ASA mens stealing

Question
A ball is pitched with a runner on second, after the ball crosses the plate, the runner on second walks towards third. The catcher throws the ball back to pitcher and the runner sprints to third. The runner never stopped walking towards third, just started sprinting when catcher threw ball back to pitcher. Is this legal, and could you please refer me to the rule?? Thanks Jason

Answer
Hi Jason,  

Stealing is allowed in most ASA play, although a lot of league play prohibits it (I think that's a disadvantage if their teams play ASA tournaments).  Coach to umpire in tournie after 2 runners steal 2nd and 3rd... "you can't steal in SP!!!!!!????"  Umpire to coach "yes coach you can, been that way for a few years now!"  Coach " I want to see the UIC RIGHT NOW!!!!"  Umpire "that's fine coach we'll keep playing while you go find them"

There is nothing wrong with what R1 did provided they did not leave until the pitch reached the front edge of the plate, and the pitch did not hit in front of the plate or the plate (dead ball).  The ball remains live until the pitcher has possession of the ball in the infield and all immediate play has stopped.  In this case R1 was in motion and play was continuing.

Look as RS 50 for all important info and 8-4f

Mark