Carter Capps delivery ruled illegal (I told you so)

Sorry boys, we ruled on this last July over here at The Slav's Baseball Blog. 


http://slavieboy.blogspot.com/2015/07/extra-baggs-questionable-delivery-etc.html

Not sure why it's taking all the big-wigs so long. MLB is really falling into a situation where they continue to try to implement so-called "new" rules when the solution is for the umpire to either grow a sack and enforce existing rules or exercise some common sense. Whether it's Matt Holliday's slide into Scutaro, Utley's slide into Tejeda, the Cousins missile launch into Posey, batter taking too much time, pitchers taking too much time, pace of game, bean balls, whatever. 

These want to be nice guys in a job which by its very nature does not lend itself to winning popularity contests or congeniality awards. Make the calls, enforce the rules, pick up pay check, line up for spread. It's not too hard. 

This would be an illegal pitch in girls high school softball and below. They let Jenny Finch get about this far off the slab in college softball, but they were trying to promote the sport and Jenny Finch was eminently promotable, if you know what I mean ;) ;) 

This is almost a hop, skip and a jump for cryin' out loud. 

This was sent to me by an Illinois umpires association assignor just last week.

Lastly, there is a rule interpretation on an illegal pitch by MLB pitcher Carter Capps who had a leap step where his pivot foot leaped forward, he regained ground and pushed off for his delivery 12 inches in front of the rubber.  MLB and the NCAA both made an official ruling this off-season calling that an illegal pitch.  The National Federation had not yet ruled on the move, however, the IHSA Rule Interpreters have.  This is now an illegal pitch in high school baseball in Illinois.  

See a clip of the move: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LycHv4CRHWY.  Make sure you watch the video to its conclusion.