Crow Hop
A crow hop is an illegal pitching motion in which the pitcher replants the pivot foot after the initial push-off, effectively relaunching and gaining an unfair advantage in distance or momentum.
Legal fast-pitch requires the pivot foot to maintain contact with or drag along the ground; a crow hop lifts and replants the foot, creating an extra launch point closer to the plate. It is frequently called when pitchers try to generate additional velocity and is penalized as an illegal pitch. Understanding it matters for pitchers learning proper drag mechanics — the legal equivalent of generating drive while keeping the foot in contact.
Example
The pitcher lifts and replants her pivot foot before release; the umpire calls an illegal pitch and the runner advances.
Related terms
- Push-Off – PitchingThe push-off is the initial drive of the pivot foot against the pitching rubber, converting leg power into forward body momentum at the start of the windmill delivery.
- WindmillThe windmill is the underhand fast-pitch delivery in which the arm makes a full circle before release, generating the velocity that defines the game.
- Arm CircleThe arm circle is the full 360° rotation of the pitching arm around the shoulder joint that defines the fast-pitch windmill delivery and stores elastic energy for release.
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