pitching (ball passing the hip)

Question

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Followup To

Question -
In fastpitch softball, how many times can the ball pass the hip in the forward motion?  I have heard only twice but see many passing the hip three times.

Answer -
Hello Karla

The key word is FORWARD motion. For example if the pitcher starts the pitch by dropping her arm down, swings back and the ball go's behind the hip, then forward that is (first time), then windmills around then go's past the hip again (second time) before releasing the ball that's only twice and is legal.



Is three times illegal?


Answer
[FOLLOW-UP ANSWER] Hello Karla

It抯 not a specified rule that it is illegal to past the hip forward three times. But the pitcher would break other rules if they did. For example the pitcher is allowed to drop the arm and ball down behind the hip as part of her starting motion and then windmill forward around then release the ball.

The pitcher is not allowed to drop the arm down then rock the arm forward then back before going forward again for the windmill. The rule states basically once the underarm motion starts forward it can抰 reverse. Also the pitcher is not allowed the windmill around again once the ball is released. In both these cases it would be an illegal pitch.