http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWsrz-zhHYc
Just curious, all I will say is I know who this is, and yes, he actually pitches this way in HS games.
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I don't know why it would be illegal. Ineffective, perhaps, but not illegal as far as I know. There is no requirement that the back foot be on the rubber when the pitch is released.
This video and similar ones have been making the rounds of the various umpiring boards. On those boards, the umpires whose opinions are widely respected generally agree that this is an illegal pitch.
Pitchers frequently lose contact with the rubber as they deliver the ball, but the motion shown in the video is considered to be well beyond the spirit of the rule.
My own rule of thumb, not necessarily shared by the above mentioned umpires, is that the pivot foot should stay in contact until the free foot lands. Any thing else is a hop.
Of course, by rule, an illegal pitch with runners on base is also a balk.
Pitchers frequently lose contact with the rubber as they deliver the ball, but the motion shown in the video is considered to be well beyond the spirit of the rule.
My own rule of thumb, not necessarily shared by the above mentioned umpires, is that the pivot foot should stay in contact until the free foot lands. Any thing else is a hop.
Of course, by rule, an illegal pitch with runners on base is also a balk.
Three Finger is correct. This made the rounds on a couple of boards, with discussion to the Dad, and he was convinced to change the mechanic. Somewhere on Youtube there is a video of the new mechanic and he has eliminated the hop. It doesn't look terribly different but enough to bring it to a legal state.
I'll ask my son if he changed...they are teammates.
Is this considered illegal because the supposed "hop" isn't a step (as in the pitcher is allowed a step back and a step forward)? If so, do the rules define "step"?
One step forward and one step back, is for the free foot, not the pivot foot. I didn't look, but assume this is the video of the kid doing the crow hop/replant?
Looked perfectly "illegal" to me..
Would be interesting to see the view from HP, wonder how easy it is to see from behind the plate?
Seems that the PU might be moving vision up towards the release point about that time, hmmm.
Heck of some body control though IMO. Doesn't look that easy, I played s****r tonight, so, I'll rest up and give it a try tomorrow.
Looks to me like he not doubt gains an advantage by replanting the pivot foot, and I'd consider that the same as taking a step foward with the PF.
Looked perfectly "illegal" to me..
Would be interesting to see the view from HP, wonder how easy it is to see from behind the plate?
Seems that the PU might be moving vision up towards the release point about that time, hmmm.
Heck of some body control though IMO. Doesn't look that easy, I played s****r tonight, so, I'll rest up and give it a try tomorrow.
Looks to me like he not doubt gains an advantage by replanting the pivot foot, and I'd consider that the same as taking a step foward with the PF.