Pitcher Stepping Back Before Pitch (NFHS)

[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).