Pitching Rules - feet position ?stepping

Question
In High School-NSA-ASA and Pony is the pitcher allowed to take a step back before her pitch if one foot remains on the rubber? If so where can I find this rule stating it is allowed. Some call it illegal and some do not.

Answer
Hello Rich

It depends on which association you are playing under. I provided links to the associations in question. Most have copies of their rules online however ASA Rule Books are only distributed at the local level by the ASA Commissioner or their staff.

Although the majority of the playing rules for softball are adopted from ASA playing rules some of the rules are different. I always instructed my pitchers using the ASA pitching rules because it抯 legal for all associations.

ASA (http://www.softball.org)
The pitcher shall take a position with both feet on the ground and in contact with the pitching plate. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter, and simultaneous with the delivery of the ball to the batter.

PONY (http://www.pony.org)
The pitcher shall take a position with one or both feet in contact with the pitching plate. If only one foot is in contact it must be the pivot foot. Once the hands are brought together, the pitcher shall not take more than one step, which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery of the ball to the batter.

NSA (http://www.playnsa.com)
The pitcher shall take a position with both feet on the ground and in contact with the pitching plate. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter, and simultaneous with the delivery of the ball to the batter.

Most high schools follow guidelines set by a state association and many state associations use the rules set by the National Federation of State High School Associations

High School (http://www.nfhs.org)
The pitcher shall take a position with one or both feet in contact with the pitching plate. If only one foot is in contact it must be the pivot foot. If the pitcher steps back the pitcher must START step back BEFORE hands come together.  Step MAY end BEFORE or AFTER hands come together