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From: sdi@loral.UUCP (Steve Irwin)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Softball Rule Interpretation
Message-ID: <178@loral.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 7-Jun-84 18:26:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: loral.178
Posted: Thu Jun  7 18:26:09 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Jun-84 00:49:28 EDT
References: <128@pthya.UUCP>
Organization: Loral Instruments, San Diego
Lines: 18

The Softball Rule is such that when the ball crosses the plate
the ball is in play - period.  A baserunner cannot lead off at
all.  Leading off is coming off the bag prior to the pitch.
A runner is simply "coming off" the bag when the ball crosses
the plate and can do whatever he wants.  The reason there is a
catcher there is to catch the ball and the keep the ball in play
at all times.

I would have to agree with you and say that the catcher has the
right to try to pick off the runner at first but in doing so
creates the chance for the runner on third to score. 

When the ball crossed the plate to begin with the ball is in
play and that is all there is to it.  If someone in the league
had a rule book you could probably find this phrase somewhere.

			"Mr. Rules"