Little League

Question
QUESTION: In an 8U league which is run under Little League rulebook except for the following,  
"BASE STEALING Limited base stealing is allowed.  A batter once becoming a runner is limited to stealing 2nd or 3rd base and is limited to stealing one base at a time.  THERE IS NO STEALING HOME, not even on a passed ball.  A runner cannot leave any base until the ball crosses home plate.  If a runner does not steal, they must go immediately back to their base once the pitcher has possession of the ball on the rubber.  If a play is made on ANY base runner, then the other runners may run at their own risk, including any player on third base may then advance if the ball was put in play by any fielder trying to pick off a runner at any base.", if our team has runners on first and third, can we have the runner on first begin to steal second and then stop halfway in an effort to force the defense to make a play on the runner?  the goal being, of course, to have the runner from third score once sucha  play is attempted on the runner who is now stopped halfway between first and second?  If 'stopping' is an issue, could we have the runner on first run three steps and then walk very slowly the rest of the way in an attempt to do same?  This was done to our team recently and we were frustrated.  Also, can a batter who is walked continue straight to second base if the pitcher does not have the ball on the rubber when he gets to first?  This was also done to us.  Please help to clarify.  Thanks in advance for your guidance.

ANSWER: Hey Mike,

In the leagues that I ran, I would not allow any of those things. It only causes hard feelings and no one is learning anything.. The better players in the league have a tendency to run and control the game.. A walk would turn into a triple.  This is not baseball. I would not allow kids to go home on a steal of second, with men on first and third either.  Unfortunately, you will have to check with your house commissioner, cause these are all HOUSE rules and change per each little league organization and division.
Dennis

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: correct.  couldn't agree with you more.  since, however, the hawks seem to be ruling the day, can you comment on the 'letter of the law' with regard to starting a runner from first in a first and third situation (as described above) and then, stopping the runner half-way to make sure they are forced to make a play on the runner.  i am looking for a way to defend against this play.  can i cite a rule?  can i ask the catcher to simply throw it back to the pitcher so the pitcher can prepare for the next pitch and, provided the catcher is also ready, claim that the runner must return to first?  everything i read in the rules seems to indicate that that type of strategy wouldn't work.  principles aside, if i can't beat em i need to join em.  my boys are very talented, just not prepared to defend against that type of play consistently - yet.  if we know the rules and continue to teach the boys, perhaps we can even beat these guys.  some background:  our town divided 45 boys (a record, and an indication that our rec program - which i run, has been successful thus far) into three equal teams for the summer season.  we finished third, fourth and sixth respectively out of twenty teams.  we can hang with the best but, unfortunately, the top two teams, select teams from much, much (6X) larger towns have bunted and ran us into the ground.  games i recall scores of are 12-3, 11-4, 8-7, 9-6.  we always seem to lose and, frankly, the boys are slightly intimidated by the yelling coaches and aggressive baserunning they have witnessed as our town does not have stealing or bunting at this age.  we have been coaching bunting, stealing and defense of same for about 6 total hours of practice.  we have the opportunity next week to have three practices for about six more hours.  if we work on defending and, frankly, giving a bit of the opposition's medicine right back to them, i think we have a decent chance of winning a big game in the upcoming playoffs.  so, specifically, i would like to put you on the spot:  if the runner goes half way and stops, does the defensive team have to make a play on him?  can the umpire do anything with regard to calling time if the defensive team does something or some combination of things (like preparing for the next pitch etc)?  please advise in a strict interpretation of the rulebook.  thanks VERY much.

Answer
Hey Mike,

Frankly I don't see much you can do. The players are just not talented enough at this age.. Either they are very talented or there for fun. You could put a player with your best throwing arm behind the plate. That's all that you can really do.. If you can just throw out 1 runner, that may discourage the opposing team to do it again..
As far as stealing home on a throw back to the pitcher is concerned, the only thing you can do is have the catcher walk half way down to third after every pitch.  This is the reason that I changed the rule.  It took forever to get the game in.
Good Luck..
Dennis