Really, really basic baseball question

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a late convert to baseball and didn’t start following it until the Nats came to DC in 2005. So there are these weird gaps in my knowledge.

Can someone please explain in simple terms what circumstances mean a ball is not in playt? What I mean is, when can runners try to advance to another base. I know the basics, but I get a little murky on some of the more esoteric ways that bases can be stolen.

As far as I know unless someone calls for time and the request is granted, the ball is in play. Of course when the ball is thrown out of the playing field, the ball is not in play and the runners are directed to advance.

The ball’s not in play if it’s fouled off, unless it’s caught in foul territory, then it’s still in play.

Here’s Wikipedia on when the ball is dead in baseball: Dead ball - Wikipedia