Pitching Rules & Regulations:

The following points are the basics regarding the new (2022) pitching rules and regulations for all divisions. These points come directly from Jamie Woodend (of the UIC) and can also be found in the video linked here: Pitching Rules. 

PRE-PITCH:

Pitchers in all categories (age and gender) may start with one foot on the pitching plate.

Signs must be taken (or appear to be taken) with at least one foot on the pitching plate and all players in position in fair territory (with exception of the catcher).

The ball may be either in the pitcher's hand or glove while signs are taken.

The pitcher may start the pitch with both feet on the pitching plate, or one foot behind the plate (no maximum distance).

After taking the signs with the hands separated or appearing to take the sign, the pitcher may step back further and draw the hands together simultaneously to begin the pause. 

PAUSE:

With the pivot foot in contact with the pitching plate, the pitcher is required to pause between 2 to 5 seconds with the hands together before the pitch.

The body must be fully stopped, but slight hand movements in the glove to adjust the grip are permissible during the pause. 

A pitcher cannot step backward after the pause.

While the pitcher may lean backward as part of their delivery motion, all motion with the feet after the pause must be moving forward. 

DELIVERY: 

The pivot foot must be fully on top of the plate to start the delivery.

The pitcher may shift (slide or twist) the foot across the plate during the delivery but must maintain contact with the plate.

It is not considered breaking contact if the twist of the foot during the delivery causes the heel to slide off the front of the plate, as long as the front of the foot is not so far ahead of the plate to cause the heel to break contact if it were pointed perpendicular to the pitching plate. 

Both feet must start within the width of the 24 inch pitching plate.

After pushing or leaping from the pitcher's plate, the non-pivot foot must land within the chute. 

One foot, or a portion of the foot, within or touching the boundary of the 24 inch chute is considered within the 24 inch chute. 

Pitchers of all categories (age and gender) may now leap in the air, land, and then release the ball during the delivery of the pitch provided they do not establish a second "push-point", an action also known as a "crow-hop". 

Umpires are directed to observe and ensure that the pitcher's hands are separated and the arm rotation started prior to the pitcher re-establishing contact with the ground. 

Once started, the arm rotation must be smooth and continuous.