Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Pitching Form Question

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Question, Is there a requirement on how close the hand/elbow must be in relation to the hip upon release of a pitch ?

Happened to see a pitcher who releases about 12-18 inches off to the side almost like a side arm type release. Ump did call illegal pitch once the entire game but admittingly asked other umps opinion after the game and most concensus was illegal.

Is there truly a required max distance from hand to hip upon releaase ?

 

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I believe the rule is related to the hand - elbow relationship but better to let Bretman or another umpire explain it. I think it's basically stated that you cannot have the hand outside (farther from the body) than the elbow.

 

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ASA 6-3-E:

"The delivery must be an underhanded motion with the hand below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow."

 

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ASA 6-3-E:

"The delivery must be an underhanded motion with the hand below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow."

Somehow I just can't picture a rise being thrown legally under ASA rules.

 

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Same with curve ball. The only way the wrist can not be out farther than the elbow is if the arm is in a perfectly straight line. Yes, this is what pitchers should strive for, but short of that, all pitches are illegal.

 

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When throwing all pitches the arm should be as close as possible to your body . The problem that pitchers have is that they close there hips early which causes there arm to get out around there hips and away from there body, which in turn changes your release point. So an answer to your question, the arm should be straight and the only thing that changes position when you are throwing certain pitches is the wrist postion so that you can spin the ball correctly for that pitch.

 

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Thanks for the input......Here is a nice video i was sent, the side arm delivery video was the one i was trying to explain.

http://www.dartfish.tv/WebPresenter/Player.aspx?CR=p2655c1342m9780