2013 NFHS Interpretations

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

I think the difference is the pitcher can not go get the ball out of the glove(bringing the hands together) once they have stepped onto the pitching plate. But she can throw the ball into the glove, and drop the ball from the glove and catch it in the bare hand. WHY they would want to do this is beyond me but it's legal as long as they don't bring the hands together doing it, and hold the ball in glove or hand while taking or simulating taking the sign.

I have seen on many occasions where a pitcher who normally engages the plate with the ball already in her bare hand will step on the plate with the ball in her glove, and then roll it out onto her hand without bringing the two together, before settling and looking up at her catcher for the sign. Just wanted to make sure that was acceptable.

I've also seen it where the pitcher will reach into her glove and pull the ball out while getting settled, and then look up for the sign. That, I assume, is a technical violation of the rule.