Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
77 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
The Ball (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.01 (ball doctoring 3.02 in old rules) Cork/rubber core, wound with yarn, covered with two strips of white horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. 5-5.25 oz, 9-9.25 in circumference.*No player shall intentionally discolour or damage the ball by rubbing it with soil, rosin, paraffin, liquorice, sand-paper, emery- paper or other foreign substance. PENALTY: The umpire shall demand the ball and remove the offender from the game. In addition, the offender shall be suspended automatically for 10 games. |
|
|
The Bat (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.02 (1.01 in old rules) a) One, solid (smooth & round) piece of wood up to 2.61in diameter at thickest part & up to 42in in length. b) Cupped Bats - curved indentation in the end of the bat up to 11⁄4 inches in depth, between 1-2in diameter. *No foreign substance added. c) Pine Tar - no more than 18in from end. PENALTY: Bat is removed from the game, but NOT the batter. If no objections are raised prior to a bat's use, then a violation on that play does not nullify any action or play on the field and no protests of such play shall be allowed. d) No coloured bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee. |
|
|
Player Uniforms (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.03 (1.11 in old rules) a) All players on a team shall wear uniforms identical in colour, trim and style, and all players' uniforms shall include minimal six-inch numbers on their backs. b) Any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be of a uniform solid colour for all players on a team. Any player other than the pitcher may have numbers, and/or letters, insignia attached to the sleeve of the undershirt. c) No player whose uniform does not conform to that of his teammates shall be permitted to participate in a game. d) A league may provide that each team shall wear a distinctive uniform at all times, or that each team shall have two sets of uniforms, white for home games and a different colour for road games. e) Sleeve lengths may vary for individual players, but the sleeves of each individual player shall be approximately the same length, and no player shall wear ragged, frayed or slit sleeves. f) No player shall attach to his uniform tape or other material of a different colour from his uniform. g) No part of the uniform shall include a pattern that imitates or suggests the shape of a baseball. h) Glass buttons and polished metal shall not be used on a uniform. i) No player shall attach anything to the heel or toe of his shoe other than the ordinary shoe plate or toe plate. Shoes with pointed spikes similar to golf or track shoes shall not be worn. j) No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisements. k) A league may provide that the uniforms of its member teams include the names of its players on their backs. Any name other than the last name of the player must be approved by the League President. If adopted, all uniforms for a team must have the names of its players. |
|
|
Catcher's Mitt (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.04 (1.12 in old rules) The catcher may wear a LEATHER MITT not more than 38in circumference, nor more than 15.5in from top to bottom. Such limits shall include all lacing and any leather band or facing attached to the outer edge of the mitt. The SPACE between THUMB & FINGERS sections of the mitt shall not exceed 6in at the top of the mitt and 4in at the base of the thumb crotch. The WEB shall measure not more than 7in across the top or more than 6in from its top to the base of the thumb crotch. The web may be either a lacing, lacing through leather tunnels, or a centre piece of leather which may be an extension of the palm, connected to the mitt with lacing and constructed so that it will not exceed any of the above mentioned measurements. |
|
|
First Baseman's Glove (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.05 (1.13 in old rules) The first baseman may wear a LEATHER GLOVE or mitt not more than 13in long from top to bottom and not more than 8in wide across the palm, measured from the base of the thumb crotch to the outer edge of the mitt. The SPACE between THUMB & FINGERS section of the mitt shall not exceed 4in at the top of the mitt and 3.5in at the base of the thumb crotch. The mitt shall be constructed so that this space is permanently fixed and cannot be enlarged, extended, widened, or deepened by the use of any materials or process whatsoever. The WEB of the mitt shall measure not more than 5in from its top to the base of the thumb crotch. The web may be either a lacing, lacing through leather tunnels, or a centre piece of leather which may be an extension of the palm connected to the mitt with lacing and constructed so that it will not exceed the above mentioned measurements. The webbing shall not be constructed of wound or wrapped lacing or deepened to make a net type of trap. The glove may be of any weight. |
|
|
Fielding Gloves (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.06 (1.14 in old rules) Each fielder, other than the catcher, may use or wear a leather glove. The measurements covering size of glove shall be made by measuring front side or ball receiving side of glove. The tool or measuring tape shall be placed to contact the surface or feature of item being measured and follow all contours in the process. The GLOVE shall not measure more than 13in from the tip of any one of the 4 fingers, through the ball pocket to the bottom edge or heel of glove. The glove shall not measure more than 7 3/4 inches wide, measured from the inside seam at base of first finger, along base of other fingers, to the outside edge of little finger edge of glove. The space or area between the thumb and first finger, called crotch, may be filled with leather webbing or back stop. The webbing may be constructed of two plies of standard leather to close the crotch area entirely, or it may be constructed of a series of tunnels made of leather, or a series of panels of leather, or of lacing leather thongs. The webbing may not be constructed of wound or wrapped lacing to make a net type of trap. When webbing is made to cover entire crotch area, the webbing can be constructed so as to be flexible. When constructed of a series of sections, they must be joined together. These sections may not be so constructed to allow depression to be developed by curvatures in the section sides. The webbing shall be made to control the size of the crotch opening. The crotch opening shall measure not more than 4.5in at the top, not more than 5 3⁄4 in deep, and shall be 3.5in wide at its bottom. The opening of the crotch shall not be more than 4.5in at any point below its top. The webbing shall be secured at each side, and at top and bottom of crotch. The attachment is to be made with leather lacing, these connections to be secured. If they stretch or become loose, they shall be adjusted to their proper condition. The glove can be of any weight. |
|
|
Pitcher's Glove (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.07 (1.15 in old rules) a) The pitcher's glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, grey, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner. No fielder, regardless of position, may use a fielding glove that falls within a PANTONE® colour set lighter than the current 14-series. b) No pitcher shall attach to his glove any foreign material of a colour different from the glove. c) PENALTY: Glove to be removed from the game, either on his own initiative, at the recommendation of another umpire or upon complaint of the opposing manager that the umpire-in-chief agrees has merit. |
|
|
