wolfman645

Thanks UKCE1861, just sent you a PM. So in summary for LL: If pitcher is on rubber and catcher is squatting ready to receive and if the base runner is on the base, then the runner can not lead or steal, so the ball is technically dead. If however, the runner was off the bag prior to the pitcher and catcher being ready to go, then the runner is free to make a decision to either return to the bag, or steal at his his own risk.

Thanks Scrounge, Thunderheads and umpcoachfather....much appreciated. That clarifies it for sure at the MLB or HS level since the ball remains live. The two things I know that are clear about 46/60 LL rules are that 1) leading is not permitted, and 2). the runner is not allowed to steal a base until after a pitched ball has crossed home plate. With those youth baseball rule as the backdrop for 46/60 LL, I wonder how this impacts the situation I have mentioned above from a LL perspective. Given this, would it be safe to assume that in 46/60 LL the runner can not steal a base once the pitcher has the ball so as long as the catcher got the ball back to the pitcher in a timely manner the runner is in "jail" at 1B.

My questions are regarding the stealing of a base directly following a walk in Little League vs. HS vs. Major Leagues etc... OK, here is the situtation: Nobody on base, 1 out. Pitcher walks the batter. Ball 4 was a wild pitch and the catcher was being lazy/slow in getting to the ball. Meanwhile the walked batter hustled over to 1B, and then proceeded to steal 2nd before the slow/lazy catcher got a chance to get the ball back to the pitcher. 2 questions: 1. Is this legal? If so, I assume the moral of the story is the catcher better get the ball back to the pitcher quickly. 2. What is the general rule? For example, the runners can steal provided the pitcher doesn't have the ball???? I wonder if this is the same for LL vs. HS vs. MLB? Thanks.