Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Illegal Pitch call?

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Today at a highschool game our umpire called an illegal pitch for our pitcher stepping outside the width of the pitching rubber.It cost our team a run.I have been around the game for many years and have never seen this called before. I know most pitcher's do this when throwing srew balls or breaking balls,has anyone else had this called?

 

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I have seen it called a couple of times but as you implied it is very very seldom. The times I have seen it called the umpire usually gave a warning first and discussed it with the coach and informed the pitcher. I supposed it depends a lot on the umpire and actually what they see or are looking for at the time.
It is a shame it cost you a run, especially since it is something very seldom called and many pitchers have no clue as to what the infraction was until it is called. As you stated many pitchers do step out for the breaking pitches.

Good luck in the future and hopefully this will not happen again.

 

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I've seen it called once. A warning was given first though.

 

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Odd calls at Odd game turning times seem to be a theme this year at least in High School Softball. I sure hope summer ball doesn't keep on the same theme.

 

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Just in case anyone might think that the umpire was "making stuff up", this is an actual rule on the books and the penalty is indeed an illegal pitch call. Personally, I can remember calling this only a couple of times in a span of hundreds of games.

If it's borderline, instead of saying anything to the pitcher I will talk to her coach about it. My feeling is that telling the pitcher how or where to step borders on coaching, and umpires are lectured to never coach a player. The coach can then use this information as he sees fit, and consider it as a warning- even though it's not officially a warning, as the rules do not instruct an umpire to give a warning for this infraction.

If it's blatant, I would have to call it right away. I would also be more likely to call it if it happened after having had a talk with the coach about it.

In a single umpire game, this is one of those calls that is almost impossible to make unless it is blatantly obvious. As the plate umpire your priority is the ball/strike call. With a 60 mph pitch reaching the plate in about four-tenths of a second, your focus has to be on the strike zone.

In a two umpire game, the base umpire is more likely to make any illegal pitch calls involving the pitcher's foot placement.

On a side note, in the men's game this was so prevelent that the requirement to step within the width of the PP has been lifted, much the same as the rule against leaping was lifted for the men several years ago.

 

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I agree with bretman on when to call this. The point is that there is absolutely such a rule, and in the rule book it does not say that a warning must be given.

Ironically enough I actually watched a pitcher do this repeatedly this weekend and it was never called. I guess it's just a metter of how closely the umpire is actualy watching it. My bet is that the opposing coach pointed it out and then they paid closer attention. Thats normally how these types of calls are made.

 

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My dd has had it called on her once. It was a non sanctioned tourney with HS umps.

 

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I've called it once.

It was blatant and came after an explanation to the coach.
Lefty pitcher started on the extreme left side of the pitching rubber. She would step out then come across her body pitching inside to a right handed batter.

 

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Bretman - I would think it would be easier for the plate ump to see a pitcher's foot outside the lane. A side view by a base ump seems like a very difficult view angle for that call. However, a base ump would be better positioned to see a replant as opposed to a plate ump. I wouldn't expect a single ump behind the plate to call a replant. (But the replant is a completely different topic)

Rules are rules, and they should be enforced by the book if that's the way they were written, especially for high school and above. Teach your pitcher good mechanics, and you won't get surprised in a close game. I believe in warnings for Middle school and below, though. Pitchers are then just learning, and you don't want them to get discouraged before they have a chance to develop into a skilled pitcher.

 

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In our game the home plate umpire made the call and there was no warning. I realize that at the higschool level there should be no need to warn a pitcher but it is frustrating knowing the pitcher had thrown that same pitch at least 20 times before the call was made.I am just glad we won the game even though at the time the run was huge.

 

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Bretman,

Does the entire foot have to be out of the lane, or just part of it?

 

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Doug,

The stride foot can be "on the line" (ie: partially within the width) of the pitcher's plate. It is not illegal until the entire foot is outside of the width.


Sammy,

You have a good point on the plate umpire calling this infraction. He probably does have the advantage of angle to make this call, but does have the disadvantage of needing his primary focus elsewhere (the strike zone).

The really blatant ones, with the stride foot shooting out to the side, will tend to get your attention!

The base umpire in "A" position (no runners on, behind first base) doesn't have a great angle, but has the advantage of being able to focus on the pitcher's feet. In the "B" or "C" positions (behind F4 or F6) it is much easier to see.

 

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Thanks, Bretman... and as always a very clear explanation.

 

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Bretman,

Thanks also from me.

 

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I have seen this year a couple of times in the Wayne County league. ?Why is a umpire worried about this when he got the strike zone and girls rubbing out the the front line of the batter box out.

 

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Bretman-

In regards to calling an illegal pitch for "crow-hopping", would you not agree that this is a call for the base umpire, rather than the home plate umpire? It seems to me that the base ump is at a 90 angle and can certainly see when this is occuring, while the home plate ump is in a poor position to see if the pitcher in fact is dragging her foot. Your thoughts??

 

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Yes, that is what I was getting at in my earlier post. Some illegal pitch calls are easier for one or the other umpires to make. Generally, the base umpire has an easier time with violations involving the pitcher's feet (except maybe for stepping out of the width of the pitcher's plate, as Sammy noted), while the plate umpire has a better view of the pitcher's hands.

Concentrating on the strike zone makes it harder for the plate man to catch some violations. The base umpire must also divide his attention between the pitcher and any runners that might be on base, in case of a leaving early violation.

Of course, either umpire may call an illegal pitch whenever they see it.

 

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Not so much illegal pitches, but I heard several complaints from the stands at college games this spring about runners (usually on first base) leaving early. After I heard the grumblings, I tried to watch the runner's foot leaving the bag and the pitcher's release of the ball. I have to side with the umps on this one - it's pretty darned difficult, especially with other base runners - and I'm talking about three umps! Sure, after the complaining, everyone, including the umps, is watching. But by then, the coach has instructed the runners to be a little more careful. Good base coaches use very aggressive (leaving a tad early) base running early in the game knowing they will usually get away with it at least once before it's called. But by then, they've got that runner in scoring position. Smart ball? I compare it to "playing until the whistle blows" in basketball.

 

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I have called illegal pitch for being outside the 24" plate. The pitcher was set up on the side of the plate with her back foot. In the case you stated I assume the pitcher was not coming direct towards the plate, but stepping outside the 24" plate when delivering the pitch. There is no warning as stated and illegal pitch is called and runners advance. This not a common but one ony the plate umpire can see and call.