The Amateur Softball Association, or ASA, is the gold standard of rules for youth as well as adult softball. It is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the governing body for softball in this country. The ASA oversees softball in every state via 87 local associations. Whether stealing bases is allowed depends on age and whether a team is playing slow pitch or fast pitch under ASA rules.
10U
In 10 and under fast pitch play, runners are allowed to steal one base per pitch at first and second. Runners are not allowed to steal home from third base. Stealing is not allowed in 10U slow pitch, advises "Coaching Youth Softball," from the American Sport Education Program, or ASEP.
12U and 14U
Stealing of all bases is allowed in 12 and under fast pitch as well as 14 and under fast pitch. No stealing is allowed for these age divisions in slow pitch, according to the ASEP.
Adult
Stealing is allowed in adult fast pitch for both men and women. It's also allowed for men's slow pitch and women's open division slow pitch, according to the ASA Official Rules of Softball, Umpire Edition.
Time Frame
A runner is allowed to leave base when the ball reaches home plate's front edge in slow pitch. Runners can leave when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand in fast pitch, according to the ASA. A runner can be thrown out or picked off at any base when attempting to steal. In general, the ball is live until the pitcher has possession of it. If a pitched ball that is live goes into dead ball territory or is blocked, runners can be awarded only one base and the ball becomes dead.
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