Legal Pitch?

[pepsi_2425]

After the pitcher has both feet on the pitching plate and brings both hands together, she 1) drops the ball, 2) begins the pitching motion and loses control of the ball, ball goes backward, 3) loses the ball during her pitching motion and ball moves forward. What is legal and live balls and are any considered an illigal pitch?

 

[Amy in AZ.]

None would be considered an illegal pitch. All are called "ball" by the umpire and runners can run.

 

[softballphreak]

Don't know if the ump was right or not but I have seen 1) and 2) called illegal pitches and runners moved up a base.

 

[starsnuffer]

ASA Rule 6 Section 2 part G states " The release of the ball and follow through of the hand and wrist must be forward and past the straight line of the body".

I read that as if the ball went backwards or was dropped "behind" the pitcher then it would be an illegal pitch. If the ball was dropped in front of the pitcher, then it should be a legal pitch and a "ball".

There is also part N that states "the pitcher shall not deliberately drop, roll, or bounce the ball. . ." So here it's a judgement call on intent.

-W

 

[BretMan]

1) There might be a different ruling depending on the sanctioning body. There are some differences in how some of them define and and interpret "the start of the pitch".

For instance, ASA defines the start of the pitch as when the pitcher's hands separate after being joined. If this pitcher dropped the ball prior to the hands separating, the pitch has not yet started. All you have is a ball dropped by the pitcher, without a "ball" added to the batter's count (since there was no pitch).

As a side note, this loss of possession by the pitcher would free up any runners on base from being under the Look Back Rule and they can advance if they choose.

2) If the ball slips loose during the delivery (after hand separation/official start of pitch) it is considered to be a live pitch. Runners may advance. etc. As long as the "slip" is judged to be accidental, this is not an illegal pitch. A "ball" is added to the batter's count.

3) If the ball slips loose and rolls toward the plate, same answer, EXCEPT...

The batter is still entitled to swing at this pitch if it reaches the area of home plate. If she does, it's the same as any other pitch (could be a base hit, a foul ball, a swing and a miss for a strike). If she does not, then it is a "ball" to her count.

One more on this one...if the catcher, or any other fielder, pops out in front of the plate and grabs this loose ball before it gets to the plate, and the umpire judges that the batter could have hit it (ie: that it would have actually reached the plate area) then you have obstruction against the batter, as she was deprived of her opportunity to hit the pitch. Award batter first base on the obstruction, advance any other runners on base only if forced.

 

[MTR]

One more on this one...if the catcher, or any other fielder, pops out in front of the plate and grabs this loose ball before it gets to the plate, and the umpire judges that the batter could have hit it (ie: that it would have actually reached the plate area) then you have obstruction against the catcher, as she was deprived of her opportunity to hit the pitch. Award batter first base on the obstruction, advance any other runners on base only if forced.

Good call. Got that typo for you.

 

[FPMark]

Two weeks ago, at an ASA qualifier, we were tied 0- 0 in the 5th inning. The opposing pitcher had the ball slip out of her hand durring her delivery. It landed beside her front foot and rolled slowly toward home plate and actually stopped dead center of the plate. Everybody was dead silent and the pitcher takes off her mask, looks at the ball on the plate, and says "Dang, would have been a strike!" Our batter said "Yea, dang, right over the middle!" Even the ump got a little chuckle out of that.

 

[SamG]

John-

Speaking NSA.

#1
Rule 6 Section 2:

The pitch starts when the hands are separated

. So if the hands are together and the ball is dropped, the pitch hasn't started, therefore it can't be illegal. Live ball. If the hands HAVE separated and the ball is dropped...

Rule 6 Section 12:

If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the wind-up or during the backswing, a ball shall be called on the batter, and the ball remains in play and runners may advance at their own risk

Pretty much takes care of #1 & #2.
#3 would be no different than an extremely low pitch. lol

Can't speak about ASA, USSSA, NFHS.

 

[MTR]

No as far as my knowledge is concern,I think all the three balls are considered as ILLEGAL ball and none is considered as LEGAL ball.If any one have proper answer to this question do quote the exact rules for this question...
I am looking forward to know who is right?

What is a legal ball compared to an illegal ball? Wrong COR or compression?

BretMan already provided the correct information.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

John, Welcome to the board. Listen to Bretman. He posts on several boards and uses the same name. He is very experienced and umps many games.