ASA Illegal Pitch

Proper mechanic to call an illegal pitch in ASA Slow Pitch.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• illegal
• pitch
• slow
• slowpitch
• asa
• umpiring
• umpire
• softball

[chrisstevensjunior]

how is this illegal

[NCASAUmp]

@chrisstevensjunior Apparently, you didn't bother to read my comments.

I don't recall why this was illegal. This game was over 2 years ago (didn't post it until months after the game). I really don't remember.

But it doesn't matter. That's how you call an IP.

[chrisstevensjunior]

@NCASAUmp lol wow

[NCASAUmp]

@chrisstevensjunior Hey, you asked the question when half my comments here say, "I don't remember why it was illegal."

[ocbroadband]

@NCASAUmp To your benefit, it looks flat. :)

[chrisstevensjunior]

@NCASAUmp xD

[NCASAUmp]

@alcoraces In ASA, there is no "pitching zone" in slow pitch (other than senior slow pitch). You must start with one foot on the pitcher's plate, and it must remain in contact with the pitcher's plate until the pitch is released.

The important takeaways from this video are:

A) The call is made "down" from the set position.

B) The call is both verbalized and signaled as soon as the infraction is determined.

[alcoraces]

@NCASAUmp Yes, that would be a pretty gutsy (or stupid) call to make if you were to determine the foot was out of the pitching zone as the pitch was being released. No biggie though, I'm just glad to see some videos of ASA umpires in action. SPN umpire here and it's not always easy to explain things as we train so video is great.

[NCASAUmp]

@alcoraces I don't recall why the pitch was illegal, but I don't remember it having to do with his foot.

As far as ASA is concerned, if the pitcher raises his foot off the pitcher's plate as he's releasing the pitch, there is no infraction.

[alcoraces]

If you watch the pitcher's pivot foot it is technically an illegal pitch as he does not maintain contact with the pitching zone while in possession of the ball, but there does appear to be enough arc on the pitch. However, when needing to make that call quickly enough to be fair to the batter, some of those iffy illegal pitches will creep in. It's the mechanic itself that is nice to see in action, and I thank you for these videos.