The National Federation of High Schools has a number of rules pertaining to the softball position of pitcher. The majority of them have been around for many years, but some of them have been slightly altered in recent years. A committee meets every year to discuss rule changes and publish rule interpretations.
Pitching Circle
Softball pitchers must pitch from a plate that is 43 feet away from home plate, centered within a circle with a 16-foot radius. The pitching distance had been 40 feet for many years, but was moved backward starting in the 2010-11 school year. The change was made so that more batted balls would be put into play. The change did not happen in one meeting, but rather took 10 years of debate.
Pitching Stance
Softball pitchers must begin their pitch by standing with one or two feet making contact with the plate. If only one foot is touching the plate, the other must be within two feet of the plate. The pitcher's shoulders must be square, in line with first and third bases.
Delivery
The pitch begins with a step backward, at which point the pitcher may bring her hands together. Once the pitcher brings her hands together, the ball must be held with both hands for at least one second but no more than 10 seconds. While the hands are together, the pitcher may step off the mound to reset, but once the hands are separated, the pitch must be delivered. The pitch must be delivered underhand, as opposed to the overhand throw of baseball pitchers.
Illegal Actions
A number of actions can result in the umpire calling an illegal pitch. First off, if the pitch is not underhand, the umpire will call an illegal pitch. Another illegal pitch is if the pitcher brings her hands together during the delivery after separating them. Pitchers are also not allowed a crow hop, which is a replanting of the pivot foot, during the delivery. At the time the ball is released, at least one foot must be in contact with the ground. If a pitch is completed with an illegal action, the umpire awards the batter an additional ball the the offensive team does not choose the result of the pitch.
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