Helmets (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.08 (1.16 in old rules) a) All players shall use some type of protective helmet while at bat and while running the bases. b) All players in National Association Leagues shall wear a double ear-flap helmet while at bat. c) All Major League players must wear a single ear-flap helmet (or, as above, a double ear-flap helmet). d) All catchers shall wear a catcher's protective helmet and face mask while receiving a pitch. e) All base coaches shall wear a protective helmet while performing their duties. f) All bat/ball boys or girls shall wear a double ear-flap protective helmet while performing their duties. PENALTY: Umpire shall direct the violation to be corrected. If the violation is not corrected within a reasonable time, in the umpire's judgment, the umpire shall eject the offender from the game, and disciplinary action, as appropriate, will be recommended. |
|
|
Undue Commercialization (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.09 (1.17 in old rules) Playing equipment including but not limited to the bases, pitcher's plate, baseball, bats, uniforms, catcher's mitts, first baseman's gloves, infielders' and outfielders' gloves and protective helmets, as detailed in the provisions of this rule, shall not contain any undue commercialization of the product. Designations by the manufacturer on any such equipment must be in good taste as to the size and content of the manufacturer's logo or the brand name of the item. The provisions of this rule shall apply to professional leagues only. |
|
|
Taking Equipment From The Field (Equipment & Uniforms) |
3.10 (3.14 in old rules) Members of the offensive team shall carry all gloves and other equipment off the field and to the dugout while their team is at bat. No equipment shall be left lying on the field, either in fair or foul territory. |
|
|
Layout of the Field (Playing The Field) |
2.01 (1.04 in old rules) The field shall be laid out according to the instructions below. The infield shall be a 90-ft square. The outfield shall be the area between two foul lines formed by extending two sides of the square, as in the diagram. The distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on fair territory shall be 250 feet or more. A distance of 320 feet or more along the foul lines, and 400 feet or more to centre field is preferable. The infield shall be graded so that the base lines and home plate are level. The pitcher’s plate shall be 10 inches above the level of home plate. The degree of slope from a point 6 inches in front of the pitcher’s plate to a point 6 feet toward home plate shall be 1 inch to 1 foot, and such degree of slope shall be uniform. The infield and outfield, including the boundary lines, are fair territory and all other area is foul territory. It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitcher’s plate to second base shall run East-Northeast. It is recommended that the distance from home base to the backstop, and from the base lines to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on foul territory shall be 60 feet or more. When location of home base is determined, with a steel tape measure 127 feet, 33⁄8 inches in desired direction to establish second base. From home base, measure 90 feet toward first base; from second base, measure 90 feet toward first base; the intersection of these lines establishes first base. From home base, measure 90 feet toward third base; from second base, measure 90 feet toward third base; the intersection of these lines establishes third base. The distance between first base and third base is 127 feet, 33⁄8 inches. All measurements from home base shall be taken from the point where the first and third base lines intersect. The catcher’s box, the batters’ boxes, the coaches’ boxes, the three- foot first base lines and the next batter’s boxes shall be laid out as shown in the diagrams. The foul lines and all other playing lines indicated in the diagrams by solid black lines shall be marked with paint or non-toxic and non-burning chalk or other white material.The grass lines and dimensions shown on the diagrams are those used in many fields, but they are not mandatory and each club shall determine the size and shape of the grassed and bare areas of its playing field. NOTE: (a) Any Playing Field constructed by a professional club after June 1, 1958, shall provide a minimum distance of 325 feet from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on the right and left field foul lines, and a mini- mum distance of 400 feet to the centre field fence. (b) No existing playing field shall be remodelled after June 1, 1958, in such manner as to reduce the distance from home base to the foul poles and to the centre field fence below the minimum specified above. |
|
|
Home Base (Playing The Field) |
2.02 (1.05 in old rules) Home base shall be marked by a five-sided slab of whitened rubber.It shall be a 17-inch square with two of the corners removed so thatone edge is 17 inches long, two adjacent sides are 81⁄2 inches andthe remaining two sides are 12 inches and set at an angle to make apoint. It shall be set in the ground with the point at the intersectionof the lines extending from home base to first base and to thirdbase; with the 17-inch edge facing the pitcher’s plate, and the two12-inch edges coinciding with the first and third base lines. The topedges of home base shall be beveled and the base shall be fixed inthe ground level with the ground surface. |
|
|
The Bases (Playing The Field) |
2.03 (1.06 in old rules) First, second and third bases shall be marked by white canvas orrubber-covered bags, securely attached to the ground as indicatedin the Diagram. The first and third base bags shall be entirely withinthe infield. The second base bag shall be centred on second base. The bags shall be 15 inches square, not less than three nor morethan five inches thick, and filled with soft material. |
|
|
The Pitcher's Plate (Playing The Field) |
2.04 (1.07 in old rules) The pitcher’s plate shall be a rectangular slab of whitened rubber,24 inches by 6 inches. It shall be set in the ground as shown in the Diagram. and, so that the distance between the pitcher’s plateand home base (the rear point of home plate) shall be 60 feet, 6inches. |
|
|
Benches (Playing The Field) |
2.05 (1.08 in old rules) The home club shall furnish players’ benches, one each for thehome and visiting teams. Such benches shall not be less thantwenty-five feet from the base lines. They shall be roofed and shallbe enclosed at the back and ends. |
|
|
1.0 Objectives of the Game |
1.01 (1.01 in old rules) Baseball is a game between two teams of nine players each,under direction of a manager, played on an enclosed field in accordancewith these rules, under jurisdiction of one or more umpires. 1.02 (5.04 in old rules) The offensive team’s objective is to have its batter become arunner, and its runners advance. 1.03 (5.05 in old rules) The defensive team’s objective is to prevent offensive players from becoming runners, and to prevent their advance around thebases. 1.04 (5.06 in old rules) When a batter becomes a runner and touches all baseslegally he shall score one run for his team. 1.05 (1.02 in old rules) The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runsthan the opponent. 1.06 (1.03 in old rules) The winner of the game shall be that team which shall havescored, in accordance with these rules, the greater number of runs at theconclusion of a regulation game. |
|
|
Umpire Duties (Game Preliminaries) |
