When the ball was in motion, that meant it was traveling in a downward direction. Originally, the ball had to be "pitched" underhand, much like horseshoes. The phrase is derived from the Knickerbocker Rules. If pitchers could show emotion, the game would stop completely whenever one was removed from the scene. By limiting what pitchers can do with their arms, the game creates more opportunities for base hits and extra innings.įinally, the rule prohibiting pitchers from showing emotion is part of an overall strategy to keep the game moving. For example, a pitcher who throws a lot of fastballs would be at a disadvantage if she were to start throwing her curveballs around instead.
Other reasons why pitchers cannot show emotion include preventing them from using certain pitches or strategies that might confuse their opponents.
Thus, the rule that forbids pitchers from showing emotion during games helps ensure quality defense behind the pitcher's run-down pitch. A batter needs only one good swing at a pitched ball to ruin its movement entirely. Pitchers should never be able to show any emotion on the mound because it affects their ability to make consistent throwing motions. In fact, every rule in baseball/softball is there for a reason. This is called "pitching across the plate" and it's illegal for the pitcher to do anything else when throwing the ball. Is a softball pitcher only allowed to pitch the ball underhand?Įvery other player on the softball field can throw the ball overhand if they like, but the pitcher must always toss the ball underhand when pitching to a batter. It's even said to have been employed by Benjamin Franklin himself back in 1751! Others say that underhanded pitching is just as effective if not more so because it confuses bats and can cause them to swing at balls that would normally be ignored.Įither way, it's legal in baseball and is used by almost every major league pitcher. However, some hitters believe that pitchers should go overhand because it makes it harder to hit the ball with accuracy. This tactic is particularly important for starting pitchers who cannot afford to waste any time between batters getting out of their way and the batter coming up next. Pitching coaches claim that overhand throws stress the shoulder while trying to beat the clock-that-never-stops-ticking by throwing as many pitches as possible within a limited time frame. Underhand pitching was once considered unsportsmanlike but has become common practice in baseball.
In fact, he told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, "I don't know why anyone would ever try to throw overhand." Is it illegal to pitch underhand in baseball?
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