NCAA recommends chalked pitching lane

[Tucson]

Committee strikes at softball pitching lane


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July 23, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -

By Greg Johnson, The NCAA News

Softball teams around the nation are going to have to break out more chalk if the Playing Rules Oversight Panel approves a recommendation by the NCAA Softball Rules Committee.

Next spring, the rules committee wants to see two nine-foot lines painted on the field, beginning within the outer edges of the pitching plate (rubber) that extend toward the inner edges of the batter's boxes.

The new lines will clearly mark the pitcher's lane that is already defined in the rulebook. If the change is approved, instead of an umpire making a judgment call as to whether a pitcher took too wide a stride while delivering the ball, it will be clearly defined.

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel will meet via conference call September 3 to consider the recommendation.

If the pitcher's foot is completely outside the line on her stride, the pitch is illegal. If the batter does not reach first base safely and all other base runners safely advance at least one base, then the offensive team would have the option of taking the results of the play or having the effect of the illegal pitch enforced.

When the offensive team elects to have the result of the illegal pitch, a ball is called on the batter and any base runners advance one base.

"This has been on our radar for a while," said Dee Abrahamson, NCAA secretary-rules editor for softball. "It will be a visual cue for the pitcher to know where she is allowed to step. It's better for the umpire because he or she has a visual aid to help with the rule."

The rules committee thought a modification of the rule was needed because pitchers can gain too much of an advantage the wider they are allowed to stride.

"When you throw a curveball or a screwball, the more you can get your hips out of the way the more spin you can get on the ball," Abrahamson said. "We've always said you have to go forward within the imaginary lines. Now, we're giving you a visual indication of where those lines are."

Two other proposed rule changes have to do with safety issues.

The first calls for any student-athlete coaching at first or third base to wear a helmet, which would make the NCAA rule consistent with both the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Amateur Softball Association playing rules. Adult coaches would not be required to wear helmets while coaching the base runners.

The committee also recommended a change to a rule involving a thrown bat on a backswing. On the first occurrence, the entire team would be warned. If another bat is thrown carelessly on a backswing by a player on the team that has received the warning, that player would be subject to ejection from the game.

Previously, each individual was allowed one warning and could be ejected on a second violation.

The committee believes the change will better protect the catcher and home-plate umpire, as well as the on-deck batter.

[CB_8]

I don't see it being called if approved. I routinely see slappers out of the box and it is not called.

[Ace]

If its a rule, the umps will see it as a new toy to play with, and will be chomping at the bit to call it. I just had a pu call a girl for leaving early, AT A FRIENDLY! When I asked how he could watch the strike zone, the pitchers hand, and the runners foot all at the same time, he told me its because he has been umping for twenty years. The following comments lead to my first ever ejection, as a player or a coach. At a friendly.

[Bill_B]

How long before those lines are completely obliterated by a defense? Pitchers regularly repair the stride and push-off areas to remove holes, ditches, and bumps. Look at what happens to the batter's boxes.

It takes long enough as it is to get fields ready between games and now we want to add more chalk lines whose accurate placement will be a considerable source of contention. I think one will have to run a string line from center of rubber to tip of plate and then measure from the center out, which will take a fair bit of time. It will also expose fields that are not well laid-out since the placement of the rubber relative to the plate and second base will suddenly be revealed.

This idea seems ill-conceived and not thoroughly reviewed.

[txsoftballfan]

How long before those lines are completely obliterated by a defense? Pitchers regularly repair the stride and push-off areas to remove holes, ditches, and bumps. Look at what happens to the batter's boxes.

It takes long enough as it is to get fields ready between games and now we want to add more chalk lines whose accurate placement will be a considerable source of contention. I think one will have to run a string line from center of rubber to tip of plate and then measure from the center out, which will take a fair bit of time. It will also expose fields that are not well laid-out since the placement of the rubber relative to the plate and second base will suddenly be revealed.

This idea seems ill-conceived and not thoroughly reviewed.

Or could it be that it might be of some concern to those who have daughters that pitch?

[Bill_B]

Or could it be that it might be of some concern to those who have daughters that pitch?

Well, then, of course there is that concern as well

[Tucson]

How many pitchers, out of the hundreds that we watch, ever leap out of the lane, anyway? One, that I can think of and she graduated.

I think, if leaping out of the lane was a true advantage, everyone would do it.

[Dino]

It may not get called but it sure would be a lot easier for them to see it.

[Sam]

Next they'll start chalking the outside of the pitchers' hips.....no towels in the uniform outside the chalked lines, especially if the towel is never actually used by the the pitcher to wipe her hands.....

[MTR]

How many pitchers, out of the hundreds that we watch, ever leap out of the lane, anyway? One, that I can think of and she graduated.

I think, if leaping out of the lane was a true advantage, everyone would do it.

More do it than you think, you just don't see them.

This is a nice try by the NCAA, but I believe it is more of a "threatening" guide to the pitchers than it will be an aid to the umpire.

The lines will be obliterated before you finish the top of the 1st. The base umpires are not going to have any better a view than the PU and the PU's responsibilities place a very limited ability to make such a call.

The coaches' arguments will go anywhere from "but she released the ball prior to leaving the lane" to "but she was just positioning herself in a defensive position to field a batted ball."

Like I said, a nice try and very commendable on behalf of the NCAA, but definitely not thought all the way through prior to passing such a rule.