I’m all for the pitchers learning to pitch correctly and the umpires calling all illegal pitches but I think having the baserunners advance on an IP does not make sense.
It’s my understanding this rule came out of the baseball “balk” rule. In baseball the baserunners take a lead before the pitch is thrown. A balk gives the pitcher an unfair advantage over the baserunner so it makes sense to award a base.
In softball the baserunner can’t leave the base until the pitch is thrown so an IP does not put the baserunner to any disadvantage.
As others have said I think this rule change will result in MORE illegal pitches being called which will help the pitchers learn to pitch in accordance with the rules.
It’s my understanding this rule came out of the baseball “balk” rule. In baseball the baserunners take a lead before the pitch is thrown. A balk gives the pitcher an unfair advantage over the baserunner so it makes sense to award a base.
In softball the baserunner can’t leave the base until the pitch is thrown so an IP does not put the baserunner to any disadvantage.
As others have said I think this rule change will result in MORE illegal pitches being called which will help the pitchers learn to pitch in accordance with the rules.