1 The pitcher is in the pitching position when she has her hands apart, her pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate, both feet on the ground partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate or its backward extension, the hips in line with first and third bases, and the catcher in position to receive the pitch.
The pitcher shall not position herself on the pitcher's plate without the ball.
Identifying the pitcher's feet:
- The pivot foot. The pivot foot is the one that maintains contact with the pitcher's plate, absorbs the body's weight, pushes off against the plate during the initial step phase of the pitch, and drags along the ground during the final phase of the pitch.
- The stride foot.The stride foot is the one that starts on or behind the pitcher's plate and extends forward toward home plate as the pitcher steps to deliver the pitch to the batter. The stride foot must land on or within the lines of the pitcher's lane.
Prior to starting the pitch when the pitcher comes onto the pitcher's plate her hands must be separated.
Upon coming on to the pitcher's plate the pitcher must hold the ball in one hand, either gloved hand or bare hand, at the side, behind, or in front of her body. Her hands must be separated.
Upon coming onto the pitcher's plate the pitcher shall pause to take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher.
EFFECT (1-6): A delayed dead ball is declared and an illegal pitch is enforced.
In an effort to further align with NCAA regulations to prepare student athletes for collegiate recruiting events with Perfect Game and collegiate play Gold Division games will play under the collegiate pitching rules as follows:
A portion of the stride foot must remain in contact with the ground at all times prior to beginning her forward step. The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not step back any farther to increase the distance behind the pitcher's plate. The “Start Back” pitching method is LEGAL ; The “Step Back” pitching method is ILLEGAL.
NOTE: Once the pitcher has established her stride foot, simply dropping or rocking onto her heel is not a violation.
The pitcher may only look at the armband to receive information while she is on the pitcher's plate in the pitching position.
EFFECT: If the pitcher goes to the arm band for information while off the pitcher's plate an illegal pitch shall be declared and a delayed dead-ball signaled.
If the pitcher takes signals from the dugout while off the pitcher's plate, she subsequently must simulate taking a signal once on the pitcher's plate prior to delivering a pitch.
EFFECT: If the pitcher fails to simulate taking a signal on the pitcher's plate after receiving signals from the dugout an illegal pitch shall be declared and a delayed dead-ball signaled.
Non- Gold divisions will allow for the “Start-Back” and “Step-Back” pitching methods.
- A portion of the pivot foot must remain in contact with the ground at all times prior to beginning her forward step.
- Any step back with the non-pivot foot shall begin prior to the start of the pitch. The stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired.
The pitch officially begins and cannot be discontinued once the hands have separated after coming together. The pitching motion consists of the start of the pitch, windup, step/stride, and delivery.
After receiving the signal, the pitcher's hands must come together in view of the plate official for not more than five seconds.
The pitcher may use any windup she chooses provided she does not:
- Stop her windup and change direction more than two times.
- Make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the pitch to the batter.
- Separate her hands and then bring the ball back to both hands.
The pitcher may take only one step/stride forward toward home plate in her delivery of the pitch.
It is legal to slide the pivot foot forward or across the pitcher's plate provided contact with the pitcher's plate is maintained.
EXCEPTION: Physical contact with the pitcher's plate may be lost if all of the following occur:1) If the pivot foot has not reduced the distance to home plate; and the pivot foot must remain in contact with the ground; however, rocking onto either the toe or heel is allowed.2) The pivot foot is in contact with the pitcher's plate when the pitcher turns, twists or bends her pivot foot.
Leaping is not allowed. The pitcher may not become airborne on the initial drive from the pitcher's plate. The pivot foot must slide/drag on the ground.
The pitcher is not allowed to hop or drag to a replant (crow hop), gain a second starting point and push off her pivot foot. Once having lost contact with the pitcher's plate, the pivot foot may trail on the ground but may not bear weight again until the pitch is released.
Once the hands have separated and the pitching arm begins the clockwise motion that will result in the release of the pitch, not more than 1½ revolutions of the pitching arm may take place.
The pitcher's step/stride to the batter must be continuous.
The pitch shall be released underhand and the hand shall travel below the hip.
The release of the pitch and follow-through of the hand and wrist must be forward.
The pitcher may not make another arm revolution after releasing the ball
During delivery the pitcher's wrist may not extend past the frame of her elbow
EFFECT (1-13): A delayed dead ball is declared and an illegal pitch is enforced.
