USA Canada

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Does International Softball allow the pitcher to replant? USA pitcher (Nevins?) has replanted on every pitch I've looked at closely.

She was not replanting, she was leaping and delivering the pitch with a following through. See the definition as listed by the ISF (which is posted above - which, IMO, is the most apt description of why a leap doesn't constitute a "replant"). Now to expand on this point:

As umpires, we need to forget the word "replant" as there is no such violation in the three major codes at this time (NCAA, ASA and NFHS). If the pivot foot becomes airborne, that's a leap and end of story. A leap is a leap is a leap.

A crow hop is when the pitch "begins" from somewhere in front of the pitcher's plate. For the vast majority of female pitchers, if the hands separate and the drag begins, she cannot (physically) get a second "push point" to deliver the pitch. This is even more so if they arm is in motion; for her to get that second starting point, she would have to stop her arm, gather herself, then pitch . . all after the initial drag.

The confusion arose with NCAA calling "replants," but then changed the interpretation in 2012 after a high profile pitcher* was called for many "replants." The interpretation was the aligned to ASA/NFHS (the book, however, still mentioned about "bearing weight" 10.4.6).

Again, it comes down to body mechanics, once in motion, you continue your motion. A former ASA clinician made a statement: "if the arm is in motion, you cannot crow hop." We need to remember that phrase.

I know there is a highly knowledgeable and respected softball person who believes in the "crow drag." Possible yes, but as I've stated, the arm would have to stop, a regather of the body, and then the second push. That would be very obvious for a female pitcher. Men's pitchers are more apt to crow-drag (notice that the crow hop NFHS videos is a MAN?).

*The high profile pitcher is the subject of this thread.