I see you found the old Bret-signal!
The ASA and NSA rules are are essentially the same- just some minor differences in how they are worded. One way they are alike is that
neither uses the term or phrase "present the ball"! So, from a rules standpoint that phrase is meaningless.
ASA has "Pitching Preliminaries" that the pitcher must adhere to prior to delivering the pitch. NSA doesn't call them that, but has the same requirements.
Speaking ASA, prior to delivering the pitch the pitcher must:
- Contact the pitcher's plate with both feet.
- Have the hands separated. The ball can be held in either the bare hand or glove. The ball may be either in front of or behind the body. There's nothing that requires the pitcher to hold the ball in some way that it is visible (presented) to the batter.
- While in this position, the pitcher must either take
, or simulate taking, a signal from the catcher. All this part of the rule does is force the pitcher to pause momentarily before starting her delivery. This prevents the pitcher from stepping right on the plate and rolling through with the pitch to catch the batter off-guard (quick pitch).
- After completing the above, the pitcher must bring her hands together for not less than one second and not more than ten. Just touching the hands in interpreted as meeting the "not less than one second" requirement. The hands can be stationary or in motion while they are joined.
- For purposes of the rule, the pitch officially starts when the hands separate after bringing them together. Up until they separate, the pitcher can legally terminate the pitch by stepping back of the pitcher's plate with either foot.
What part of this was there a problem with in your game?
