ASA, NSA, USSSA, Ect., and High School Fastpitch Softball

Question
Pitcher has control of the ball inside of the pitcher's circle, but is not on the pitching plate, just walking in or around.  Can a baserunner, who is standing on a base, leagally, just up and run to the next base at any time, until the pitcher gets on the pitcher's plate, and gets ready to pitch the ball?


Answer
Once the ball is in control of the pitcher in the circle and the runners have stopped on a base, the runner may not leave the base until the next pitch is released.

If the runner leaves the base in this situation before the release of the pitch, the proper call is, dead ball, runner out.