Off base

Question
Rich,

We do not allow stealing in our league, and yes, I am still stuck in the mud seeking clarity.

You would allow a player not wanting to be hit by a batted ball to lead off behind the base or in foul territory before the ball is pitched.

Is this an ASA rule?

If yes, then how much of a lead-off is allowed?

If no - can a runner leave the base after the previous play is declared over and before the ball is pitched?

I understand special circumstances granted a distinct time out (e.g. equipment problem, medical need, substitution).

But our game situation was not a special circumstance. It was a runner moving off the base for an unknown reason. I do not understand why moving a few feet behind the base, in front of the base, into foul territory, or toward the next base makes a difference.

Thank you!

Ken Boos



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Followup To

Question -
Rich,

If my interpretation of your answer is correct, once the umpire signals time out/play over, the runner must return to and stay on the base until after the next pitched ball ball reaches the plate. If the runner leads off the base before the pitch is thrown, then he can be called out, subject to the umpire's interpretation as to why he was leading off.

My follow-up question: Is the umpire's statement, citing a "dead ball play" relevant to the situation?

As for why the runner led off. You have only my biased, subjective opinion. He did not lead off so much as moving toward second, but a little down the right field line. The following inning, his teammate, reaching second and did the same thing -- lead off behind the base after the umpire signalled time/play over. It both cases, I felt that it was a tactic of leaving the base in a way not as perceptable to the umpire behind the plate, in an attempt to draw an unnecessary throw from pitcher - hoping to make something happen. But that might be paranoid.

Thank you!

Ken Boos


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Followup To

Question -
Dear Mr. Eddings,

Our league is adult slow pitch played by ASA rules, including a league rule that a runner is allowed "one step" off a base after the pitch crosses the back of home plate.

A batter reached first safely on a hit to right field. The ball was thrown back to the infield. The batter/runner returned to first base. The ball was thrown to the pitcher. The umpire called time. The pitcher was set on the rubber, but before the next batter stepped into the batter's box, the runner on first took two steps off the base. The pitcher ran to first to apply a tag, but the runner returned to the base before the tag was made. The umpire ruled that the runner on first was was safe because it was a "dead ball play" and could not be ruled out. The umpire said that the ball is not live until the next batter is in the batter's box and a pitch is made.

I am confused. Thank you!

Ken Boos





Answer -
Thanks for the question!

First of all, the ASA rule in Slow Pitch says a runner can leave a base as soon as it reaches the plate.  So it doesn't matter front, or back, once it get (over) the plate, the runner may leave the base.  Your league rule can potentially change the ASA rule below.

In 12" Slow Pitch, the runner is out if the runner fails to keep contact with the base to which they are entitled until a pitched ball is batted, touches the ground, or reaches home plate.

Now here's where the umpire gets to interpret the rule and what he sees.  If this is me and the guy is tying his shoe or something like that, no problem runner safe.  But if this runner was trying to take a real lead off of first for the purposes of getting to second faster, that runner is OUT!

I hope this helps answer your question, if not please reply!

Answer -
I would not have used those words.  Time was called and play was suspended, but it's not a "dead ball" situation.  If the guy was off the bag to give himself more time to react when a batter comes up and hits down the line, as long as they are not taking steps towards their next base (standing in foul ground or back towards the outfield), I usually won't worry about that either (except see below).  That's just a guy trying to stay safe with all these hot bats we have these days.

One more thing, if you have stealing in this ASA league, I would make the runner(s) remain on the bag no matter what.  Because again you can't leave until the ball reaches the plate (in the air, if it hits the ground before the plate it's dead ball and the runners can not steal).  So if he's leading off when stealing is in the game the ball, even when time is called, is still live.  So that runner coming off the bag would be OUT.  After the first time it happened, it should have been addressed by the umpire so everyone was clear in the rule about coming off the bag.  Clear as mud?

I hope this helps answer your question, if not please reply!

Answer
Yes, in league play I would allow the runner to start in foul territory on first or third base (a runner on second I would keep them on second, they have more time to react), as long as they are not any closer to the next base.  We all have to work tomorrow.  We're not curing AIDS, not solving world hunger.  We're playing softball, playing to enjoy the game and have safe fun.  Keeping people safe is a top priority for me as an umpire.  If I can keep people safe, without impacting the game, as an umpire in league play, I will do that every time.

Is this an ASA rule?  Of course it isn't an ASA rule.  As I stated previous, the ASA rule says you have to be on the base.  The rulebook is for championship play only.  Modifications can and usually are made at the local level.  See ASA Rule 12.

I gave you eveything I can, but without umpiring the game I can't say what I would or would not have done based on what you've told me.  Next time go up talk to the umpire and find out what the situation is, if he gives you an answer that doesn't jive, protest the game immediately.  That's my best advice.

Good luck!