4.01 (3.01 in old rules) a) Require strict observance of all rules governing implements ofplay and equipment of players; b) Be sure that all playing lines are marked with lime, chalk or other white materialeasily distinguishable from the ground or grass; c) Receive from the home club a supply of regulation baseballs,the number and make to be certified to the home club by theLeague President. The umpire shall inspect the baseballs andensure they are regulation baseballs and that they are properlyrubbed so that the gloss is removed. The umpire shall be thesole judge of the fitness of the balls to be used in the game; d) Be assured by the home club that at least one dozen regulationreserve balls are immediately available for use if required; e) Have in his possession at least two alternate balls and shallrequire replenishment of such supply of alternate balls asneeded throughout the game. Such alternate balls shall be putin play when: (1) A ball has been batted out of the playing field or into thespectator area; (2) A ball has become discoloured or unfit for further use;(3) The pitcher requests such alternate ball. **The umpireshall not give an alternate ball to the pitcher until play hasended and the previously used ball is dead. After a thrown orbatted ball goes out of the playing field, play shall not beresumed with an alternate ball until the runners have reachedthe bases to which they are entitled. After a home run is hit outof the playing grounds, the umpire shall not deliver a new ballto the pitcher or the catcher until the batter hitting the home runhas crossed the plate. f ) Ensure that an official rosin bag is placed on the ground behindthe pitcher’s plate prior to the start of each game. g) (4.14 in old rules) The umpire-in-chief shall order the playing field lightsturned on whenever in his opinion darkness makes further playin daylight hazardous. |
|
|
Field Manager (Game Preliminaries) |
4.02 (2.00 in old rules) a) The club shall designate the manager to the League Presidentor the umpire-in-chief not less than thirty minutes before thescheduled starting time of the game. b) The manager may advise the umpire-in-chief that he has dele-gated specific duties prescribed by the rules to a player orcoach, and any action of such designated representative shallbe official. The manager shall always be responsible for histeam’s conduct, observance of the official rules, and deferenceto the umpires. c) If a manager leaves the field, he shall designate a player orcoach as his substitute, and such substitute manager shall havethe duties, rights and responsibilities of the manager. If themanager fails or refuses to designate his substitute before leaving, the umpire-in-chief shall designate a team member as substitute manager. |
|
|
Exchange of Lineup Cards (Game Preliminaries) |
4.03 (4.01 in old rules) Unless the home club shall have given previous notice that thegame has been postponed or will be delayed in starting, the umpire,or umpires, shall enter the playing field five minutes before thehour set for the game to begin and proceed directly to home basewhere they shall be met by the managers of the opposing teams. Insequence: a) First, the home manager, or his designee, shall give his battingorder to the umpire-in-chief, in duplicate. b) Next, the visiting manager, or his designee, shall give his batting order to the umpire-in-chief, in duplicate. c) As a courtesy, each lineup card presented to the umpire-in-chief should list the fielding positions to be played by each player in the batting order. If a designated hitter is to be used,the lineup card shall designate which hitter is to be the designated hitter. As a courtesy,potential substitute players should also be listed, but the failureto list a potential substitute player shall not make such potentialsubstitute player ineligible to enter the game. d) The umpire-in-chief shall make certain that the original andcopies of the respective batting orders are identical, and thentender a copy of each batting order to the opposing manager.The copy retained by the umpire shall be the official battingorder. The tender of the batting order by the umpire shall establish the batting orders. Thereafter, no substitutions shall bemade by either manager, except as provided in the rules. e) As soon as the home team’s batting order is handed to theumpire-in-chief the umpires are in charge of the playing fieldand from that moment the umpire-in-chief shall have soleauthority to determine when a game shall be called, suspendedor resumed on account of weather or the condition of the playing field. The umpire-in-chief shall not call the game until atleast 30 minutes after he has suspended play. The umpire-in-chief may continue the suspension so long as he believes thereis any chance to resume play. **Obvious errors inthe batting order, which are noticed by the umpire-in-chiefbefore he calls “Play” for the start of the game, should becalled to the attention of the manager or captain of the team inerror, so the correction can be made before the game starts. Forexample, if a manager has inadvertently listed only eight menin the batting order, or has listed two players with the same lastname but without an identifying initial and the errors arenoticed by the umpire before he calls “play,” he shall causesuch error or errors to be corrected before he calls “play” tostart the game. Teams should not be “trapped” later by somemistake that obviously was inadvertent and which can be corrected before the game starts. The umpire-in-chief shall at all times try to complete a game.His authority to resume play following one or more suspensions of as much as 30 minutes each shall be absolute and heshall terminate a game only when there appears to be no possibility of completing it. The Major Leagues have determined that this Rule does not apply to any Wild Card, Division Series,League Championship Series or World Series games or for anyadditional Major League championship season game played tobreak a tie. |
|
|
Weather & Field Conditions (Game Preliminaries) |
4.04 (3.10 in old rules)
a) The home team shall be the sole judge as to whether a gameshall not be started because of unsuitable weather conditions orthe unfit condition of the playing field, except for the secondgame of a doubleheader. EXCEPTION: Any league may permanently authorize itspresident to suspend the application of this rule as to thatleague during the closing weeks of its championship sea-son in order to assure that the championship is decidedeach year on its merits. When the postponement of, andpossible failure to play, a game in the final series of achampionship season between any two teams mightaffect the final standing of any club in the league, thepresident, on appeal from any league club, may assumethe authority granted the home team by this rule. b) The umpire-in-chief of the first game shall be the sole judge asto whether the second game of a doubleheader shall not bestarted because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfitcondition of the playing field. c) A postponed game shall be a “No Game” and shall be treated inthe same manner as a game called before it has become a regulation game within the meaning of Rule 7.01(e). |
|
|
Special Ground Rules (Game Preliminaries) |
4.05 (3.13 in old rules) The manager of the home team shall present to the umpire-in-chief and the opposing manager any ground rules he thinks necessary covering the overflow of spectators upon the playing field, battedor thrown balls into such overflow, or any other contingencies. Ifthese rules are acceptable to the opposing manager they shall belegal. If these rules are unacceptable to the opposing manager, theumpire-in-chief shall make and enforce any special ground rules hethinks are made necessary by ground conditions, which shall notconflict with the official playing rules. |
|
|
No Fraternization (Game Preliminaries) |
4.06 (3.09 in old rules) Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators, norsit in the stands before, during, or after a game. No manager, coachor player shall address any spectator before or during a game.Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while inuniform. |
|
|
Security (Game Preliminaries) |
4.07 a) (3.15 in old rules) No person shall be allowed on the playing field during agame except players and coaches in uniform, managers, newsphotographers authorized by the home team, umpires, officersof the law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of thehome club.
