pitch

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by benbret

NFHS fast pitch softball. Pitcher steps on the pitcher's plate with her hands separated.

That's exactly what she's supposed to do. No problem so far.

Originally Posted by benbret

A. She then brings her hands together before the batter is in the batter's box

When a pitcher steps on the plate with her hands separated, she is supposed to then take or simulate taking a sign from the catcher. If she did that before bringing her hands together, it doesn't matter where the batter is located.

And after she brings her hands together, all you need to worry about is whether or not she begins her pitching motion while the batter is not ready to take the pitch. She has one to ten seconds to release the ball after bringing her hands together. That's plenty of time for the batter to get in there and be ready.

If the batter is in the box but isn't ready (e.g., she's still digging in) when the pitcher begins her delivery, the umpire should call a No Pitch and then tell her to wait until the batter is set. That's just a pitching infraction and not really anything illegal.

If the batter is still out of the box, then it's more than likely that the batter has violated the requirement to get into the box within ten seconds after the pitcher has the ball. In that case, a strike is called on the batter.

Originally Posted by benbret

or B. she brings her hands together before the umpire is ready.

Then it behooves the umpire to get ready. There is no requirement for the pitcher to wait until the umpire is ready before she puts her hands together. Heck, unless the umpire has called Time and/or has his/her hand up facing the pitcher, the pitcher could go through with the pitch while the umpire is oblivious.

There have been occasions where I've been surprised by pitchers who work quickly and released a pitch just as I'm getting set. I've never flat-out missed a pitch, but have come close.