In softball, the term "crow hopping" often comes with a negative connotation, indicating an illegal movement a pitcher makes with her feet while delivering the ball to home plate. However, crow hopping doesn't have to be a bad thing. When performed by a fielder, crow hopping can help generate more throwing power when attempting to throw out baserunners.
Pitching
A softball pitcher must push off the pitching plate with his pivot foot and then drag the pivot foot along the ground as he finishes his delivery. Crow hopping occurs when the pitcher lifts his pivot foot off the ground, replants the pivot foot and then pushes off again. The motion creates a small hop in the delivery, inspiring the crow hopping name.
Warnings
Softball rules prohibit crow hopping because it reduces the distance between the pitcher and hitter, providing the pitcher with an unfair advantage. Crow hopping will result in the umpire calling an illegal pitch. The umpire will then award the batter an automatic ball and allow all baserunners to advance one base, according to official NCAA softball rules.
Misconceptions
Spectators often confuse crow hopping with leaping, which is another illegal form of softball pitching. When leaping, the pitcher removes her pivot foot from the ground so both her feet are in the air at the same time. However, unlike crow hopping, the leaping pitcher merely replants her pivot foot without pushing off a second time. Leaping also results in an automatic ball for the hitter and one base for all runners.
Controversy
Softball coaches, players and fans dispute the severity of crow hopping, with many believing the penalty doesn't fit the crime. Most complaints center around an umpire's ability to call crow hopping on a consistent basis. Umpires having different crow hopping interpretations and tolerances. Critics argue that awarding a base to all runners for something so subjective can have too great an effect on a game's outcome.
Fielding
Players legally use crow hopping to their advantage when fielding. Once a fielder gloves the ball, he'll take a small hop, or crow hop, to generate forward momentum and get his body behind the throw. Crow hopping can help the fielder utilize his hip and chest muscles along with his arm, resulting in longer, more accurate throws.
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