Crow Hop - Pitcher

[default]

Sec 4. NO PITCH
C.
The pitcher attempts a quick return of the ball before the batter is in
position or is off balance as a result of a previous pitch.

Bretman, how is "in position" to be interpreted? Feet in the box? Head turned toward the pitcher?

 

[default]

Sec 4. NO PITCH
C.
The pitcher attempts a quick return of the ball before the batter is in
position or is off balance as a result of a previous pitch.

Bretman, how is "in position" to be interpreted? Feet in the box? Head turned toward the pitcher?

Both feet in the box (as required for a legal batting position), batter in her usual batting stance, alert to the pitcher and ready to receive a pitch.

If the batter isn't ready, the umpire should NOT allow a pitch to be thrown. This isn't supposed to be a cat and mouse game to catch batters off-guard. The rule is clear on that. Allowing the pitcher to throw while the batter is off-balance or not expecting it gives the pitcher a huge advantage not intended by the rules. Not only that, it isn't safe. You want the batter to be ready when a fast pitch is heading in her direction.

 

[default]

For discussion purposes, why is this a "No Pitch" and not a "ball" to the batter?

 

[default]

For discussion purposes, why is this a "No Pitch" and not a "ball" to the batter?

That's just the way the rule reads. If I had to make a guess at why it's written that way, maybe it's because an illegal pitch happens when the batter is ready and might still be able to hit the ball, whereas a quick pitch happens when the batter's chances of hitting the ball are greatly reduced.

But that is just a guess. It is what it is- for whatever reason- and what it is is a "no pitch".

 

[default]

My guess is in the case of a "quick pitch" the pitcher had a red light of sorts. She was not permitted to pitch. A ball [or strike] would be called in a situation where she had a green light from the umpire to pitch.