IP in TB

Rocketech1 said:

I agree with you, I was being sarcastic. Some here think illegal pitching is not wide spread, not a problem, and totally easy to fix. The state of the game says otherwise.

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Missed the sarcasm font

I hope [MENTION=10413]riseball[/MENTION] is right. It would be a big first step if they at least acknowledged that it needs addressing.

riseball said:

Was in a large showcase last weekend and was shocked when told at each plate meeting that the first IP would get a warning and then it would be called. Asked an umpire about it and was told that they are tired of the noise about it. I think they want to do their job just need the TD's and skippie enablers to get out of their way.

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And did they follow through on that?

riseball said:

One of the expected changes for 2018 is to change the penalty for an IP removing the advancement of the runner. You only do that do one reason, making it more palatable to call. With the fiasco that was the 2017 season I think umpires resent having this monkey on their back.

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I definitely like the idea of doing something so that this is called more. This would take the risk out of an intentional walk--you could get your 4 balls without letting the ball fly. I wonder though, too, if the penalty is decreased if that will cause more to push the envelope? This only works if there is strict enforcement, and, sadly, I don't think we will ever get that.

I am still waiting to hear if the HC was tossed?

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Rocketech1 said:

I agree with you, I was being sarcastic. Some here think illegal pitching is not wide spread, not a problem, and totally easy to fix. The state of the game says otherwise.

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By state of the game I assume you are referring to the canyon that is commonly found right in front of the pitchers plate? This excavation is what you regularly claim makes it impossible to call an IP. Of course this could not possibly be the result of pitchers dragging since virtually all pitchers leap. But there it is. What is typically a 1 foot deep ditch capable of swallowing the softball whole, and responsible for many an injured pitcher. But since all pitchers leap it must be the grounds crew is using this unused portion of the field to plant crops?

marriard said:

Not benefiting the cheaters. Making the penalty ONLY on the pitcher doesn't benefit the cheaters - it should make it easier to call and hurt the cheaters more than is happening now (which is apparently no punishment right now). No idea why 'runners advancing' was ever part of an illegal pitch rule unless it was something that came over in the balk rule from baseball.

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USA SB had a proposed rule change in 2015 to change the IP penalty to only a ball on the batter and eliminate the base award. The proposal did not pass.

The IP rule and penalty was initially patterned after the balk rule in baseball.

There is a significant difference in the two sports, however. In baseball, with the ability for the base runner to lead off and the pickoff play, a balk is a disadvantage to the runner, so an award of a base is appropriate. In softball, with no lead off prior to the pitch, an illegal pitch disadvantages the batter, not the runner. A base award is a harsh penalty for an action that has very little, if any effect on the runner.

riseball said:

By state of the game I assume you are referring to the canyon that is commonly found right in front of the pitchers plate? This excavation is what you regularly claim makes it impossible to call an IP. Of course this could not possibly be the result of pitchers dragging since virtually all pitchers leap. But there it is. What is typically a 1 foot deep ditch capable of swallowing the softball whole, and responsible for many an injured pitcher. But since all pitchers leap it must be the grounds crew is using this unused portion of the field to plant crops?

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There is a softball in there somewhere

Awfully deep furrow considering dragging is so uncommon and unnatural.

riseball said:

Awfully deep furrow considering dragging is so uncommon and unnatural.

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No one said dragging your foot like an anchor is uncommon. What is a truism is that it is "unnatural" (unless you are trying to build a sand castle)...

We played in a fairly large showcase and played against a team that had a crow-hop pitcher. I complained loud and hard to the umpires. When they got tired of hearing me chirp about it, the field umpire went over to the pitchers circle during the half-inning, looked at ground for the cleat marks which were there, saw them. and proceeded to kick dirt over them. I let the TD, as well as the UIC know that in my view it was unacceptable.