There can be a bit more to scorekeeping when the runner advances a base than meets the eye. Generally, each time a runner advances a base, we want to note how they advanced over or beside the line drawn from the base where they were to the base where they advanced. In other Scorekeeping articles, we have already covered what to do if the runner advances when she has been batted forward by a hit (write “BF#” over the line, where # is the uniform number of the hitter), when she advances because of an error (write “AOE” over the line), or when she advances because of a throw to another base (write “AOT” over the line). Here, we will focus on the runner trying to advance on the pitch.
The runner can advance on the pitch via either a stolen base, a passed ball, or the wild pitch. The ASA rulebook defines these terms as follows:
| Type of Play | ASA Rule # | Definition |
| Stolen Base | Rule 11, Section 8 | Credited to a runner whenever they advance one base unaided by a hit, put out, force out, fielder’s choice, passed ball, wild pitch, an error, illegal pitch or obstruction. |
| Passed Ball | Rule 1 | A legally delivered pitch that should have been held or controlled by the catcher with ordinary effort. |
| Wild Pitch | Rule 1 | A legally delivered pitch that the catcher cannot catch or stop and control with ordinary effort. |
If the catcher does not field the ball cleanly and the base runner makes it to the next base on the pitch, then she does not get credited for a stolen base, but instead she advanced on a wild pitch (“WP”) or passed ball (“PB”). It is the scorekeeper’s judgment on which play applies. If the ball hits the ground before it reaches the catcher, or is so far out the strike zone that the catcher has to lunge out of her crouch to try to catch the ball, then score the play a “WP”. Otherwise, score it a “PB”.
If the catcher cleanly fields the ball, even if a short hop that she fields cleanly, and the runner makes it safely to the next base, then the runner gets credit for a stolen base. Write “SB” over the line drawn to the next base for the runner. If, however, the catcher throws the base stealer out, then write “CS” over the line, along with the defensive play to get the runner out. For example, if the catcher throws to the shortstop to get the base runner out at second, write “CS 2-6”. If there is an error on the throw or catch, but the runner would have stolen the base anyway, she still gets credit for the stolen base.
In ASA Fast Pitch play, a batter who walks can try to immediately advance to second base if second base is unoccupied (Rule 8, Section 7.T.3a). If the batter-runner makes it safely to second base in such a case, she gets on base by a base on balls (“BB”) and credit for a stolen base to second base. I usually draw an arrow around the corner of the diamond at first base to show that the runner advanced directly to second.
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So what is this animal called “stolen base” in Slow Pitch softball? I have to admit, I have never played in a Slow Pitch league that allowed stealing, but it sure seems interesting.
| Per the ASA Rule Supplement #50, “stealing is permitted as long as the runner does not leave the base until the ball reaches the front edge of home plate. If the ball either hits the plate or touches the ground prior to reaching the front edge of home plate, the ball is dead and the runners may not advance. The ball remains live until the pitcher has possession of the ball in the infield and the completion of all immediate play is apparent. The ball is also dead when the pitched ball hits the batter. The ball is live and runners may advance when: A. A play is made on the runner. B. The pitcher fails to catch the ball. C. The catcher hits the batter on a throw to the pitcher or to a base during a play. When a play is made on a runner, the ball is live and runners may advance. |
Basically, if the pitch is called a ball and crosses the plane of the front edge of the plate, or the batter swings and misses but the ball does not touch the plate, then the ball is live and the runner can advance. I like this rule! It definitely makes the catcher a more valuable part of the defense.
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