Pitch hits home plate why dead?

[kycat1]

If home plate is in fair territory, then why is a pitched ball that hits the plate dead for a base runner to steal? I know it is in the rule book, but what was their thinking? Any thoughts?

[Ed Maeder]

In the ASA game 7-5-B states that the ball is dead and runners may not advance. That is the rule and that's what we get paid the big bucks to call.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Assume you are talking slow pitch. My understanding is that in the transition from no stealing, there was too much sentiment against allowing stealing when the ball might take an irregular and uncontrolled bounce, as can often happen off the plate.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by kycat1

If home plate is in fair territory, then why is a pitched ball that hits the plate dead for a base runner to steal? I know it is in the rule book, but what was their thinking? Any thoughts?

Fair territory has nothing to do with it.

Stealing aside, the ball which hits the plate most likely does not pass through the strike zone and the plate is an easy demarcation for the umpire. Theoretically, it is also a ball that has not passed the batter, so you don't want the catcher to be forced to step into a possible swing to get a breaking runner and, as Steve noted, balls which hit the plate take some funny bounces.

[CecilOne]

Fair/foul is a batted ball factor. A pitch is not dead if it hits the ground in foul territory, or the catcher, or the umpire, etc.