That's because there are not enough umpires making the illegal pitch call here. Same thing was happening in college ball, which is why they came up with the 2-second requirement. And umpires were STILL not enforcing the rule, so the NCAA changed the rule again to not allow the pitcher to take a signal until she's on the plate.This is a pretty common "style" I see frequently.
NCAA has it right by defining pause.If she is under 20 from receipt to delivery, she’s legal. I interpreted your description as taking an additional 18 after the usual prep and primp period. She doesn’t get 20 from the first contact on the pitcher’s plate (which is how I read your post).
I already said that I likely would not call it based on that video (unless it was NCAA rules which stipulate 2 seconds for the pause), but I would mention to the coach that she is getting awfully close to being called. I don’t like it, but I don’t see enough on that one to call it. Honestly, it looks to me as if she is getting the signal after her hands are together, but you can’t tell from that video.
MIB, in Federation play, this was a point of emphasis this year. Here's what was written in the 2019 NFHS Rule Book:CHSUmp ... just curious on your thoughts ... so how do we get fellow umpires to start calling it?
(My opinion: better training and make it a MAJOR point of emphasis.)
Pitcher Simulating Taking a Signal
While on the pitcher's plate and prior to bringing her hands together, the pitcher must take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher. A signal may be taken from a coach either by hand signals, verbal call, or by looking up on a wristband with a playbook/playcard. The signal obtained from the coach can be taken while on the pitching plate or while standing behind the pitcher's plate prior to taking a position on the pitcher's plate. By rule, the only requirement is that no matter where or from whom the actual signal is obtained, the pitcher must take a position on the pitcher's plate with the hands separated and simulate taking a signal from the catcher. Requiring the pitcher to take a position on the pitching plate and simulating taking a signal from the catcher prior to bring her hands together allows the batter to prepare for the start of the pitch. If the pitcher does not pause after stepping onto the pitcher's plate to simulate taking a signal from the catcher prior to bringing her hands together, an illegal pitch should be called.
If we are umpires we need to know the rules and we need to enforce the rules. Sure there are odd rules with runners, hit by batted balls, have many results, BUT a pause needs to be enforced.I think it doesn't get called where appropriate in USA games for two reasons:
1. Some umpires think the base runners advancing is overkill.
2. Some umpires don't want to deal with the coaches if they do call it.
Just my .02 from some conversations.
I'd like to see USA adopt the two second part of the rule. "Coach, I counted, one thousand and one, one thousand and two. Her hands came together at one thousand and one."
Note college changed the rule for 2020 and 2021. Part of the reason college changed the rule this coming year is it almost becomes a walkthrough. Now in college at least they are required to take the sign on the mound not simulate taking the sign. The ASA rule also states the pitcher must bring their hands together after taking the sign for at least 1 second but no more than 10 seconds before delivering the pitch. I am sure NCAA and NFHS says the same. No one does this and it could be called almost every pitch in games. This is the single biggest non call in any game and probably the easiest illegal pitch for any pitcher to correct. Umps just will not call it unless it is put as a point of emphasis in the years upcoming rules by the NFHS. My advice teach your pitchers the right way(take signs from the mound) and don’t worry about everyone else.The purpose of the rule is to allow the batter the opportunity to get set for the pitch as the pitcher makes contact with the plate. It is not a gauge of how quickly a pitcher can receive a signal and process it.
I think this pitcher is just too quick. Nobody is going to convince me that the catcher can flash a signal that quickly to her after the pitcher steps on the plate. Let’s be realistic here and stop trying to come up with excuses not to make the illegal pitch call.
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Is this screen shot from the new '20-'21Here is the NCAA rule for reference:
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