The screen must be placed 4 ft in front of the pitching 'rubber' or pitching 'plate' as it's called in ISA rules. Note that there is no requirement for the pitcher to be in contact with the pitching plate when delivering a pitch. The pitcher's 'box' is 6 feet by 2 feet and extends from the front edge of the pitcher's plate toward second base. The pitcher can release the ball from anywhere provided he has his pivot foot in the pitcher's box.
The other change has to do with the pitcher not stepping behind the screen after he releases the pitch. Any umpire can now make such calls not just the home plate umpire. This year we will be instructing umpires to watch for screen violations and to call it when it happens. Pitchers, you've been warned.
From the WHSS Rules
5 Pitching Screen: The
pitching screen is provided for safety purposes only and is not
intended to be used as a defensive aid. One (1) leg of the pitching
screen shall be within the parameter of the pitching rubber at all
times.
For right-handed pitchers, the screen must be positioned to their left.
For left-handed pitchers, the screen must be positioned to their right.
The screen must be placed 4 feet in front of the pitching rubber to allow the pitcher to step behind the screen without taking a step back.
A batter will be declared safe if a pitcher fields a ball without first stepping behind the screen.
An umpire call a pitch “illegal” if the pitcher does not step behind the screen after delivery.
Batted
balls hitting the pitching screen are considered dead balls and no
penalties are to be incurred except that the first ball striking the
screen will count as a foul ball and therefore a strike. A player
cannot strike out by batting a ball into the screen.
Any thrown ball that is in live play and hits the screen is considered a live ball and runners may advance at their own risk.
From the ISA Rules
2.3 EQUIPMENT AND MARKINGS
A. The Pitcher’s Box consisting of
the area from the front of the
pitcher’s plate , 50 feet (15.24 m)
from Home Plate, and extending
back six feet perpendicular to the pitcher’s
plate shall be used. The
Pitcher’s plate shall be of rubber
or wood, 24 inches (60.96cm) long
and six inches (15.24cm) wide. The
top of the pitching rubber shall
be level with the ground. The front
of the pitching rubber shall be
the prescribed pitching distance
from the back point of home plate
(50 feet; 15.24 m). The Pitcher’s
Box will be marked with chalk
or field paint.
.
6.6 LEGAL DELIVERY
A. The
pitcher must not make any motion to
pitch without imme-
diately delivering the ball to the
batter.
B. The delivery is a continuous
motion.
C. The pitcher must not use a
delivery in which there is a stop or
reversal of the pitching motion.
D. The pitcher must deliver the ball
toward home plate on the first
forward swing of the pitching arm
past the hip with an underhanded
motion.
E. The pivot foot must remain in
contact with the pitcher’s box until
the pitched ball leaves the hand. If
a step is taken, it can be forward,
backward, or to the side, provided
the pivot foot is in contact with
the pitcher’s box and the step is
simultaneous with the release of
the ball.
F. The pitcher must not pitch the
ball behind his back or through
his legs.
G. The pitch shall be released at a
moderate speed. The speed is left
entirely up to the judgment of the
umpire. The umpire shall warn
the pitcher who delivers a pitch
with excessive speed. If the pitcher
repeats such an act after being
warned, he shall be removed from
the pitcher’s position for the
remainder of the game.
H. The pitching motion does not
continue after release of the ball.
I. The pitcher has 10 seconds to
release the next pitch after receiving
the ball, or after the umpire indicates “play
ball.”
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