The effect for dropping the ball during delivery of the pitch is dependent on when it occurs.
- If the ball is dropped prior to her hands coming together and then separating.
- When the ball is dropped due to accidentally slipping from the pitcher's hands during the action of delivering a pitch.
- The pitcher shall not purposefully bounce, roll, or drop the ball in an effort to prevent the batter from hitting the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is live. There is no penalty. The base runner(s) may advance with liability to be put out.
EFFECT: If the batter does not have a reasonable opportunity to hit the pitch, a defensive player may retrieve it, the ball is live, a ball is awarded to the batter, and the base runner(s) may advance with liability to be put out. If the batter would have had a reasonable opportunity to hit the pitch but the defensive player retrieves it, obstruction is ruled, the ball is dead and the batter and all other base runners are awarded one base (whether forced or not).
EFFECT: A delayed dead ball is declared and an illegal pitch is enforced.
An illegal pitch is a pitch that violates the pitching rules or is an effect for a rule violation. When an illegal pitch occurs, it shall be called immediately by the game officials.
EFFECT: If the pitch is released, the official calls “Illegal” loud enough for nearby players to hear. If an illegal pitch occurs but the pitch is not released, it is a dead ball. Failure of players to hear the call shall not void the call. Simultaneously, the official gives the delayed dead-ball signal and waits to suspend play until the non-contacted pitch has reached the plate, or the play has been completed. Assuming no other violation has occurred (for example, leaving early): (1) If the batter does not reach first base safely or if any runner fails to advance at least one base, the coach of the offensive team may choose the result of the play or the standard effect for an illegal pitch, which is that a ball is awarded to the batter. (2) If the batter reaches first base safely and each other base runner advances at least one base, the play stands, and the illegal pitch is canceled. Once a runner has passed a base, she is considered to have reached the base, even if she missed it. (3) If the batter is hit by an illegal pitch not swung at, the batter is awarded first base, and other base runners advance one base, only if forced. (4) If ball four is an illegal pitch, the batter is awarded first base, and other base runners advance one base, only if forced.
“No Pitch” shall be declared when:
- While play is suspended the pitcher delivers a pitch.
- A base runner is off base for a legitimate reason (EX: has not returned to touch after a foul ball) and the pitcher delivers a pitch failing to allow time for the base runner to return to their occupied base.
- The pitcher delivers a quick pitch. A Quick pitch is a method intended to catch the batter off guard or unprepared to bat.
- If a player violates the time-between-pitch rule and that causes her opponent to also violate the rule.
- A base runner is called out for leaving her base prior to the release of the pitch.
- The pitcher stops or hesitates in her delivery as a result of the batter stepping out of the box, holding up her hand or using any other action as if requesting time.
- A player or coach commits any act (calls “Time” or employs any similar word or phrase) while the ball is live and in play for the clear purpose of attempting to make the pitcher deliver an illegal pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is declared dead and all action on that pitch is canceled.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled. At the conclusion of the play, if the defensive head coach does not select the result of the play, “No Pitch” is declared, the offending base runner is out, the batter is returned to the batter's box and other base runners returned to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: “No Pitch” is declared.
EFFECT: “No pitch” is declared and a warning is given to the offending team. Repeat of any act by any member of the team that has been warned shall result in the violator(s) being ejected from the game.
The pitcher may not remove herself from the pitching position by stepping forward or sideways off the pitcher's plate before the start of the pitch. She must step backward.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled and illegal pitch is enforced.
1 Under the supervision and within view of the game official, a resin (a drying agent) may be used on the pitcher's hand/fingers. Any substance (including resin, dirt or saliva) applied to the pitcher's hands and fingers must be wiped off if it would transfer to the ball.
Substances such as Gorilla Gold and other tacky gripping agents will be permissible on a towel in the pitcher's back pocket. If used the agent may only be applied to the hand and must be wiped off prior to contacting the ball.
No other team personnel may apply moisture or any substance/agent to the ball or into a glove that will then contact the ball or do anything else to deface the ball.
Rock Rosin is not permissible for use.
EFFECT: The ball is a delayed dead ball. For the first offense, a ball shall be awarded to the batter and a warning shall be issued to the pitcher when the substance comes in contact with the ball. For the second offense, the pitcher shall be ejected.
