Quote:
Originally Posted by Manny A
I disagree that the rule was meant to speed up the game. If that was the case, why have a courtesy runner for the pitcher? Besides, the one-minute-between-innings rule is enough of a speed-up rule, and it behooves the umpire to enforce it to keep the game moving.
I believe the courtesy runner rule was intended to give the two players who typically work the hardest on defense an opportunity to rest while their team is at bat. That's why there's no restriction to using one with less than two outs.
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I believe it was originally meant as a speed up. Once they realized they could get away with changing the game, the Charlie Finley's of youth ball decided to protect their pitcher. 
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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