Just Curious

[Andy]

The "safety" is big in slowpitch around here.

It's even in the league rules in two of the leagues I work. A runner on third can stand in foul territory with a right handed batter up to avoid a potential line drive down the third base line. When the ball is put in play, the runner must touch third before advancing.

In my observations, I have seen far more runners using "safety" be hit or almost hit by batted foul balls than they would have been if they just stayed on third.