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The Fastpitch Bulletin, Volume 15, Number 37 5/26/15

06/27/2015, 9:15pm CDT
By Bob Tomlinson

Men's ISF (International Softball Federation) 14th World Championship - Saskatoon. Saskatchewan

Jeepers Creepers, Crow Hoppers and Leapers

Hello Fastpitch fans,

It's too bad we can't all be up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where the 14th Men's ISF World Championships are being played. It's the biggest event at Bob Van Impe Stadium since the 1987 Interntational Softball Congress World Tournament was held there.

The tournament is a great lead in to a summer filled with pictures and videos that will be coming your way. Most of the pictures and videos will have been taken by me and will depict male and female pitchers in the acts of crow hopping and leaping deliveries. Oh, there will be photos and videos of male and female pitchers following the rules as well. 

Keep in mind that pitching rules in men's and women's games vary in as many ways as there are organizations that claim to sanction fastpitch action. They all seem to have their own set of rules within the rules of the game.

For a first look at a big time crow-hopping male fastpitch pitcher just click the link below. It will take you to a facebook picture of a pitcher from Australia pitching in a pre-ISF World Championship exhibition game up there in Saskatoon earlier this week. 

Pay particular attention to where the ball still is and where the pitcher's right toes, foot and heel are.That white stripe about five feet or so behind his right foot is the pitcher's plate is where he started his delivery.  It's a crow hop! It's not a push and drag.

I have been around the game for a long time and have witnessed some pretty big Bru ha haas over illegal pitching (DeForest, Wisconsin in August of 1968 was the first one I witnessed). I know what a crow hop is, I know what it looks like and I know how to identify it. I also know what a leap is, what it looks like and how to identify it. 

By the end of the summer, if you don't already have a solid grasp on such pitches, you will after viewing all the photos and footage I provide you.

https://www.facebook.com/2015ISFmensworlds/photos/pb.882776831742263.-2207520000.1435354376./1003984879621457/?type=1&theater

 

Here is a link to a picture of a men's pitcher thinking outside the box. Actually it's a picture of a men's fastpitch hurler that is way outside the box (2 foot width of pitcher's plate). There were even a couple of these at the last WIAA state softball tournament. Not quite as far outside the box but far enough to raise eyebrows on people in the know.

 

Have a fantastic fastpitch day!
Keep it Rising,

Bob

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