it should have been seen and called.

I also noticed that PU was putting the ball in play with her pivot foot behind the plate.

OOPS!

Rita

[HugoTafurst]

Wasn't it just recently that they re-wrote the rule to require contact with the plate to put the ball in play?

To be honest, I can't remember ever paying attention to that requirement.

Also, if I remember correctly (and I'm thinking HS wording), even now, "contact" with the plate is required. That does not necessarily mean both feet in contact...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I also noticed that PU was putting the ball in play with her pivot foot behind the plate.

Where else are the PU's feet supposed to be?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I also noticed that PU was putting the ball in play with her pivot foot behind the plate.

OOPS!

Rita

Rita, I believe that's only a requirement in LL Softball (I assume that's what you're talking about, since you didn't mention it). I don't think there's a requirement in other organizations for the pitcher to "toe the plate" in order for the umpire to say "Play Ball."

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Where else are the PU's feet supposed to be?

OK, wise guy, which of the PU's feet is her pivot foot?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dakota

OK, wise guy, which of the PU's feet is her pivot foot?

I would think it would be the one she pivots on.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Rita, I believe that's only a requirement in LL Softball (I assume that's what you're talking about, since you didn't mention it). I don't think there's a requirement in other organizations for the pitcher to "toe the plate" in order for the umpire to say "Play Ball."

2011 NFHS 5-1-4

ART. 4 . . . After a dead-ball situation, the ball becomes live when it is held by the pitcher on the pitcher’s plate and the umpire calls and/or signals “Play Ball” and gives a beckoning hand signal.

Like I said, I believe this was a recent change, but cant look up older versions of the rule right now.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

2011 NFHS 5-1-4

Okay, I guess it exists in FED ball. I just couldn't find anything in the ASA book.

And even the FED rule you quote doesn't say the pitcher must have her pivot foot on the plate.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I would think it would be the one she pivots on.

Correct. As long as she has not moved either foot after getting possession of the ball, either foot can become the pivot foot. Once she moves one foot, the other foot becomes the pivot foot - until and unless she passes the ball or begins dribbling.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Okay, I guess it exists in FED ball. I just couldn't find anything in the ASA book.

And even the FED rule you quote doesn't say the pitcher must have her pivot foot on the plate.

I don't think I said anything about pivot foot.
It was those other guys.
I also don't remember anyone paying attention... Contact or not.

But I am curious if anyone remembers that it was worded differently and changed around 2010.