Is this an illegal pitch

[paulg68]

We have a pitcher that starts with pivot foot on the rubber and non pivot foot touching the rear of the rubber within the width of the rubber( perfectly legal). When she pitches she lands with here non pivot foot outside the rubbers width when delivering the pitch. Most times the heal would land withing the rubber width but sometimes it is outside the rubber completely. She is basically stepping across here body to through a curve that starts at a right hand batter and breaks away. We really don't find anything in the book about the non pivot foot landing outside on delivery as being illegal unless it starts outside at the stance.

This is NFHS rules HS varsity softball

[MD Longhorn]

The entire pitch must be delivered from within that 24" width, when your pitcher is outside that, she's illegal.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by paulg68

We really don't find anything in the book about the non pivot foot landing outside on delivery as being illegal...

You're just not looking hard enough.

See 6-1-2-b.

Once the hands are brought together and are in motion, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the hands come together. The step backward may end before or after the hands come together.

NOTE: "Toward" is interpreted as within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. (See "Figure")

In addition, the referenced "Figure" shows that the stride foot landing outside the 24" width is illegal.

[paulg68]

Originally Posted by BretMan

You're just not looking hard enough.

See 6-1-2-b.

Once the hands are brought together and are in motion, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the hands come together. The step backward may end before or after the hands come together.

NOTE: "Toward" is interpreted as within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. (See "Figure")

In addition, the referenced "Figure" shows that the stride foot landing outside the 24" width is illegal.

I saw that, but that shows the NP foot outside to start. So how you interpret that if her heel hits the rubber width line toward the catcher she would be legal then correct? As long as she starts with NP inside the rubber's width.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by paulg68

I saw that, but that shows the NP foot outside to start. So how you interpret that if her heel hits the rubber width line toward the catcher she would be legal then correct? As long as she starts with NP inside the rubber's width.

Starting or stopping does not matter, any of those with either foot outside "the lane" is illegal (the pitch/delivery, not the pitcher).

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by paulg68

I saw that, but that shows the NP foot outside to start. So how you interpret that if her heel hits the rubber width line toward the catcher she would be legal then correct? As long as she starts with NP inside the rubber's width.

If either foot is completely outside (i.e. NOT touching the 24" width at all) the 24", it's illegal. You seem hung up on whether the NP foot started inside or outside mattering wrt where it ends up. Keep in mind that 99% of the illegal pitches of this variety are exactly that... NP starting on the pitchers plate, and ending up 6 inches outside the 24" - doing that is illegal.

[paulg68]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

If either foot is completely outside (i.e. NOT touching the 24" width at all) the 24", it's illegal. You seem hung up on whether the NP foot started inside or outside mattering wrt where it ends up. Keep in mind that 99% of the illegal pitches of this variety are exactly that... NP starting on the pitchers plate, and ending up 6 inches outside the 24" - doing that is illegal.

Thanks for the feedback. Our pitcher starts well inside the 24" but her heel hits the line across here body when she throws a curve or change up. I was just concerned about 80% of her foot being out at delivery towards the plate. We actually put a line down to see how much or if she was outside the 24". We know coaches are going to say something because it is a good pitch and just want to have the facts that her foot touching the imaginary line constitutes a legal pitch. We don't have the lines on the field in our state for HS.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Also....it is a pitching plate....not a rubber.....you would not want a British person to mistake your "rubber" for an eraser......

Joel