Screwy Play that acually happened

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by marvin

Runners have the right to leave the base once the pitcher releases the ball. If the runner tries to get as much of an advantage by "timing" the release she is subject to the penalty that happens when she gets the timing wrong. In NCAA play there are teams that teach the pitchers to use a delivery that utilizes a slowed down arm movement to try to get outs this way.

But, that is legal play.

Originally Posted by marvin

More pitchers are being taught to not deliver a pitch when an illegal pitch is called.

But, that is not what the issue is. The issue is when a pitch is illegal BECAUSE it was not delivered.

Originally Posted by marvin

The runner's responsibility is to stay on the base until the ball is released, so unless you have an action by the defense that causes an exception to apply (such as the NFHS case cited) then why shouldn't the runner be out?

Then you have turned the IP rule on its head. The defense gets a benefit (runner out) by pitching illegally.