Base Stealing

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mark, I had a situation come up in a game Friday (girls 14U fastpitch)that I question... We had 2 new "blues" and they did a pretty fair job, however, they stated to me that a runner can steal on any pitched ball, given that she does not leave too early. It came up when a runner at 2nd stole 3rd on ball 4. I played FP for over 10 years and had never heard such a thing??? I came home and searched my ASA rule book and cannot find anything on this particular situation. Cna you shed any light on this for me please. Thank you for your time.

Coach Rae
ANSWER: Hi Coach,

by rule the ball is live on ball 4 unless it is blocked 8-1-c  and 8-4-a runners are entitled to advance w/ liability to be out out when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.

So there is no difference between ball 4 and any other pitch  and runners can attempt to advance on it.

Mark

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

QUESTION: Thanks for clarifying! On a follow-up question, We play a team in our leauge where the coach teaches them to "jump-in" to the pitch if it's close to them at all. I have players now who used to play for him who told me this. He tells them to "take one for the team, and that it doesn't hurt that bad." Sure enough we played them and our pitcher had 5 dead balls, but has had none against the other teams we play b/c they jump back or try & get out of the way if it looks too close. Question is, is there anything I can do about this during our next meeting with them? Thanks, for your insight.

Coach Rae

Answer
Hi Coach,

sure there is,

if the ball is not in the strike zone, 8-f exception, if no attempt is made to avoid being hit the batter will not be awarded 1st base unless it is ball 4.

if the ball is in the strike zone, 7-4-i a strike is called when a delivered ball by the pitcher hits the batter while the ball is in the strike zone.  

If it's the 3rd strike the batter is out.7-6-a-2 and 3

mark

ps I forgot 7-4-L a strike is called when a pitched ball is prevented from entering the strike zone by any actions by the batter other than hitting the ball.