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"Other things that could be an IP, taking the sign off the pitching plate. Or stepping onto the plate with the hands together. You could have a girl step on the plate with hands together and pitch while you are signalling IP, and the runner gets off base prior to release."
Taking the sign off the pitching plate is NOT an illegal pitch, and is not noted as one in any softball rules; pitcher is only required to either take a signal or simulate taking a signal by pausing with hands separated. Pitcher can take a signal anywhere, and anytime without that being an illegal pitch. This is a softball urban legend that belongs in the "it's in the book" thread, started by our baseball brethren (where it IS illegal).
Stepping on the pitching plate with the hands together is also NOT an illegal pitch, until the hands ARE separated. Up to that point, the pitcher can realize that the preliminary action is in error, and legally back off the plate to avoid the illegal pitch.
Some actions by the pitcher become illegal at some specific point in time, and it can be preliminary to the actual release, or simultaneous with the release. If preliminary to the release, I also believe the delayed dead ball would still allow the offense to accept the penalty for the illegal pitch; if simultaneous with the release, then the leaving base early occurred first, and thus "no pitch".
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