Softball Lead Rule: Does It Impact Gameplay?

Question
MARK, DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT IN OUR LEAGUE WE PLAY THAT YOU CAN TAKE A LEAD ONCE THE BALL LEAVES THE PITCHERS HAND.  THE WAY I LOOK AT IT IS THAT AS LONG AS I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FOOT ON THE BAG BY THE TIME HE RELEASED THE PITCH I SHOULD BE O.K.  WHEN HE CALLED TIME-OUT BEFORE THE PITCH WAS EVER EVEN THROWN SHOULD'NT THAT HAVE KILLED THE PLAY ALL TOGETHER?
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Followup To

Question -
In a game of slow-pitch softball lastnight I was called out on a questionable call and want to know if the umpire was justified in his decision.  I was on third base with one out. The pitcher was walking around the mound area and I was a step off of the base in foul teratory, as the pitcher started his wind-up I was stepping back to the bag, but as my foot was getting to the bag I heard the umpire yell TIME.. He then yelled down to me on third that I was OUT.  Now I can not see how I can be out when the pitcher never enev released the ball.  I was off the bag before his wind-up but would have been on the bag for his delivery. was he wrong in calling me out in this situation or was i wrong in being off the bag at any time?  Thankyou,  Sean Carney

Answer -
Hi Sean,

I think you're going to have to use this one as a learning tool.  The umpire called or indicated play, the pitcher begins his delivery and you are off the base.

8-7-r the runner is out when the runner fails to keep contact with the base to which they are entitled until a pitched ball is batted, touches the ground or reaches home plate.

Mark

Answer
Hi again Sean,

Your local rule about leading off on the pitch is a little unusal but doesn't change the fact you were off base when play commenced and the pitcher began his delivery.

When 8-7-r is invoked we have no pitch, and a dead ball, so he has to kill the play to call you out.

I know what you're saying but imagine if the bases were loaded and we had to watch 3 people, moving and touching the base at the time of release...wouldn't work.  Sorry but by rule the call was correct.

Mark