Pitching rule question

[manitoudan]

I'm too lazy to look it up - is there any rule addressing loud vocal grunts/ screams from a pitcher . We saw a really great pitcher yesterday who for all my years in the game , approaching 15 years with 1000's and 1000's games watched I've never heard a pitcher shriek like this one . Every pitch a 2 syllable YEE AH or YEE Yaw or something crazy . Not a grunt at all . just a loud scream. I assume its legal but just wondering what the rule book says.

 

[manitoudan]

I guess everyone is as lazy as me ? LOL I tried a quick google search and cant find a rule book on line and my book is at home .

 

[snoman76]

I dont see anything in the book that says you cant

 

[manitoudan]

I figured as much but man is it irritating . I know the simple answer is " hit the ball well, score enough runs to get her yanked" but the kid was her home state's POY in the entire state last year. Not an easy task . I wish she was shrieking for me !

 

[cobb_of_fury]

My guess is as long as the umpire doesn't see it as deceptive or making a mockery of the game there is not much you can do about it.

 

[raidian70]

I would think that it would create a great timing mechanism for your hitters.

 

[manitoudan]

My personal opinion is its hugely distracting . But if the rules dont address it then nothing can be done . Its very loud and very odd .

 

[manitoudan]

No on the timing thing , kid has a tremendous change and the vocals dont change a bit . Part of the deception IMO.

 

[Pacerdad57]

had a third baseman in a tourney last summer that slapped her glove in the infield dirt every time the pitcher came through to release...was very annoying and distracting for me as a spectator, but didn't seem to bother the players much.
it did however at times seems to mess with her own pitcher if she mistimed it a hair, the pop just seemed to throw her off a bit if it wasn't very close to the same point every time in the windup.

 

[manitoudan]

I've seen entire Infields do that , on multiple occasions . Louisville Sluggers used to do it with multiple teams , and this kid might have been a slugger kid , she's from western Ky . Irritating/Annoying as heck.

 

[Stretch]

So did you recruit her?

 

[manitoudan]

No , never heard of her until yesterday , her home town is 1/2 hour south of St Louis . She is 6 hours from our campus .

 

[manitoudan]

To be clear she is already playing in college , this was a fall ball game .

 

[FastBat]

To young kids it's probably distracting. But, I agree it's a great timing mechanism once players have seen it more.

 

[Fairman]

Some pitching coaches teach that yell/grunt in an imitation of a kung-fu (or similar) punch. Their theory is that it tightens up the core and adds to the velocity of the punch (read pitch). Does it work.....I don't see many D-1 Pitchers at the WCWS employing the tactic but if they did maybe they'd throw 72 instead of 65.....However, I'm sure that the screamer went home after a weekend very very hoarse.

 

[manitoudan]

To young kids it's probably distracting. But, I agree it's a great timing mechanism once players have seen it more.

Its the opposite . This girl has a truly great change up . The scream doesnt change from her hard stuff to her soft stuff . So if you are going on voice you would have no chance with this pitcher.

 

[softball24_7]

There's one that does it not far from you Dan.. she was dominant throughout her younger years, but is getting rocked pretty good now. She does it to control her breathing, she lets out a hi-yaw like a karate person.

 

[manitoudan]

I need her to out scream this girl .. LOL

 

[FastBat]

There was one I saw last year, I was distracted, it was so loud! Lol! Our players complained the entire time. I can't remember, but I think she did something unusual with her head/neck too? But, I saw her pitching by the end of summer, they were hitting her. Should be interesting to see.

Has anyone ever seen a yeller in 10u and under? I haven't, they must develop it as they age. IDK?

 

[SOFTBALLS14]

Yup, No rule on it... It is irritating, I think more to fans, but the player's seem to tune it out after first few innings...
DD faced one this weekend in college fall game ... She went 2-2 ...with a two run double that almost went out, off top third of fence.
So don't think it affect s them to much! JMO