MLSA Pitching Manual

asa_10_man_modified_softball_pitching_rules_(1).pdf

This pitching manual does not change the current MLSA House Rules on Pitching. This manual
provides clarity on our pitching style using resources from USA/ ASA as well as information
from the Salvatore Guerriero ASA 10 man Pitching manual.

1. The MLSA is a modified pitching league which has specific rules for pitching
2. When delivering the ball the ball or wrist may never face outward or upward.
a. The ball and wrist may be permitted to face downward or inward
3. The restriction for the top of the backswing is 9 o’clock
a. If a pitcher crutches down and remains a 90 degree angle with the hip and arm
this is still a legal delivery of 9 o’clock
i. Due to the pitchers crouched position the arm may appear to be higher as
long as the ball remind inward, the body maintains 90 degrees then this is
a legal delivery
4. There is no breaking of the wrist
a. The wrist may not be in a flicking motion
b. There must be a complete and full followthrough
c. Absolutely no flicking of wrist where the motion stops at the hip is allowed
5. The wrist may only turn up or towards third on the backswing
a. In order to throw variations of pitches the pitcher is permitted to turn the wrist
inward toward their own body
b. The pitcher may also turn the ball and wrist down
6. The pitcher’s hips must remain square with the plate upon the release
a. Pitcher is permitted to twist torso as long as when delivered body is square with
the plate
7. In summary pitchers must not break 9 o’clock, pitchers must not flick wrist, must not turn
hips toward third base, must not turn the ball up or towards third on the backswing
8. Pitchers may turn their wrist toward their body, may have the ball facing downward, may
twist the torso only if the body is square upon delivery.
9. The following photos and descriptions will assist in further clarity
10. Anything not addressed in this guide has been addressed with clarit in the 2022 house
rules
Legal Delivery:
The ball can NEVER be outside of the wrist at any point in the delivery. The wrist can NEVER
be cocked laterally resulting in the palm facing third. The humerus is NEVER rotated clockwise.
Start of the Backswing
Top of the Backswing:
At the top of the backswing the arm should not be rotated clockwise nor should the wrist be
cocked. The arm may appear to be higher if and only if the body maintains a 90 degree angle.
This is due to the crouched/ bent position that maintains 9’ o'clock but may appear higher due to
the crouched positions. 12 O’CLOCK IS NOT ALLOWED. This is to clarify you can maintain
9 oclock with your arm high if your body is bent and maintaining 90 degrees see photo #2
for demonstration
Release
On the release of the ball there must be a FULL FOLLOW THROUGH. There will be no
stopping and breaking the wrist near the hip. The arm must extend forward for a full
followthrough. The ball may also not be turned facing outward or upward. The wrist may only
turn with the ball and wrist facing inward as shown in image, or with the ball facing down as
shown in image 3.
Image 3
Elbow:
The elbow must remain locked at all times as shown below
Hips:
Upon the release the hips should remain square with the plate
Twisting of the Body