b) (3.18 in old rules) The home team shall provide police protection sufficientto preserve order. If a person, or persons, enter the playing fieldduring a game and interfere in any way with the play, the visit-ing team may refuse to play until the field is cleared. PENALTY: If the field is not cleared in a reasonablelength of time, which shall in no case be less than 15 minutes after the visiting team’s refusal to play, the umpire-in-chief may forfeit the game to the visiting team. |
|
|
Double Headers (Game Preliminaries) |
4.08 (4.13 in old rules) a) (1) Only two championship games shall be played on one date. Completion of a suspended game shall not violate this rule. a) (2) If two games are scheduled to be played for one admissionon one date, the first game shall be the regularly scheduledgame for that date. b) After the start of the first game of a doubleheader, that gameshall be completed before the second game of the doubleheadershall begin. c) The second game of a doubleheader shall start twenty minutesafter the first game is completed, unless a longer interval (notto exceed thirty minutes) is declared by the umpire-in-chief andannounced to the opposing managers at the end of the firstgame. **EXCEPTION: If the League President has approved arequest of the home club for a longer interval betweengames for some special event, the umpire-in-chief shalldeclare such longer interval and announce it to the opposing managers. The umpire-in-chief of the first game shallbe the timekeeper controlling the interval between games. d) The umpire shall start the second game of a doubleheader, if atall possible, and play shall continue as long as ground conditions, local time restrictions, or weather permit. e) When a regularly scheduled doubleheader is delayed in startingfor any cause, any game that is started is the first game of thedoubleheader. f) When a rescheduled game is part of a doubleheader the rescheduled game shall be the second game, and the first game shall bethe regularly scheduled game for that date. g) (3.11 in old rules) Between games of a doubleheader, or whenever a gameis suspended because of the unfitness of the playing field, theumpire-in-chief shall have control of ground-keepers and assistants for the purpose of making the playing field fit for play. **PENALTY: For violation, the umpire-in-chief may forfeitthe game to the visiting team. |
|
|
Starting The Game (Playing the Game) |
5.01 (4.02, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03 in old rules) a) (4.02 and 5.01) At the time set for beginning the game theplayers of the home team shall take their defensive positions,the first batter of the visiting team shall take his position in thebatter’s box, the umpire-in-chief shall call “Play,” and the gameshall start. b) (5.02) After the umpire calls “Play” the ball is alive and in playand remains alive and in play until for legal cause, or at theumpire’s call of “Time” suspending play, the ball becomes dead. c) (5.03) The pitcher shall deliver the pitch to the batter who mayelect to strike the ball, or who may not offer at it, as he chooses. |
|
|
Fielding Positions (Playing the Game) |
5.02 (4.03 in old rules) When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory. a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. Hemay leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make aplay except that when the batter is being given an intentionalbase on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within thelines of the catcher’s box until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. PENALTY: Balk. b) The pitcher, while in the act of delivering the ball to the batter, shall take his legal position; c) Except the pitcher and the catcher, any fielder may station him-self anywhere in fair territory. |
|
|
Base Coaches (Playing the Game) |
5.03 (4.05 in old rules) a) The team at bat shall station two base coaches on the field during its time at bat, one near first base and one near third base. b) Base coaches shall be limited to two in number and shall (1) bein team uniform, and (2) remain within the coach’s box at alltimes. PENALTY: The offending base coach shall be removedfrom the game, and shall leave the playing field. ** It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to put one footoutside the coach’s box or stand astride or otherwise be slightlyoutside the coaching box lines. Until a batted ball passes acoach, a coach is not permitted to position himself closer tohome plate than the coach’s box nor closer to fair territory thanthe coach’s box. Otherwise, a coach shall not be consideredout of the box unless the opposing manager complains, inwhich case the umpire shall strictly enforce the rule andrequire all coaches (on both teams) to remain in the coach’sbox at all times. It is also common practice for a coach who has a play at hisbase to leave the coach’s box to signal the player to slide,advance or return to a base. This may be allowed if the coachdoes not interfere with the play in any manner. Other thanexchanging equipment, all base coaches shall refrain fromphysically touching base runners, especially when signs arebeing given. |
|
|
BATTING a) Batting Order |
BATTING - 5.04 (6.00 in old rules) Batting Order - 5.04a (6.01 in old rules) 1) (6.01(a)) Each player of the offensive team shall bat inthe order that his name appears in his team’s batting order. 2) (4.04) The batting order shall be followed throughout thegame unless a player is substituted for another. In thatcase the substitute shall take the place of the replacedplayer in the batting order. 3) (6.01(b)) The first batter in each inning after the firstinning shall be the player whose name follows that of thelast player who legally completed his time at bat in thepreceding inning. |
|
|
BATTING b) The Batter's Box |
BATTING - 5.04 (6.00 in old rules) The Batter's Box - 5.04b (6.02 in old rules) 1) The batter shall take his position in the batter’s box promptly when it is his time at bat. 2) The batter shall not leave his position in the batter’s boxafter the pitcher comes to Set Position, or starts hiswindup. PENALTY: If the pitcher pitches, the umpire shall call“Ball” or “Strike,” as the case may be. 3) If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter’s boxduring his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on thebatter. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance.After the penalty, the batter may take his proper positionand the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If thebatter does not take his proper position before threestrikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out. ** Theumpire shall give the batter a reasonable opportunity to take hisproper position in the batter’s box after the umpire has called astrike pursuant to Rule 5.04(b)(3) and before theumpire calls a successive strike pursuant to 5.04(b)(3). |
