Pitching question

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Is a back swing legal? Yes.
Is a stop necessary to have a back swing? Yes.

So, where does the rule state how long the stop at the back of the back swing can be?

And, if you claim "immediately" means "infinitesimally small", explain how the word "immediately" clearly does NOT mean that in the look back rule.

The purpose of these pitching mechanics rules is to not have the batter be deceived as to the start of the pitch and when in the pitching motion to expect the release. Was this deceiving anyone? (e.g. Did she do this sometimes or all the time?)

I didn't read from the OP that the pitcher executed a backswing. She reached into her glove while on the plate, pulled the ball out, and then put it up against her hip for, as Andy wrote, "a noticeable pause". That's a stop in her motion, not a backswing, as I envision it.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I didn't read from the OP that the pitcher executed a backswing. She reached into her glove while on the plate, pulled the ball out, and then put it up against her hip for, as Andy wrote, "a noticeable pause". That's a stop in her motion, not a backswing, as I envision it.

Do the rules define a backswing? Does it have to go past the hip?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Do the rules define a backswing? Does it have to go past the hip?

No they don't, so it leaves it to us to judge it. And I judge a pitcher removing her hand from the glove and then placing it against her hip and stopping is not a backswing. There is no element of "swing" in there.