guys, a question for all the pitchers out there. is the pitcher allowed to pause during his delivery, or once he starts must he continue straight thru the pitch? this is a question regarding senior softball.
By the book the pitcher is not allowed to pause, just one continuous motion, I do believe.
I believe that is correct...One continuous motion.
Not only is Gary right about continuous motion through the delivery
a la ASA and SSUSA but a pitcher cannot intentionally make any motion or action
that is "intentionally" distracting to any batter.
That's in the rules in black and white and defines the character
of the ASA/SSUSA style that I've been playing for some 14 years now.
one continuous motion is impossible,once you go back you have to stop,to go back forward,so your continuous motion is stopped right there,now unless you let them windmill,then you can have continuous motion.
You can windmill, as long as you release the first time passing your hip.
Joe, a pitcher's job is to do as much as he can, and the ump's job is to catch him.
Gary19 hate to disagree but you can't windmill.Windmill is a complete rotation of the arm. As you stated Rule 11.6 D "Pitcher must deliver the ball towards home plate on the first forward motion past the hip underhand.
You can swing your arm back but once you start forward you can't stop.
Fred, I disagree about the windmill being illegal and I think Gary19 meant it the way you describe it. I occasionally use a windmill, but I am always careful to start with the ball in front of me, not taking a small swing back first. That way I don't pass my hip twice. This has been a no-no in fast pitch as well at least since the 1950s when I started pitching (heard that back in the early days, guys would windmill two, three, four times so that the batter wouldn't know when the ball was coming, thus the once-past-the-hip rule).
Whether einstein is correct on this being distracting is a matter of opinion. Would be nice to get some clarification on the distraction rule, as well as what was the intent of distraction (I have watched einstein pitch and he does several things that are distracting to some batters).
Omar, that is correct. Exactly what I meant.
Yes a windmill is fine as long as you only go past the hip once.
guys, the reason i asked the question was because a pitcher was starting his motion towards home plate paused for a moment then continued his pitching motion. in this particular instance it didn't involve anything to do with windmilling. thanks for all the input, great to hear different opinions on the subject.
amr,can ya clear it up a little more.was he going back then pausing then coming forward with the pitch.i will at times go back and pause for a second then come forward when i pitch against the kids to try and throw their rhythm off,but hey it is slow pitch.