|
|
BATTING b) The Batter's Box (Comments/Notes) |
The batter leaves the batter’s box at the risk of having a strike delivered and called, unless he requests the umpire to call “Time.”The batter is not at liberty to step in and out of the batter’s boxat will. Once a batter has taken his position in the batter’s box, he shallnot be permitted to step out of the batter’s box in order to usethe resin or the pine tar rag, unless there is a delay in the gameaction or, in the judgment of the umpires, weather conditionswarrant an exception. Umpires will not call “Time” at the request of the batter or anymember of his team once the pitcher has started his windup orhas come to a set position even though the batter claims “dustin his eyes,” “steamed glasses,” “didn’t get the sign” or for anyother cause. Umpires may grant a hitter’s request for “Time” once he is inthe batter’s box, but the umpire should eliminate hitters walk-ing out of the batter’s box without reason. If umpires are notlenient, batters will understand that they are in the batter’s boxand they must remain there until the ball is pitched. The following two paragraphs are additional material for Rule5.04(b)(2) for MajorLeague play only: If pitcher delays once the batter is in his box and the umpirefeels that the delay is not justified he may allow the batter tostep out of the box momentarily. If after the pitcher starts his windup or comes to a “set position” with a runner on, he does not go through with his pitchbecause the batter has inadvertently caused the pitcher tointerrupt his delivery, it shall not be called a balk. Both the pitcher and batter have violated a rule and the umpire shallcall time and both the batter and pitcher start over from“scratch.” Following paragraph for NationalAssociation play (in lieu of the additional two paragraphs,above, that apply to Major League play): If after the pitcher starts his windup or comes to a “set position” with a runner on, he does not go through with his pitchbecause the batter has stepped out of the box, the umpireshall not call a balk. The umpire shall call an automaticstrike if Rule 5.04(b) calls for suchsanction. |
|
|
BATTING b) The Batter's Box 4) (&5) "The Batter's Box Rule" |
5.04b (4) "The Batter's Box Rule" (6.02(d)) (A) The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’sbox throughout the batter’s time at bat, unless one ofthe following exceptions applies, in which case thebatter may leave the batter’s box but not the dirt areasurrounding home plate: (i) The batter swings at a pitch; (ii) An attempted check swing is appealed to abase umpire; (iii) The batter is forced off balance or out of thebatter’s box by a pitch; (iv) A member of either team requests and isgranted “Time”; (v) A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base; (vi) The batter feints a bunt; (vii) A wild pitch or passed ball occurs; (viii) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitchingmound after receiving the ball; or (ix) The catcher leaves the catcher’s box to givedefensive signals. *If the batter intentionally leaves the batter’s box and delays play,and none of the exceptions listed in this rule applies, the umpire shall issuea warning to the batter for the batter’s first violation of this Rule ina game. For a batter’s second or subsequent violations of this Rulein a game, the League President may issue an appropriate discipline. (B) The batter may leave the batter’s box and the dirtarea surrounding home plate when “Time” is calledfor the purpose or as a result of (i) an injury or potential injury; (ii) making a substitution; or (iii) a conference by either team. *Umpiresshall encourage the on-deck batter to take a position in the batter’s box quickly after the previous batter reaches base or is putout. **APPROVED RULING: The lines defining the box are withinthe batter’s box. |
|
|
BATTING c) Completing the Time At Bat |
BATTING - 5.04 (6.00 in old rules) 5.04c) (6.04) Completing the At Bat A batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out orbecomes a runner. |
|
|
When The Batter Becomes A Runner (A) |
5.05a (6.09 in old rules) a) The batter becomes a runner when: (1) He hits a fair ball; (*If the batter hits a pitch that touches the ground first, the ensuing actionshall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.) (2) The third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base isoccupied with two out; (*A batterwho does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught,and who is not in the process of running to first base, shall bedeclared out once he leaves the dirt circle surrounding homeplate. (3) If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through thestrike zone it is a “ball.” If such a pitch touches the batter,he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at sucha pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for thepurposes of Rule 5.05(b) and 5.09(a)(3). (4) A fair ball, after having passed a fielder other than thepitcher, or after having been touched by a fielder, including the pitcher, shall touch an umpire or runner on fairterritory; (5) A fair ball passes over a fence or into the stands at a distance from home base of 250 feet or more. Such hit entitles the batter to a home run when he shall have touchedall bases legally. A fair fly ball that passes out of the playing field at a point less than 250 feet from home baseshall entitle the batter to advance to second base only; (6) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into thestands, or passes through, over or under a fence, orthrough or under a scoreboard, or through or undershrubbery, or vines on the fence, in which case the batterand the runners shall be entitled to advance two bases; (7) Any fair ball which, either before or after touching theground, passes through or under a fence, or through orunder a scoreboard, or through any opening in the fenceor scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines onthe fence, or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard, inwhich case the batter and the runners shall be entitled totwo bases; (8) Any bounding fair ball is deflected by the fielder into thestands, or over or under a fence on fair or foul territory, inwhich case the batter and all runners shall be entitled toadvance two bases; (9) Any fair fly ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands,or over the fence into foul territory, in which case the batter shall be entitled to advance to second base; but ifdeflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory,the batter shall be entitled to a home run. However,should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 250feet from home plate, the batter shall be entitled to twobases only.
