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PITCHING RULES



QUESTIONNCAANFSH
WIAA
PGF		USA
(old ASA)		NSAUSSSA
Pitcher -both feet may be on or contacting pitching rubber?Yes
Pitcher may start with stride foot (glove side) behind and off the pitcher's rubber?
Also known as "Start Back"		Yes
new 2020		YesYes??No
Pitcher may step backward from mound after starting with both feet touching mound?
Also know as "Step Back"		NoNo
new 2020		NoNoNo
Pitcher may step backward from stride (glove) foot if foot starts behind mound?
Also known as "Start Back And Step Back"
pitcher's hands must be together while stepping back
pitch begins when pitcher separates hands.		NoNo
new 2020		Yes
new 2020		NoNo
Can pitcher rock back on their heels as long as they do not lift feet of stride(glove hand) foot or pivot(ball hand) foot?Yes??
Pitcher's feet must start no wider and within the 24" width of the pitcher's rubber?Yes
Pitcher must pause with hands together for at least one second, not more than 10 seconds after receiving the sign and before starting their pitch?Yes
Pitcher must land stride foot (non-pivot foot, glove side foot) with at least part of their foot in the 24" width of pitcher's rubber?Yes
Pitcher's pivot foot (ball side) must remain in contact with ground until release of the ball?Yes
"Crow hop" or "Leap" are legal?
Note: Olympics use International Rules which allow "crow hop" and "leap".		No



Bill's Opinion



Cat Osterman (current USA Olympic team pitcher) wrote a college theme paper in which she studied the effect of a step back versus a non-step back aproach to pitching.
Her conclusion was that the step back neither added or subtracted from the speed of a pitcher's pitch.

1.Cat Osterman studied a step back with the use of an arm swing (which was legal at the time).
The new rules require you to keep both hands together and the ball in your glove during the step back.
By taking awaing the arm swing you have negated any thrust you get with your upper body
2.Any step back, requires you to straighten your ball hand foot (pivot) prior to starting your forward motion.
When pitchers step backward they now have all their weight on the glove hand foot and rarely shift their weight back over their ball hand foot before pushing off the mound.
This negates the strong push you get from a loaded (bent) ball side leg.
3.It is very hard (near impossible) to load (bend) your ball hand knee prior to pushing off the mound if your weight is behind the mound on the step back.

4.By not loading (bending) your ball hand foot you are unable to have a strong push which helps you propell your hips through your pitch and keep your weight over the balls of your feet
With a weak ball hand foot push and a strong glove hand foot push, the pitcher tends to have their weight transfered to their heels rather the balls of her feet.
Also the week ball hand foot push is usually late, with a straight leg, no power, and tends to drag the pitchers ball hand foot like an anchor, making it almost impossible to power your hips through and finish your arm follow through.
Think of throwing over hand, would you ever throw hard and leave your foot draging behind you?




NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association


click here for NCAA Softball Rules of the Game
click here fo free PDF of the NCAA Softball 2020 and 2021 Rules Book
pages 81 to 89
Two thumbs up to the NCAA for having their rule book as a free downloadable PDF file for everyone!!

Rule 10.2.1.2 10/21/19
The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired.
Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not step back any farther to increase the distance behind the pitcher's plate.

Clarification: The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher takes the proper pitching position required for taking the signal and initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not move that foot in any direction (backward, forward, sideways or off the ground). The proper pitching position as defined in Rule 10.2.1, including the position of the stride foot, must be established before taking the signal. Once the pitcher has established her stride foot, simple dropping or rocking onto her heel is not a violation. The first movement of the stride foot is the forward step when the pitching motion starts.

Conclusion:
You may start with your stride foot (glove side foot) either on the mound or in back of the mound
You cannot step backwards to begin your pitch.




NFHS
National Federation of State high School Associations
(The PGF, Premier Girls Fastpich follows NFS rules)


click here for NFHS softball site
click here for NFHS Pitching Rules - 2020
pages 49 to 56
click here for NFHS Comments on the Rules - 2020
click here for NFHS Video Rules - 2019 (WATCH THIS!)
click here for PGF Premier Girls Fastpitch Rules and Regulations web page

The official Rule Book is available for $10 plus about $11 shipping or downloadable in an Apple or Kindle format for $6.50


6-1-1: Clarifies that any part of the pivot foot is in contact with the pitcher's plate is legal and no longer limits the pivot foot to contacting just the top surface of the pitcher's plate, which reflects current practice.

Softball Points of Emphasis - 2020 - by NFHS on August 28,2019
Contact with the Pitcher's Plate - Due to the varying levels of play and levels of skill in pitching development, prior to the start of the pitch, NFHS rules allow the pitcher to choose foot placement. The pitcher may choose to take a position with the pivot foot in contact with the plate and the non-pivot foot behind the pitcher's plate or both feet in contact with the pitcher's plate. Prior to the start of delivery, both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. This allows for personal preference and developing pitchers to work through levels of progression.



WIAA
Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association


click here for WIAA Softball Rules and Regulations web page
click here for Wisconsin Adaptatiions to National Federation Rules
click here fo 2020 NFHS Softball Rules Change on WIAA

The WIAA does not have their own Fastpitch rulebook.
You must download or purchase the NFHS rule book and use the WIAA adaptations.


Rule 10.2.1.2 10/21/19
The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired.
Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not step back any farther to increase the distance behind the pitcher's plate.

Clarification: The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher takes the proper pitching position required for taking the signal and initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not move that foot in any direction (backward, forward, sideways or off the ground). The proper pitching position as defined in Rule 10.2.1, including the position of the stride foot, must be established before taking the signal. Once the pitcher has established her stride foot, simple dropping or rocking onto her heel is not a violation. The first movement of the stride foot is the forward step when the pitching motion starts.

Conclusion:
You may start with your stride foot (glove side foot) either on the mound or in back of the mound
You cannot step backwards to begin your pitch.



USA SOFTBALL
(formerly ASA Softball, rebranded in 2016)
Plover and Stevens Point, WI follow the USA Softball rules.


click here for USA Softball website
click here for 2020 Rule Changes with Comments -1/25/19

I have been unable to find where USA softball rule books are sold
2019 Rule books are available on Ebay.



Rule 6A, Section 1C:
Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases. The pitcher shall take a position with their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher's plate.
Comment: Allows female pitchers to start with one or two feet on the pitcher's plate. This aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to foot placement.

Rule 6A, Section 1E:
The pitcher shall bring their hands together for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. A backward step may be taken before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher's plate at all times prior to the forward step.
Comment: Allows female pitchers to take a backward step from the pitcher's plate, before, during or after the hands are brought together. This aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to stepping back from the pitcher's plate.



NSA
National Softball Association


click here for NSA website
click here for NSA Official Fastpitch Rulebook 2019
click here for NSA Official Fastpitch Rulebook 2019
pitching rules pages 32 to 34

Two thumbs up to the NSA for having their rule book downloadable to everyone!!







Contact Bill today
Text of call 715-498-4564    bill@billmansur.com
Mailing Address -- 2441 Rainbow Dr. Plover, WI 54467

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