QuestionHello Scott, appreciate your time. My daughter plays in a private Christian school league containing players between 3rd and 6th grade (hence a 'no windmill' modification). The league is essentially governed by CIF. My daughter's league modification, that would pertain to my question about pitching would be; 'no windmill pitching'. I have two questions; is CIF governed by the NFHS softball rulebook? The only reference of governing rules on my daughter's League modifications sheet is "the following are modifications to CIF rules". If NFHS rulebook does apply, my next question is pertaining to RULE 6-2c. Would a pitcher be allowed to swing her arm back - forward, then back and forward again, at which point she then releases the ball? Basically, she is using a two 'pendulum motion' and then releasing the ball on the 2nd time forward past the hips. My interpretation is that this violates Rule 6-2c which states; the pitcher does not use a windup in which there is a stop or reversal of the forward motion. I am hoping that I have provided enough information for you to assist me to determine if this appears to be an illegal windup. What draws me to believe this does violate Rule 6-2c is that if this does not violate Rule 6-2c, then what would prevent a pitcher from a three, four, or five pendulum swing? Seems to be the reason why Rule 6-2c was added; otherwise pitchers could deceive batters easily with back and forth motion, and use a different number pendulum each pitch. Just in case NFHS rulebook does not apply, please note I have seen this same pitching rule verbiage in all the softball rulebooks I have seen.
Appreciate your time and perspective. Thanks
-Joe
AnswerHi Joe,
Thank you for your question, especially for all the time and effort you put into it.
Let me answer your questions in the same order you asked them:
1) Q: "is CIF governed by the NFHS softball rulebook?"
A: CIF high school softball teams use the NFHS softball rules book. Over the phone, Brian Seymour at CIF in Sacramento verified that fact for me.
California Interscholastic Federation
4658 Duckhorn Drive - Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 239-4477 Fax: (916) 239-4478
[email protected]
2) Q: "Would a pitcher be allowed to swing her arm back - forward, then back and forward again, at which point she then releases the ball?"
A: No. As you know and already mentioned, the rule in question is 6-1-4-c. Let's take another look at it in full: "The pitcher may use any windup desired provided: the pitcher does not use a windup in which there is a stop or reversal of the forward motion."
Your question was an easy one to answer once we established that your daughter's softball league has adopted the NFHS rules book. By the way, the adoption of those rules is the league's choice. Your daughter's school athletics aren't governed by CIF.
It doesn't really matter which sort of pitch your daughter's league requires from their pitchers, or which label they attach to that pitch, since under NFHS pitching rule 6-1-4-c, no windup is exempt from the stop or reversal of the forward motion. "Modified, no windmill" pitches aren't exempt from the stop or reversal of the forward motion. Such a motion is a delayed dead ball illegal pitch.
It's a logical, common sense rule, isn't it? You're right, what a nightmare it would be for the batter if the pitcher was allowed to pendulum their pitching arm over and over again, and finally release the pitch at the forward motion of their choosing!
Scott Kelly
