pitch

[topper]

I haven't found anything in the rule that supports the rule editor's statement of when a pitcher can take/simulate a signal as it relates to the position of the batter. Nor did I find where bringing her hands together prior to the batter entering the box is stated to be a violation, only how long she has to bring them together after that happens and how long she can have her hands together prior to pitching. It looks like there is some "mixing" of the two rules maybe.

I haven't had pitchers do this in my games I don't have a feel of how odd it looks/feels.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by topper

I haven't found anything in the rule that supports the rule editor's statement of when a pitcher can take/simulate a signal as it relates to the position of the batter. Nor did I find where bringing her hands together prior to the batter entering the box is stated to be a violation, only how long she has to bring them together after that happens and how long she can have her hands together prior to pitching. It looks like there is some "mixing" of the two rules maybe.

I haven't had pitchers do this in my games I don't have a feel of how odd it looks/feels.

It is right from her mouth (fingers). But like I said, it is short of which rule is violated. I, personally, would like to see 10.18 broken into three sub rules, one for each "segment." Saw it twice this year (DI and DIII) and last year (DII). Saw it in high school last year as well.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by topper

I haven't found anything in the rule that supports the rule editor's statement of when a pitcher can take/simulate a signal as it relates to the position of the batter. Nor did I find where bringing her hands together prior to the batter entering the box is stated to be a violation, only how long she has to bring them together after that happens and how long she can have her hands together prior to pitching. It looks like there is some "mixing" of the two rules maybe.

I haven't had pitchers do this in my games I don't have a feel of how odd it looks/feels.

Originally Posted by NCAA 10.18

After BOTH the pitcher and the batter are in position, the pitcher has 10 seconds to bring her hands together.

How does the pitcher comply if before the batter, isn't that not after both?

Originally Posted by NCAA 10.18 EFFECT

If the pitcher is in violation of any part of the timing sequence, a ball shall be awarded to the batter.

Wouldn't doing it out of sequence, not AFTER both pitcher and batter are in position, be a violation of the timing sequence, and the penalty stated as a ball on the batter, not an illegal pitch?

Just FYI, I made that call on an ESPN3 game; got an "attaboy" from my coordinator. It helped that the pitcher even had her hands together more than 5 seconds before the batter stepped in; I waited for that, in case she legally backed off and re-engaged in time.

[topper]

Steve - I read 10.18 as limiting the time the pitcher has to bring her hands together, not preventing her from already having them together. For me, it wouldn't constitute a violation of the timing sequence.

The pitcher in your ESPN3 game having her hands together for more than 5 seconds prior to the batter stepping in has no bearing since, by rule, this part of the timing doesn't begin until they're both in position.

Obviously I'm not the Rules Interpreter and must use her interpretation once it's official. I just don't see the rule, as written, supporting that interpretation.