Pitchers Stance has been an issue in Scrimmages this Spring
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They talked to my son about this very thing at our scrimmage on Friday night. His foot position from the stretch appears to be illegal. Hmmm
Originally Posted by BackstopDad32:
They talked to my son about this very thing at our scrimmage on Friday night. His foot position from the stretch appears to be illegal. Hmmm
What is illegal about it?
RHP and he sets up open before he comes set. His left foot is outside of the line from the edge of the rubber straight to the plate.
It's a FED Point Of Emphasis this year, which arose from, as FED calls it, "modified or hybrid positions" showing up in high school games. Although the POE focuses on the placement of the non-pivot (free) foot in determining which position (windup or set) the pitcher has established, the pivot foot has much to do with the problem.
The illegal stance I am familiar with has the pitcher placing his pivot foot across the rubber and the free foot entirely in front of the rubber, and often past the side edge of the rubber. The pivot foot is legal only from the windup position, and the free foot is legal only from the set.
Unlike other codes, under FED rules the pitcher is not permitted to step and throw to a base (including a jump turn or jab-step move) or step and feint to 2nd or 3rd from the windup. He must legally disengage the rubber first. Thus it is particularly important for the runner to know which position the pitcher has established. What makes it more confusing to coaches and players is the fact that this position would be entirely legal under official baseball rules.
Originally Posted by TX-Ump74:
Is this how he starts before his set? This is legal...
Yes. I was clearly confused as well. Appreciate the clarification.
We, in new jersey, have been advised to advise players during the preseason (if we see it) as to the stance being illegal. We do not want to make a BIG DEAL about it but we want the coaches and players to know that it is illegal. BUT there is nothing in the rule book to give us the right to DQ a player...just call it an illegal pitch and balk/strike.
This is not an illegal position.
See GA rules ppt http://www.ghsabb.com/pitching2013.html
Pivot foot is restricted in this position.