Pitcher Stepping Back Before Pitch (NFHS)

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

You are mistaken about their explanation. The rules committee, based on member feedback, strongly believes participation would be lessened in areas where the pitchers are so ineffective now with that added advantage that they would simply stop playing if the rules changed. Their official statement is that high school softball is not meant solely for the elite athletes, nor simply as a feeder to NCAA. And that is how they honestly feel.

This year's committee will (in June, I understand), consider a proposal to make that one of the "state adoption" options for the future. That should help in states where the members (or state administrators) believe the rule should be changed. It would be interesting to see how many actually would adopt the tougher pitching rule if it is their decision.

I know that Florida uses FED rules for HS softball, but have adopted a state rule to not allow the backward step. They apparently didn't wait for the committee to make it a state option.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I know that Florida uses FED rules for HS softball, but have adopted a state rule to not allow the backward step. They apparently didn't wait for the committee to make it a state option.

NFHS does allow states to alter rules in defined trial periods to present results to the rules committee and members to attempt to persuade rules changes. Florida, in fact, did that with 43' years ago before the national adoption. To my knowledge, they petitioned and were initially refused; and they did wait until permission was granted, so I don't think is a member being a renegade.

I suspect this is part of a trial; and to present statistical basis, not just guesstimates as to the overall affect to batting average, pitching statistics (and if any schools dropped the sport as a result of their actual ineptness).