High School Softball question

Question
Hi. I start varsity on a high school softball team in Ohio. Here was the situation: I was on 3rd base,no one else was on base, and there were no outs. My teammate popped the ball up in foul territory and the catcher on the opposing team caught the ball for an out. The catcher than made a bad throw back to the pitcher and the ball got away from her. Now, I'm a pretty fast runner, but since the ball was ruled dead by the umpire I thought I wasn't allowed to steal home. My 3rd base coach told me
afterwards that I should've stolen home, but I ended up scoring a run anyway that inning. I thought I made the right choice, but I thought I should ask someone. Do you think I made the right choice?


Answer
Hello Anne,

The ball should of been live until the pitcher had possession in the circle and you had returned to third base.  If the foul ball was caught for the first out, you should not of tried to advance to home unless it was clearly obvious that you would make it.  I wouldn't want a runner thrown out at home if I had less than two outs.  I will typically take more chances on two outs with sending a runner home since any out after that would result in a runner left on base.  

To sum it up, Anne, if the umpire had signaled time inadvertently then the blame is immediately off you.  In the situation you mentioned, I personally would not of sent you home unless it was clearly obvious there would not be a play made on you.  

Coach Mike