Understanding ASA Pitching Rules for 10U Softball: Legal Motion & Common Variations

Question
We faced a pitcher who after taking position on the pitching plate, swung her arms back twice before starting her windmill.   So her arm crossed her hip 5 times.   She did two different variations..

1)  stepped on the plate, set with hands together for +1 second, swing arms back, swung arms forward (tapped hand & glove), swung arms back, swung pitching arm into windmill, deliver

2).  Stepped on to the plate, stood with arms to side, swung arms back, swung arms forward (tapped in front less than 1 second), swung arms back, swung pitching arm into windmill, deliver.

Are either of these legal pitches?

Answer
Hi Jamie,

It's always difficult just from a description so let's talk about some aspects of a legal pitch first,

both feet on the plate
take (or appear to take) the signal with hands seperate
the pitcher must then bring hands together for 1-10 secs

the pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball after the hands have been together

the pitcher may drop their arm to the side and back before beginning the windmill motion,

after seperating their hands, the pitcher cannot make a pitching motion which returns the ball to both hands, etc.....

So both 1 and 2 based on your descriptions appear to be illegal pitches

mark