illegal pitches?

[clarity]

As an umpire, I can tell you that when we call EVERY single illegal pitch, the coaches go crazy. The fans go crazy. So, we back off a little and maybe call it every few pitches and we get the same craziness from coaches and parents. Just my experience. But, if called every time, pitcher usually corrects or coaches change them out. And I promise, almost, almost, every pitcher and coach know they are illegal but, don't fix it because my brothers and sisters in blue don't call it

What other calls do you let whiny coaches and fans affect?

 

[radness]

As an umpire, I can tell you that when we call EVERY single illegal pitch, the coaches go crazy. The fans go crazy. So, we back off a little and maybe call it every few pitches and we get the same craziness from coaches and parents. Just my experience. But, if called every time, pitcher usually corrects or coaches change them out. And I promise, almost, almost, every pitcher and coach know they are illegal but, don't fix it because my brothers and sisters in blue don't call it

Inconsistency breeds inconsistency,
Beyond that even if every call was correct
Cannot satisfy all of the people all of the time,
even when the calls are right people are not satisfied.

People talk a lot about the tolerance or thick skin that the Umpire needs to have or should have.
Really being on the field
Players can hear it too!
Parents/people on both sides of the field that are continually unsatisfied.
No matter what.
Every player hears it and every player has to deal with how to handle it.

Once you realize that people will complain even when the right call is made.

It is not the umpires Fault why people uproar.
It's usually because they're losing, or didn't get the call their way. If their batters were ripping the snot out of a leaping pitcher it wouldn't matter.

 

[Dabears17]

I'm surprised more people don't complain about a pitcher in NFHS/PGF taking a small step back as part of their load after starting the pitching motion. A lot of pitchers do it and I've only seen it called once in the last 18 months. When pitchers do that they pick up some speed.

 

[mmeece]

I'm surprised more people don't complain about a pitcher in NFHS/PGF taking a small step back as part of their load after starting the pitching motion. A lot of pitchers do it and I've only seen it called once in the last 18 months. When pitchers do that they pick up some speed.

View attachment 25534

Keep in mind the definition of when the pitch starts. It is when the hands SEPARATE

 

[Dabears17]

Keep in mind the definition of when the pitch starts. It is when the hands SEPARATE

Understand. A friend who is a HS umpire attends some of my DD's games and says pitchers are doing this illegally during her games. Probably similar to leaving early.... it's being done, but its hard to see real time.

 

[PJR202]

Also if you understand that the leaping did not lead to the team winning the tournament that will help as well.

It very well could be a big factor. Additional pitch speed from the hop.

 

[PJR202]

In a MS JV game a few weeks back, the opposing team's pitcher was hopping on every single pitch. The umps weren't calling it. We brought it up between innings and NEITHER of them knew the pitcher couldn't have both feet off the ground at the same time. It was mind-boggling. They called it once. She continued to do it, and they just said "if we keep calling it we'll be here all night."

It was a JV game. We didn't care about it. We cared about the kid correcting it for the future so her parents don't continue to waste money on lessons twice a week. And what of that pitching coach that is allowing her to do it?? And her team coach? And assistant coach?

We thought that beat all we had ever seen until two weeks later my daughter is called for an illegal pitch for the same reason, yet her back foot never leaves the ground and her front foot is on the ground before the back foot even leaves the rubber. She doesnt foot drag more than 6 inches. So we have to discuss it, and watch her throw another pitch and find out that yet ANOTHER umpire not only doesn't know both feet can't be off the ground at the same time, but apparently thought dragging the back foot was a requirement.

I thought the umps were bad last year, but this season is a whole other level. Some of the stuff they do and don't call is basic level. I have absolute respect for the job, too. I rarely give an ump a hard time, but the hopping thing is just astounding. It's the most basic rule of pitching motion.

 

[radness]

It very well could be a big factor. Additional pitch speed from the hop.

Can you explain how the Hop helps? Simply asking that because there are other mechanics that are involved in Pitch speed. How does the Hop help that?

It is an assumption that hopping would help. Because there are other factors that go with pitching.

Do think that pitchers can gain distance. But that can be gained while swiping the back toe also.
And does not necessarily mean they will pitch better either

 

[GunnerShotgun]

It very well could be a big factor. Additional pitch speed from the hop.

How much faster do you think? 20mph or 30mph?

 

[clarity]

How much faster do you think? 20mph or 30mph?

I realize this is a joke, but my experience says 5-10% reduction when leapers are forced to not leap.