softball fastpitch asa

Question
What is the circle around the rubber mean? Some people say it means dead ball some say runners can not steal with one is it and can you make it clean for me to understand because i run the league we always have problems about this.Does the pitcher have to be on the rubber with ball in hands for it to be a dead ball? Who can call for time to end the play. Can the pitcher call time so the runner can't seal, once again does she have to be in the circle?

Answer
Hi Rachel

the 8' circle is for the Look Back Rule.  If the pitcher is in possession of the ball in the circle in most cases w/ runners on the LBR is in effect.  This rule puts a responsibility on the runners to either advance or return.  The ball in most cases continues to be live.  The pitcher being on the pitcher's plate does not make it a dead ball.  You need to have your coach explain the LBR to you.

The pitcher can ask the umpire for time for a legitimate reason but stopping runners from advancing is not one of them.

Mark