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Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
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Another change is to allow the runner to leave the base in FP when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand OR "when the pivot foot leaves the pitching plate on the delivery."
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The reason offered was that different pitching styles proved to be advantageous to some teams (?)
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I spoke to a member of the ASA National Umpire Staff about this one earlier this year.
He stated that by allowing the runners to leave the base when the pitcher's pivot foot left the pitcher's plate would give the runner an extra step or two. Because this extra step or two is a tremendous advantage in stealing a base, the "leap and drag" pitchers would have to change their style to keep the pivot foot on the pitchers plate longer in order to eliminate the extra step the runners would be getting.
When the pitchers adjust, it should virtually eliminate the whining and complaining about illegal pitches due to crow hops and leaps. The general feeling is that too many pitchers are borderline illegal and that umpires are hesitant to call illegal pitches.