Pitching Circle - A Mind Game?

Some people would say pitchers need a circle around the mound so they can keep track of where they need to be at all times. The circle comes into play when there are runners on base. When the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the runner can't really go anywhere. If they do they have to make a decision and stick with that decision. If they change the direction of their desired path they will be called out. When the pitcher has the ball and her arm cocked as if she is going to make an attempt to "get" the runner then the runner has free reign. But if she is covering the ball with her glove the runner has to stay there because the ball is in the circle. Also when there is a runner on base if the pitcher for any reason walks out of the circle when she has the ball then the runner also has free reign. The pitcher needs to remain in the circle to keep the runner where they are supposed to be.

The runner has to stay

The runner has free reign

Pitching Rules

What are all these lines for?


When one sees a softball pitching mound at the beginning of a game one will notice two white lines on either side of the mound.




Photo by POLINA YAMSHCHIKOV, ColumbiaMissourian.com


These lines represent where a pitcher can step when she is in her pitching motion. If a pitcher steps outside of these lines an umpire will call an illegal pitch. The consequence of getting an illegal pitch called on you is a ball on the batter and if there is a runner on they get to move to the next base. This rule has become quite controversial recently because they have been strictly enforcing it. There have been many instances where it has been a tied game and the winning run will be standing on third base. At this point if an illegal pitch is thrown the runner on third gets granted home and if that team is the home team the game can be over and they can win the game simply because the pitcher from the opposing team threw an illegal pitch.