|
|
|
When The Batter Becomes A Runner (B) |
5.05b (6.08 in old rules) (b) The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first basewithout liability to be put out (provided he advances to andtouches first base) when: (1) Four “balls” have been called by the umpire; *A batterwho is entitled to first base because of a base on balls must goto first base and touch the base before other base runners areforced to advance. This applies when bases are full and applieswhen a substitute runner is put into the game. If, in advancing, the base runner thinks there is a play and heslides past the base before or after touching it he may be putout by the fielder tagging him. If he fails to touch the base to which he is entitled and attempts to advance beyond that basehe may be put out by tagging him or the base he missed. (2) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempt-ing to hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when ittouches the batter, or (B) The batter makes no attempt toavoid being touched by the ball; If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter,it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries toavoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone whenit touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makesno attempt to avoid being touched. * APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by apitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, theball is dead and no runner may advance. (3) The catcher or any fielder interferes with him. If a playfollows the interference, the manager of the offence mayadvise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such election shallbe made immediately at the end of the play. However, ifthe batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base onballs, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runnersadvance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference. ** Ifcatcher’s interference is called with a play in progress theumpire will allow the play to continue because the managermay elect to take the play. If the batter-runner missed first base,or a runner misses his next base, he shall be considered as having reached the base. **Examples of plays the manager might elect to take: 1. Runner on third, one out, batter hits fly ball to the outfield on which the runner scores but catcher’s interference was called. The offensive manager may elect totake the run and have batter called out or have runnerremain at third and batter awarded first base. 2. Runner on second base. Catcher interferes with batter ashe bunts ball fairly sending runner to third base. Themanager may rather have runner on third base with anout on the play than have runners on second and first. If a runner is trying to score by a steal or squeeze from thirdbase, note the additional penalty set forth in Rule 6.01(g). If the catcher interferes with the batter before the pitcher delivers the ball, it shall not be considered interference on the batterunder Rule 5.05(i)(3). In such cases, the umpireshall call “Time” and the pitcher and batter start over from“scratch.” (4) A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territorybefore touching a fielder. (d) If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed afielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder,including the pitcher, the ball is in play. |
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES *) Occupying the Base |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) *5.06a (7.01) (1) A runner acquires the right to an unoccupied base when he touches it before he is out. He is then entitled to it until he is put out, or forced to vacate it for another runner legally entitled to that base. **If a runner legally acquires title to a base, and the pitcher assumes his pitching position, the runner may not return to a previously occupied base. (2) (7.03(a)) Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base,the following runner shall be out when tagged and the preceding runner is entitled to the base, unless Rule5.06(b)(2) applies. |
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES *) Advancing Bases (1 of 5) |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) *5.06b [1) - 7.02, 2) - 7.03b)] (1) In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, he shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is deadunder any provision of Rule 5.06(c). In suchcases, the runner may go directly to his original base. (2) If a runner is forced to advance by reason of thebatter becoming a runner and two runners are touching abase to which the following runner is forced, the following runner is entitled to the base and the preceding runnershall be out when tagged or when a fielder possesses theball and touches the base to which such preceding runneris forced. |
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES *) Advancing Bases (2 of 5) |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) *5.06b [3) - 7.04] (3) Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when: (A) There is a balk; (B) The batter’s advance without liability to be putout forces the runner to vacate his base, or whenthe batter hits a fair ball that touches another runner or the umpire before such ball has beentouched by, or has passed a fielder, if the runner isforced to advance; *Comment): A runner forced to advance without liability to be put out mayadvance past the base to which he is entitled only at his peril. Ifsuch a runner, forced to advance, is put out for the third outbefore a preceding runner, also forced to advance, toucheshome plate, the run shall score. (C) A fielder, after catching a fly ball, steps or fallsinto any out-of-play area. If afielder, after having made a legal catch, should step or fall intoany out-of-play area, the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base, without liability to be put out, from his lastlegally touched base at the time the fielder entered such out-of-play area. (D) While he is attempting to steal a base, the batteris interfered with by the catcher or any otherfielder. If the runner fails to touch the baseto which he is entitled before attempting to advance to thenext base, the runner shall forfeit his exemption from liability to be put out, and he may be put out by tagging thebase or by tagging the runner before he returns to themissed base; (E) A fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball withhis cap, mask or any part of his uniform detachedfrom its proper place on his person. The ball is inplay, and the award is made from the position ofthe runner at the time the ball was touched. |
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES *) Advancing Bases (3 of 5) |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) *5.06b [4) - 7.05] 4) A-C (3-4 bases) (4) Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance: (A) To home base, scoring a run, if a fair ball goes outof the playing field in flight and he touched allbases legally; or if a fair ball which, in theumpire’s judgment, would have gone out of theplaying field in flight, is deflected by the act of afielder in throwing his glove, cap, or any article ofhis apparel; (B) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fairball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniformdetached from its proper place on his person. Theball is in play and the batter may advance to homebase at his peril; (C) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws hisglove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at hisperil;
|
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES *) Advancing Bases (4 of 5) |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) *5.06b [4) - 7.05] 4) D-G (2 bases) (D) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a thrown ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play; (E) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a thrown ball. The ball is in play; **In applying (B-C-D-E) the umpire must rule that the thrown glove or detached cap or mask has touched the ball. There is no penalty if the ball is not touched. This penalty shall not be invoked against a fielder whose glove is carried off his hand by the force of a batted or thrown ball, or when his glove flies off his hand as he makes an obvious effort to make a legitimate catch.
