ASA Softball Slow Pitch Stealing Rule (not in effect for Youth Slow Pitch, Co-Ed Slow Pitch, Men's Masters or Senior Slow Pitch)  

New for Women's Slow Pitch in 2008

 

  1. The runner may leave base as soon as the ball reaches the front edge of home plate.  If the runner leaves their base before the ball reaches home plate that runner (whichever runner left first if more than one) is out and the ball is dead – no pitch is declared. 

 

  1. If the ball does not reach home plate (bounces in front of the plate or on the plate), the ball is dead and the runners must return to their last base touched.

 

  1. A runner may be picked off or thrown out at any base.

 

  1. The ball remains live until the pitcher has possession of the ball in the infield (between the foul lines) and all immediate play is apparently completed.  Any Runner(s) not advancing to the next base at the time the umpire calls time must return to the last base legally touched without the risk of being put out.

 

Play # 1   Is returning the ball to the pitcher in the infield anywhere in the infield (skinned portion of the infield)?  Yes, between the foul lines.

 

Play # 2   If two runners are off base and one stops and try's to draw a throw (but doesn't) and the other runner try's to steal and has not stopped is the ball dead and both runners returned to the last base touched (provided the pitcher does not play on them)?  No.  The ball remains alive until the umpire feels all plays has ceased.   The same would be true for the ball back to the pitcher.  Bottom line, if one runner stops, all do not have to stop.

 

Play # 3   If the batter swings and misses the pitch and the ball does not reach home plate or hits on home plate is the ball still alive. No ball is dead. The umpire would give the strike signal and then a dead ball signal.  No Vocal in either instance

 

  1. A runner may advance if
    1. A play is made on a runner (any act by the pitcher in possession of the ball, in that the umpires judgment, causes the runner to react; is considered making a play).
    2. The pitcher fails to catch the ball.
    3. The catcher hits the batter on a throw to the pitcher or to a base during a play.
    4. A batter swings and misses the ball.
    5. On a foul tip.