Are you allowed to step back in softball pitching?

A backward step may be taken before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher's plate at all times prior to the forward step.

Can you step back when pitching?

NFHS ONLY: As part of the delivery the pitcher can step back with the non-pivot foot prior to or simultaneous with the hands coming together then take a forward step with that foot and deliver the ball. Once the hands are together no further backward step is allowed.

What is illegal pitching in softball?

The five most common called illegal pitches in softball are crow hopping, re-planting, stepping outside the pitching lane, a pitcher's back toe losing contact with the rubber, and for the younger pitcher's failure to present hands apart when stepping onto the rubber.

What is the step back rule in high school softball?

For NFHS and USA softball, the pitcher may start in her preliminary position with the pivot foot in contact with the pitching plate and the stride foot either in contact or behind the plate. One step backwards with the stride foot may be taken. It must begin before the hands are separated after being brought together.

How is step back legal?

In the Rule 10, Section XIII section, it explains why Harden can use his step-back jumper. According to the section, "A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball."

2020 New Softball Pitching Rule Changes

Can you step back when pitching from the stretch?

While in the stretch position the pitcher can legally: Pitch. Step and throw to a base. Disengage from the rubber.

What is an illegal pitch?

An illegal pitch may be quick pitch (i.e. a pitch made before the batter is properly set in the batter's box), a pitch made while the pitcher is not in contact with the pitching rubber, or one in which he takes an extra step while making his delivery.

What are 2 rules of pitching?

The pitcher must stand facing the batter and his pivot foot must be touching the pitching rubber. (More about foot positions below.) Before delivering the pitch, he will bring both hands together in front of his body.

What is an illegal pitch in softball 2022?

(s) The pivot foot must remain in contact with or 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. When the pivot foot leaves the ground it is considered a "leap" and is considered an illegal pitch.

Why does softball pitcher drag her back foot?

A premature foot turn will cause the heel to drop in the pitch. The result is a pitcher who has an anchor for a drag foot and struggles to finish her pitch. A pitcher with a proper drag would keep the heel up and toe down throughout the pitch, allowing for a complete and faster finish with the legs.

What is the hardest pitch to hit in softball?

The rise ball is unique in the simple fact that it can literally jump anywhere from 6-to-15 inches just a couple of feet away from the plate. "A good rise ball pitcher — if she's throwing it for a strike — can move it a good six inches," Bogart said.

Can softball pitchers step off rubber?

The rules mandate that the pitcher's pivot foot must remain in contact with the rubber or must drag on the ground away from the rubber on the delivery motion. It's legal if the pivot foot turns or slides as the pitcher pushes off the rubber, providing there is no loss of contact with the rubber.

Can your back foot leave the ground when pitching softball?

FIFTH, as the pitcher delivers the ball, the back (power) foot or pivot (right for right handed pitchers) foot must remain in contact (or level) with the ground. Any skip or hop that results in the foot leaving the ground and being planted before the pitch is considered an illegal “Crow Hop pitch.”

How many steps can you take when pitching?

He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot.

What is a 3 pitch inning called?

One such rarity is the immaculate inning. You've probably heard of it -- an immaculate inning is when a pitcher strikes out all three batters in an inning, on three pitches each.

What is the legal pitching position?

Pitchers are permitted to use two legal pitching deliveries -- the windup position and the set position -- and either position may be used at any time. A pitcher is considered to be in the windup position when he puts his pivot foot on the pitching rubber and has both shoulders facing the batter to some degree.

What is the rarest pitch?

Definition. A screwball is a breaking ball designed to move in the opposite direction of just about every other breaking pitch. It is one of the rarest pitches thrown in baseball, mostly because of the tax it can put on a pitcher's arm.

What are 5 rules of softball?

What are the 3 rules about a pitch?

Why is crow hopping illegal in softball?

Crow hopping is still very much illegal. A leap is when both feet are momentarily air born, and a crow hop is when the drive foot re-plants and pushes off again. Let me also be clear, BOTH leaping and crow hopping are extremely detrimental to pitch command and speed.

Can a pitcher step on the mound without the ball?

In professional baseball, under Rule 6.02(a)(9), a balk occurs if the pitcher is standing on or astride of the pitching rubber without the ball. As play after a foul ball, hit batsman, or time out, must not resume until the pitcher is on the pitcher's mound, the infielder cannot use these times to obtain the ball.

Is Garcia's wind up legal?

MLB informed the Astros that Garcia's "rock the baby" pitching windup is no longer legal under the new pitch timer rules. The new rule states that a pitcher must have a clear point to begin his delivery in order to stop the pitch timer.