presenting the ball
Question
Hi I was recently at a softball game where the pitcher was keeping the ball in the glove the entire time she was preparing to pitch. I had been told before that a pitcher must present the ball.Was her pitching illegal as far as asa rules go? Thanks for your help
Answer
No illegal pitch here. The word "presenting" was removed from the rulebook a long time ago. The pitcher must take her place on the pitching plate with her hands separated. It does not matter which hand the ball is in. The ball does not need to be visible to the batter at this point. She must then either take the sign from the catcher or simulate taking a sign. In other words once the pitcher takes her place on the pitching plate, she must pause before starting her pitch. After all of this she can start her pitch.
Tom
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