Rule question - no steal of Home

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Aug 10, 2016
686
63
Georgia
When DD's played in the State tournament this past spring, they had to learn a few extra rules they don't normally play with. Our rec league has a run limit and a steal limit (only 1 base a time even if there's an overthrow). The stolen base rule changes in 12U however.

But at the state tournament, you could not steal home nor could you steal second on a walk (which is fine since we didn't do that often). However, in 10U, stealing home is pretty common. We played teams from other areas of the state, and they said they play by that rule too.

Is that common at all? Obviously in TB, a lot of these rec rules do not apply.
But why would you disallow stealing home?
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Our county's rec program has the same rules, one base at a time and no stealing home in 10U. Plus a 5 or 7 run limit per inning, I can't remember which.
 
Aug 10, 2016
686
63
Georgia
Her team only had to use that rule for one tournament but it was just strange for us. DD loves stealing home because she is pretty fast and you could def see some of our faster players just itching to go on passed balls.
Is it a safety thing? At a game earlier in the season, we had a collision between pitcher (they were covering) and base runner where the pitcher had her collarbone broken so I can see badness but I feel like any play at home can cause issues.
We had girl slide into home on a play and completely took out the catcher. No one was hurt luckily.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
In our rec league (ASA), the only age group with limits on stealing is 8U. This is consistent in So Cal ASA tournament play. 10U is wide open bases.
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
In our area, 10u rec does not permit stealing home. 10u travel is spotty. By rule, most associations will permit stealing home, but I have seen some invitational tournaments that will restrict it. It depends who sponsors the event. For example, we played in an 18u tournament in September that did not permit metal cleats. First time that happened to us at 18u.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
In most of the rec league play I've seen at the 8u and 10u level, only allowing one base on an overthrow or "closing" home is with the intent of not discouraging pitchers and catchers and allowing them to focus on pitching and catching to develop those skills.
 
Aug 10, 2016
686
63
Georgia
I could see it for rec league play - maybe first part of the season - but just found it strange at a State Level All-Star tournament to give them a no run-limit rule, but take away the steal of home. Definitely less stress for our pitchers/catchers but then the next tournament, they played with 12U rules (dropped third strike, no steal limit, infield fly rule) - although they were 10U

(Did love the no run limit though - probably because they were winning)
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
It clogs up the bases giving the defense more chances to get an out.

Also it is a fairly dangerous play.
[MENTION=2664]quincy[/MENTION] nailed it. I would add that 98.6% of the time these are NOT stolen bases. The runners are advancing on passed balls and wild pitches which provides little instructional value and requires even less in the way of skill. I can count on one hand number of times in a season I see a legitimate steal of home.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
[MENTION=2664]quincy[/MENTION] nailed it. I would add that 98.6% of the time these are NOT stolen bases. The runners are advancing on passed balls and wild pitches which provides little instructional value and requires even less in the way of skill. I can count on one hand number of times in a season I see a legitimate steal of home.

That's true in travel too, at 10U anyway. I don't know that I've ever seen a girl steal home where it wasn't a passed ball or wild pitch, or an error (like catcher throws to 3B for a pick off and overthrows, runner at 3B goes home while 3B chases the ball down). I've seen legit steals of 2B a good bit and a few of 3B, mostly delayed steals. Those are fun to watch :)

We have played tournaments through USSSA, ASA, CAM, TSFA, & USFA at the 10U level here in GA and all have allowed stealing home & stealing multiple bases.
 

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