Illegal Pitch Procedure

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Little Jimmy

What if,indeed, the powers that be wanted to allow this particular pitch infraction to have the potential to be nullified? How would that exception be any different than any of the other exceptions that appear in the multitude of books we adhere to?

It would have to appear in Rule 6, Section 3 of the book under "Illegal Pitch". There would have to be something in that section, likely under "A. Effect" that says something like, "The pitch is declared a ball and base runners are awarded one base without liability to be put out. Exception: If after the illegal pitch is declared, the pitcher removes herself from the pitching position per Rule 6, Section 1.D Note, then the infraction is nullified."

Also, take a look at Rule 10, Section 1.O. It says when a pitcher commits an Illegal Pitch, but no pitch is delivered to the batter, you have an Immediate Dead Ball. So a pitcher steps on the plate with both hands together, and the umpire calls an IP, whereupon she steps off the plate. Now we call a dead ball. Why? If there is no infraction as your UIC states, why bother killing play if there's nothing to do at that point since the IP is nullified? I don't believe USSSA feels that that's the case. I think, like in every other softball organization out there, that the IP violation is still there, and the umpire administers the penalty.