ISF Pitching Rules 2010

An Explanation

ISF 2010 Rule changes

1. Hands must separate as pitcher pushes off the pitchers plate

2. The pitcher can be airborne (both feet off ground)

2 x New Rules:Hands separate/Airborne

Old rule – one foot still in contact with the ground

New Rule:Drive up off the ground

General Pitching RulesRULE 6

• 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball or after umpire says ‘Play ball’

• Pitcher in Pitching Circle with the ball - all

runners must be on the base

Takes signalPitcher has ball in either glove or bare hand (hand behind back is OK)

Both feet in contact with the pitchers plate

Hands are apart while looking at the catcher

Hands together

Glove hand and bare hand come together Must pause for 2 seconds…and no longer than 5 seconds

After the 2 sec pause

• Pitchers feet must stay in contact with the pitchers plate

• The pitcher must push off from the pitchers plate

Must push off from the pitchers plate…

1. Slide Forward 2. Slide forward & to side 3. Slide forward & rotate

Keep contact with the plate

• Cannot lift foot up & put down• Cannot move backwards• Cannot step with pivot foot

• Can lift toe as long as heel is in contact• Can pivot foot• Can slide foot across plate• Can clear cleats (slide forward)

Legal

Legal

Legal

Legal

Legal

Stay in contact with plate

• Heel against plate & lifting toe = OK• Toe/heel lifting, pivot foot twisting = OK• Sliding foot across plate = OK• Heel on top of plate & clearing cleats = OK

• Double step = ILLEGAL (Crow hop)

Crowhop - ILLEGAL

• Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitchers plate is a “crow hop”

ILLEGAL

ILLEGAL

ILLEGAL

ILLEGAL

Must push off from pitchers plate

NEW ISF RULE #1:

• Hands separate and cannot be joined in the glove…

…when the pivot foot loses contact with the pitchers plate

…may hide the ball behind the glove however pitching hand with ball & the glove must be separated

Hands must separate as pitcher pushes off from plate

NEW ISF RULE #2:

• The pitcher can be airborne

• After the push off with the pivot foot the pitcher may drag, jump or leap

Both feet can be off the ground

Airborne = LegalHands = ILLEGAL

Land & release – continuous motion

Leaping – the expert