(F) Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflectedinto the stands outside the first or third base foullines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, orthrough or under a scoreboard, or through or undershrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks insuch fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines; (G) Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, orinto a bench (whether or not the ball reboundsinto the field), or over or under or through a fieldfence, or on a slanting part of the screen above thebackstop, or remains in the meshes of a wirescreen protecting spectators. The ball is dead.When such a wild throw is the first play by aninfielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases,shall be governed by the position of the runners atthe time the ball was pitched; in all other cases theumpire shall be governed by the position of therunners at the time the wild throw was made; *If all runners, including the batter-runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after thepitch, the award shall be governed by the position of therunners when the wild throw was made. |
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES *) Advancing Bases (5 of 5) |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) *5.06b [4) - 7.05] 4) H-I (1 base) (H) One base, if a ball, pitched to the batter, or thrown by the pitcher from his position on the pitcher’s plate to a base to catch a runner, goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop. The ball is dead; **When a wild pitch or passed ballgoes through or by the catcher, or deflects off the catcher,and goes directly into the dugout, stands, above thebreak, or any area where the ball is dead, the awarding ofbases shall be one base. One base shall also be awarded ifthe pitcher while in contact with the rubber, throws to abase, and the throw goes directly into the stands or intoany area where the ball is dead. If, however, the pitched or thrown ball goes through or bythe catcher or through the fielder, and remains on theplaying field, and is subsequently kicked or deflectedinto the dugout, stands or other area where the ball isdead, the awarding of bases shall be two bases from position of runners at the time of the pitch or throw. (I) One base, if the batter becomes a runner on Ball Four or Strike Three, when the pitch passes the catcher and lodges in the umpire’s mask or paraphernalia. If the batter becomes a runner on a wild pitch which entitles the runners to advance one base, the batter-runner shall be entitled to first base only. *The facta runner is awarded a base or bases without liability to be putout does not relieve him of the responsibility to touch the basehe is awarded and all intervening bases. For example: Batterhits a ground ball which an infielder throws into the stands but the batter-runner missed first base. He may be called out onappeal for missing first base after the ball is put in play eventhough he was “awarded” second base. If a runner is forced to return to a base after a catch, he mustretouch his original base even though, because of some groundrule or other rule, he is awarded additional bases. He mayretouch while the ball is dead and the award is then made fromhis original base. |
|
|
RUNNING THE BASES Dead Balls |
5.06 (7.00 in old rules) 5.06c The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when:
(1) A pitched ball touches a batter, or his clothing, whilein his legal batting position; runners, if forced,advance; (2) The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throwattempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runneron a pick-off play; runners may not advance. *NOTE: The interference shall be disregarded if thecatcher’s throw retires the runner. While the ball is dead no player may be put out, no bases may berun and no runs may be scored, except that runners may advanceone or more bases as the result of acts which occurred while theball was alive (such as, but not limited to a balk, an overthrow,interference, or a home run or other fair ball hit out of the playingfield). *Umpireinterference may also occur when an umpire interferes with acatcher returning the ball to the pitcher. (3) A balk is committed; runners advance; (See Penalty 6.02(a)(Penalty 8.05).) (4) A ball is illegally batted; runners return; (5) A foul ball is not caught, in which case runnersreturn to their bases. The umpire-in-chief shall notput the ball in play until all runners haveretouched their bases; (6) A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fairterritory before it touches an infielder includingthe pitcher, or touches an umpire before it haspassed an infielder other than the pitcher; runnersadvance, if forced. *If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, noother infielder has a chance to make a play on theball and the ball touches a runner immediatelybehind the infielder that the ball went through, orby, the ball is in play and the umpire shall notdeclare the runner out. If a fair ball touches a runnerafter being deflected by an infielder, the ball is inplay and the umpire shall not declare the runner out; *If a fairball touches an umpire working in the infield after it hasbounded past, or over, the pitcher, it is a dead ball. If a battedball is deflected by a fielder in fair territory and hits a runner oran umpire while still in flight and then caught by an infielder itshall not be a catch, but the ball shall remain in play. (7) A pitched ball lodges in the umpire’s or catcher’smask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play,runners advance one base; *If a foultip hits the umpire and is caught by a fielder on the rebound,the ball is “dead” and the batsman cannot be called out. Thesame shall apply where such foul tip lodges in the umpire’smask or other paraphernalia. If a third strike (not a foul tip) passes the catcher and hits anumpire, the ball is in play. If such ball rebounds and is caughtby a fielder before it touches the ground, the batsman is notout on such a catch, but the ball remains in play and the batsman may be retired at first base, or touched with the ball forthe out. If a pitched ball lodges in the umpire’s or catcher’s mask orparaphernalia, and remains out of play, on the third strike orfourth ball, then the batter is entitled to first base and all runners advance one base. If the count on the batter is less thanthree balls, runners advance one base. (8) Any legal pitch touches a runner trying to score; runnersadvance.