All game balls must bear the “PG Perfect Game” certification stamp.
EFFECT: 1st offense the Head Coach of the team in violation shall be warned and the illegal ball removed from play. Any subsequent violation shall result in the Head Coach being ejected.
The pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching fingers, hand, wrist, forearm or thighs that an official considers distracting. This includes a batting glove, sweatband and loose lacing on a glove, or ball-colored logos. NOTE: The pitcher's fingers, hand, wrist, forearm or elbow may be taped for injury, providing such tape is a neutral color. Pitchers may wear braces, casts, elbow guards, prostheses or splints on their pitching arms.
EFFECT: The pitcher shall remove the item upon request of game officials or be ejected from the game.
The pitcher shall not intentionally attempt to strike a game official with a pitch.
EFFECT: If, in the official's judgment, such a violation has occurred, the official shall eject the pitcher, catcher and the head coach. In addition, the head coach shall be suspended from all Perfect Game events for the calendar year.
The pitcher shall not intentionally attempt to strike the batter with a pitch.
EFFECT: If, in the official's judgment, such a violation has occurred, the official shall warn the pitcher, catcher and the head coach that future violations by any pitcher from his/her team will be cause for immediate ejection of the pitcher, catcher and the head coach. If, in the official's judgment, the situation warrants drastic action to diffuse a potentially volatile situation, the official may eject the pitcher and catcher without warning. The head coach of the offending team also may be ejected at this time if the official believes it is appropriate. A warning may be issued to one or both teams before the start of the game or at any time during a game if the official believes it to be appropriate.
After each pitch not contacted and foul tip the catcher shall return the ball directly to the pitcher. Exceptions:
- An errant throw intended for the pitcher
- When a batter is not entitled to first base runs anyway.
- After an attempted putout or putout by the catcher
- When “no swing” is judged and help is requested on a checked swing which could be strike three.
- To make a play on a base runner.
- When the batter becomes a base runner.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, and base runners may not advance. A ball shall be awarded to the batter. In addition, on the first offense, the offending player shall be warned. On subsequent offenses, the offender shall be ejected from the game. : Intentionally violating the rule in order to walk the batter without pitching shall not result in a ball being awarded to the batter
The pitcher shall not throw to a base during a live ball while her foot is in contact with the pitcher's plate after she has taken the pitching position. If the throw from the pitcher's plate occurs during a live-ball appeal play, the appeal is canceled.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled and illegal pitch is enforced.
The pitcher must be on the pitcher's plate, the catcher in the catcher's box and the batter in the batter's box within 10 seconds after the pitcher receives the ball in preparation to pitch or after the game official signals, “Play ball.” After the pitcher, catcher, and batter are in position, the pitcher has 10 seconds to bring her hands together. The pitcher then has not more than five seconds to deliver the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. If the batter is in violation of the timing, a strike is assessed. If the pitcher or catcher is in violation of any part of the timing sequence, a ball shall be awarded to the batter. Intentionally violating the rule in order to walk the batter without pitching shall not result in a ball being awarded to the batter, but each base runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out. In addition, on the first offense, the official shall issue a warning to the offending player. On the second offense, the offending player shall be ejected from the game
A warm up pitch is any pitch delivered to home plate during suspension of play.
At the start of the game and beginning of each half-inning, the pitcher of record may throw not more than five pitches or four pitches and one throw to first base or any combination that is limited to five throws from the pitcher. Play shall be suspended during this time.
After a pitching change, a relief pitcher may throw not more than five pitches or four pitches and one throw to first base or any combination that is limited to five throws from the pitcher. Play shall be suspended during this time. A pitcher shall not be allowed warmup pitches if returning to pitch in the same half inning.
EFFECT: For each excessive warm up pitch or throw a ball shall be awarded to the next batter.
A player other than the pitcher of record throws a warm up pitch
EFFECT: For the 1st violation, the official shall issue a warning to the offending coach. Any subsequent violation by the same team shall result in ejection of the head coach..
The pitcher shall be given ample time to warm up after any substantial delay caused by inclement weather, injury or delayed play by the game officials.
After injury to a pitcher, the relief pitcher must be allowed ample time to warm up. Play shall be suspended during this time