Article 1 ... Prior to starting the delivery (pitch), the pitcher shall take a position with the pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher's plate. Both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate.
a. Prior to Pitching, the pitcher must take a position with shoulders in line with first and third base with the ball in the glove or pitching hand, and with the hands separately.
b. While in this position, the pitcher shall take (or simulate taking) a signal from the catcher.
c. After completing "b" above, the pticher shall bring both hands together in front of the body for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. The hands may be motionless or moving.
d. The pitcher shall not be considered to be in pitching position unless the catcher is within the lines of the catcher's box, and in position to receive the pitch.
e. The pitcher may no take the pitching position on or near the pitcher's plate without having possession of the ball.
f. The pitcher may remove herself from the pitching position as follows:
1. before the hands come together, the pitcher may legally step back from the pitcher's plate with both feet;
2. when the hands are together and no part of the windup motion has been made, the pitcher may legally step back from teh pitcher's plate with both feet;
3. either foot may be removed first.
PENALTY: (Art. 1) An illegal pitch shal be declared immediately by the umpire (delayed dead-ball signal). The batter is awarded a ball and base runners are awarded oen base without liability to be put out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There was a long period of time in fastpitch softball where the rule stated that the pitcher "must present the ball to the batter prior to starting the pitch." I don't remember the exact year that the presenting the ball part of the rule was removed from the pitching rules but I know it has been about 30 years or more since a pitcher was required to do that.
A couple of weeks ago in a JV game, the umpires insisted that that part of the rule had never been removed from Rule 6. I've provided Article 1 of rule six so everyone; coaches, pitchers, umpires and fans can "bone up" on the rule.
Further more: the pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball or the pitcher makes any motion that is part of the windup after the hands have been brought together. Once the hands are brought together and are in motion, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the hands have come together. The step backward may end before or after the hands come together.
The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground and within th3 24-inch length. If a hole has been created in front of the pitcher's plate, the pivot foot may be no higher than the level plane of the ground. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate is illegal.
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Tag(s): Bulletins
