STEALING BASES IN MINORS=
AND
MAJORS
When a pitcher is in contact with the
pitcher's plate AND in possession of the ball AND the catcher is in the
catcher's box READY TO RECEIVE delivery of the ball, base runners shall not
leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has REACHED THE BAT=
TER.
Confusion on this rule arises in regard=
to
what exactly do they mean by "REACHED THE BATTER" and "READY=
TO
RECEIVE" and just when does a runner have to
return and what is the proper penalty when a runner leaves early and then t=
he
pitch is hit.
Ready to receive means the catcher must=
have
his equipment on (including his helmet) and be in the catcher's box facing =
the
pitcher. He does NOT have to be squatting. The batter does not have to be in
the batter's box. Because the batter may not be in the box, the catcher is =
not
required to squat.
Reached the batter means literally that=
. If
the batter is standing in the front of the box the pitch reaches him at a
different time than when he is standing in the back of the box. It is NOT w=
hen
the pitch crosses the plate, which is the most common misinterpretation.
Frequently in Little League, a batter w=
ho is
a fast runner will run all the way to second after receiving a base-on-ball=
s.
This occurs mostly when a runner is on third. Managers think they can stop =
this
by having the catcher immediately return the ball to the pitcher and have t=
he
pitcher step on the rubber before the runner arrives at first. SORRY! The
official ruling from headquarters is: you may not stop a runner who is ALRE=
ADY
ADVANCING and continuing to advance prior to the pitcher and catcher being =
in
position. If a runner stops or is already stopped when =
the
pitcher steps on the rubber, that runner must return. He is liable t=
o be
put out while off base, but if he advances after being stopped while the
pitcher was on the rubber, he shall be sent back. The umpire must use good =
judgment.
The defense should not be granted time out while a runner is advancing. All
play must be stopped before the umpire grants time out.