Softball was introduced as an Olympic sport for women only in 1996, making its final appearance at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The rules of softball are similar to those of baseball, with slight variations for fastpitch and slowpitch softball at the national and international levels. Whether a batter can steal second before a pitch depends on the circumstances and the type of softball she's playing.
Slowpitch: U.S. Rules
The governing body for slowpitch softball in the U.S. is the United States Specialty Sports Association, or USSSA. For girls who are 8 years old or younger, the USSSA rules state that no walks, or base on balls, can be awarded. For adults, walks can be awarded either intentionally or due to the pitcher throwing 3 pitches outside the strike zone that the batter does not attempt to hit. While runners on base are permitted to lead off of their bases, stealing is not permitted under any circumstances in U.S. slowpitch softball.
Slowpitch: International Rules
The International Softball Federation's rules for awarding a base on balls differ from those used by the USSSA. As in the USSSA rules, an intentional walk can be awarded without a pitch thrown to a batter if the coach, pitcher or catcher tells the umpire to do so. Unintentional walks are awarded when 4 pitches are thrown outside the strike zone that the batter does not attempt to hit. Similar to the U.S. rules, stealing is not allowed under any circumstances in international slowpitch softball.
Fastpitch: U.S. Rules
The United States Fastpitch Association, or USFA, is one of the leading fastpitch softball authorities in the U.S. Similar to the international slowpitch rules, a base on balls can be awarded in USFA rules either intentionally or after 4 pitches are thrown outside the strike zone that the batter does not attempt to hit. Intentional walks can be awarded, without a pitch thrown, to a batter when the pitcher informs the umpire of her intention to do so, though the USSSA fastpitch rules do not allow intentional walks.
After a base on balls, the ball is considered live and you can continue past first base until a dead ball is declared. While no stealing is allowed for girls 8 years old and younger, stealing is permitted in the USFA's rules for older players. If the pitcher has possession of the ball but a dead ball is not yet declared, a runner on first can attempt to steal second. If a dead ball has been declared, the USFA rules state that you cannot advance to second until the pitcher releases the ball during her pitch.
Fastpitch: International Rules
Similar to international slowpitch, the International Softball Federation is the main governing body for fastpitch softball worldwide. While the ball is considered dead after an intentional walk in international rules, the ball is still live after an unintentional walk and you can continue past first base provided you do not stop at first. As is true of USFA rules, you can continue past first base on a walk if the pitcher has the ball and the ball has not been declared dead. Once the pitcher has possession of the ball and a dead ball is declared, however, you cannot advance past first until she releases the ball during her pitch.
Can You Steal Second Before a Pitch Is Thrown?
While no stealing is permitted in U.S. and international slowpitch softball, the rules of fastpitch softball allow stealing under certain circumstances. If you have reached first base on a walk and a dead ball has not been declared, you may continue to second base whether or not the pitcher has possession of the ball. However, if she has possession of the ball and a dead ball has been declared, both U.S. and international rules state that you are not allowed to steal second until she releases the ball during her pitch.
References
- United States Specialty Sports Association: Official Slow Pitch Rule Book and National By-Laws
- International Softball Federation Playing Rules Committee: Official Rules of Softball
- United States Fastpitch Association: USFA 11th Edition Rulebook
- United States Specialty Sports Association: Official Fast Pitch Playing Rules and By-Laws: 6th Edition
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