Why have the rule?

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Mark - Saturday's weather predicts a 40 degree temperature difference between Orlando and Columbus. Now THAT should be illegal!! It's COLD up here!

 

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Sammy - thats just wrong. We might have to move our practice inside!!!

 

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So, it sounds like the rules committee has dropped the wording concerning a "second impetus", or push off point?

Not really, if you define the "push off point" as:

1) The point from which the pitcher initiates the pitch.

2) A point from which the pitcher gains distance toward the batter.

To be a "second starting point", you would have to see the pivot foot drag away from the first starting point, then stop, then push off again and drag away from that second spot. The stride foot would start to land from the first push, then suddenly shoot forward and land an additional stride length from the spot it was first coming down, due to teh second push.

That's just simply not what's happening in those videos.

 

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As an umpire, I called an illegal pitch last week (leap not crop hop). The offending player's coach came to the mound and asked me why I was delaying the game?

 

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What was your answer? Did she correct it?

 

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Sammy I agree. the replant is a definate advantage. Not sure about the leap. But I guess as long as the arm continues to move and the foot stays dragging the ground it's ok.

I think it depends on the leap. I thought some of the leaps in the video was ticky-tack. If they're leaping a few inches off the ground and six or more towards home they're gaining an advantage. imho.

 

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Thats funny!!!:lmao: "Ninja kick"

 

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Not really, if you define the "push off point" as:

1) The point from which the pitcher initiates the pitch.

2) A point from which the pitcher gains distance toward the batter.

To be a "second starting point", you would have to see the pivot foot drag away from the first starting point, then stop, then push off again and drag away from that second spot. The stride foot would start to land from the first push, then suddenly shoot forward and land an additional stride length from the spot it was first coming down, due to teh second push.

That's just simply not what's happening in those videos.

Bret, I have to disagree. The second video that Mark posted shows classic examples of a replant. The pivot foot STOPS it's forward drag and replants, bearing weight on the bent leg, ready for the second push. The moment she pushes a second time (second impetus), she has executed the replant. Whether she drags away from this point is irrelevant. That would have nothing to do with the replant itself. Also, notice how the stride foot remains in the air with no noticeable stop. Classic "replanters" figure out how to balance their weight on the pivot foot and keep the stride foot up - the video clearly demonstrates that. It doesn't "start to land" because they have balanced on the replanted pivot foot.

Actually, very few replanting pitchers truly drag a second time, and watching the video demonstrations, you can clearly see why those mechanics aren't conducive to a second drag. If you are familiar with the "X" or "K" warmup position by pitchers, this is generally the position the replanting pitcher gets to. Depending on the timing of the weight shift onto the landing stride foot, you will see different degrees of "fake drag". I call it that because it's generally just a little kick from the replant hole.

Nearly every well known pitching instructor can explain how this SHOULDN'T be a part of a kid's pitching mechanics if they want to pitch within the rules. I wonder how many college coaches would recruit a kid with mechanics similar to the ones in that second video?

 

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No I called six to eight. The coach removed that pitcher in the third inning.