Originally Posted by jmkupka (Post 614975)

Mike, I'm assuming that you advocate eliminating the LBR, but retaining a rule preventing a runner from leaving before the pitch is released. Otherwise there will never be another out at 2B on a steal attempt(?)

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 614959)

Not trying to be a smart ***, but LL did not have softball at the time these rules were in place. To be honest, I don't believe you can compare LL to the rest of the softball world. Many of the rules are baseball-based (as were many of the early softball rules) and remain so at the original age levels.

And like ASA changes at the men's FP game, I believe it may be that the rules at the older levels of LL softball were possibly forced changes to stay competitive with the softball organizations with which they compete.

Just an opinion.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 614781)

Ya know, Tom, at no point did I suggest an umpire not apply the LBR when appropriate, yet some have determined they know what is in my mind better than I and have responded as if I did.

At no point did I suggest the LBR is stupid, yet some have chosen to respond as if I did.

How I initially responded was directly to the subject by stating there was an option (approved by ASA) to just kill the ball to allow umpires to return to their positions.

Unlike what some would like to believe, I do not jump up on my soapbox at the mention of the LBR. I will, however, voice my opinion when the discussion gets to that point and I will not apologize for doing so.

And for those who are still searching for a valid reason to retain the rule, the manner in which the umpire enforces the rules would not change, you just don't call the runner out.

Originally Posted by Dakota (Post 615116)

Joke #42 ... ;)

"searching for a valid reason...." No, just valid enforcement. I don't like the slow pitch rule for the fast pitch game, since the defense needs to play the game, too, including accurate throws of the ball in to the pitcher, etc.