|
An
Opinion
by Gerald Warner, Softball Pitching
Instructor
With its
exceptionally high visibility as a sport for girls and women, it
would be fair to assume that everybody participating is being
treated equally. However decades ago, as in basketball and
other sports , restrictions were put in girls softball rules
that do not apply to their male counterparts. Presumably the
thinking was to limit girls aggressiveness...to make the sport
gentler and "less risky" than for boys. Today, two such
outdated rules remain that restrict girl and women softball
pitchers, but do not apply to men. We recommend that the NCAA
and the ASA reconsider, and hopefully substantially modify or remove
the fastpitch rules pertaining to:
NO
LEAPING, REQUIRING THE "TOE DRAG"
REAR
FOOT ON, OR TOUCHING AGAINST, THE PITCHING
RUBBER
The image and
reputation of softball, not just in the U.S. but around the world,
has been tarnished by the dramatic increase in the number of
illegal pitch calls recently, for the most part caused by the
"leaping" violation...not keeping the rear foot in contact with the
ground until the forward / stride foot lands. In many cases,
the calls were confusing to the pitcher, her coach, and in the case
of televised games, even the announcers. Pitchers who have
often gone through many years of competitive pitching without being
called for the violation are now experiencing strict enforcement by
umpires. Certainly, if a rule exists, it needs to be
complied with. And pitchers should be trained and coached
to make certain they do not violate current rules. However, we
feel that both the "leaping" rule and the requirement for the
pitcher's rear foot to be on (or touching against) the pitching
rubber are not longer necessary in girls' and women's fastpitch
softball.
TOE DRAG
REQUIREMENT - With respect to leaping (having both feet in
their air at the same time), here is how the ASA (Amateur
Softball Association) rule is different for females vs.
males. Men can leap, women
cannot:
-
(Women’s and all JO Play) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot
in contact with the ground is required. If a hole has been
created, the pivot foot may drag no higher than the level plane of
the
ground.
-
(Men’s) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with
the ground, or if both feet are in the air,
having the toes of the pivot foot in the downward direction is
required.
REAR FOOT IN CONTACT WITH THE
RUBBER - Because a pitcher can transfer her weight from
her rear to front foot to get better acceleration or "explode" off
the pitching rubber, the requirement for the rear foot to be on or
against the rubber can restrict her speed. Here is how the ASA
rule differs between girls and
men:
1.
(Male) 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.
2. (Female)
The pitcher shall take a position with both feet in contact with the
pitcher's plate.
_________________________________
With this obvious
disparity in these pitching rules for males and females, we
encourage to ASA and the NCAA to lead the way.
Do what is right. Forget about what the thinking was when
rules were written "back in the old days". Make fastpitch
rules for pitchers equal and consistent regardless of
gender.
- Gerald
Warner | 