|
|
|
PITCHING Legal Pitching Delivery |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07a (8.01) There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and theSet Position, and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with thepitcher’s plate. *Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not stepquickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quickpitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber,he must drop his hands to his sides. Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign. |
|
|
PITCHING (Legal Pitching Delivery) The Windup Position |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07a (8.01) 5.07a 1) - The Windup Position The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in con-tact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From thisposition any natural movement associated with his delivery ofthe ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from theground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward withhis free foot. When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of hisbody, with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and his other foot free, he will be considered in the WindupPosition. *In theWindup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free” footon the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or offthe side of the rubber. From the Windup Position, the pitcher may: (A) deliver the ball to the batter, or (B) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off arunner, or (C) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his handto his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with hispivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set orstretch position—if he does it is a balk. |
|
|
PITCHING (Legal Pitching Delivery) The Set Position |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07a (8.01) 5.07a 2) - The Set Position Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he standsfacing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and hisother foot in front of, the pitcher’s plate, holding the ball inboth hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop.From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter,throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with hispivot foot. Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may electto make any natural preliminary motion such as that known as“the stretch.” But if he so elects, he shall come to Set Positionbefore delivering the ball to the batter. After assuming SetPosition, any natural motion associated with his delivery of theball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration orinterruption. Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall haveone hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his setposition as defined in Rule 5.07(a)(2) withoutinterruption and in one continuous motion. The pitcher, following his stretch, must (a) hold the ball in bothhands in front of his body and (b) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced. Umpires should watch this closely.Pitchers are constantly attempting to “beat the rule” in theirefforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where the pitcherfails to make a complete “stop” called for in the rules, theumpire should immediately call a “Balk.” With norunners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in theumpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberateeffort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall bedeemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball. |
|
|
PITCHING Warm-up Pitches |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07b (8.03) When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of each inning,or when he relieves another pitcher, he shall be permitted to pitchnot to exceed eight preparatory pitches to his catcher during whichplay shall be suspended. A league by its own action may limit thenumber of preparatory pitches to less than eight preparatorypitches. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than oneminute of time. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without any opportunity to warm up, theumpire-in-chief shall allow him as many pitches as the umpiredeems necessary. |
|
|
PITCHING Pitcher Delays |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07c (8.04) When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball tothe batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each timethe pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shallcall “Ball.” The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of theball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timingstops when the pitcher releases the ball. The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpireshall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, andthat the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obviousdelay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire. |
|
|
PITCHING Throwing To The Bases |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07d (8.01c) At any time during the pitcher’s preliminary movements and untilhis natural pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throwto any base provided he steps directly toward such base beforemaking the throw. *The pitchershall step “ahead of the throw.” A snap throw followed by thestep directly toward the base is a balk. |
|
|
PITCHING Effect of Removing Pivot Foot From Plate |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07e (8.01e) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’splate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes aninfielder and if he makes a wild throw from that position, it shall beconsidered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder. *The pitcher,while off the rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes a wildthrow, such throw is the throw of an infielder and what followsis governed by the rules covering a ball thrown by a fielder. |
|
|
PITCHING Ambidextrous Pitchers |
5.07 (8.00 in old rules) 5.07f (8.01f) A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter andany runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may bedone by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching thepitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the otherhand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inningends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcherincurs an injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands duringan at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, forthe remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he hasswitched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw anypreparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change ofpitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES |
5.08(a) (4.09 in old rules) (a) One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances toand touches first, second, third and home base before three menare put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if the runneradvances to home base during a play in which the thirdout is made (1) by the batter-runner before he touchesfirst base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) bya preceding runner who is declared out because hefailed to touch one of the bases. **A run legallyscored cannot be nullified by subsequent action of the runner,such as but not limited to an effort to return to third base in thebelief that he had left the base before a caught fly ball. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES |
5.08(b) (4.09 in old rules) (b) When the winning run is scored in the last half-inning of a regulation game, or in the last half of an extra inning, as the resultof a base on balls, hit batter or any other play with the basesfull which forces the batter and all other runners to advancewithout liability of being put out, the umpire shall not declarethe game ended until the runner forced to advance from thirdhas touched home base and the batter-runner has touched firstbase. **An exception will be if fans rush onto the field and physically preventthe runner from touching home plate or the batter from touch-ing first base. In such cases, the umpires shall award the runnerthe base because of the obstruction by the fans. PENALTY: If the runner on third refuses to advance toand touch home base in a reasonable time, the umpireshall disallow the run, call out the offending player andorder the game resumed. If, with two out, the batter-runner refuses to advance to and touch first base, theumpire shall disallow the run, call out the offendingplayer, and order the game resumed. If, before two areout, the batter-runner refuses to advance to and touchfirst base, the run shall count, but the offending playershall be called out. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES Example: One out, Jones on second, Smith on first. The batter, Brown, hits safely. Jonesscores. Smith is out on the throw to the plate. Two outs.But Brown missed first base. The ball is thrown to first,an appeal is made, and Brown is out. Three outs. |
A: SinceJones crossed the plate during a play in which the thirdout was made by the batter-runner before he touched firstbase, Jones’ run does not count. APPROVED RULING: No run shall score during a playin which the third out is made by the batter-runner before he touches first base. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES Example: One out, Jones on second, Smith on first,and batter, Brown, hits home run inside the park. Jonesfails to touch third on his way to the plate. Smith andBrown score. The defence holds the ball on third, appealsto umpire, and Jones is out. |
A: Smith’s and Brown’s runscount. APPROVED RULING: Following runners are not affectedby an act of a preceding runner unless two are out. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES Example: Two out, Jones on second, Smithon first and batter, Brown, hits home run inside the park.All three runs cross the plate. But Jones missed thirdbase, and on appeal is declared out. Three outs. |
APPROVED RULING: Smith’sand Brown’s runs are voided. No score on the play. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES Example: One out, Jones on third, Smith onsecond. Batter Brown flies out to centre. Two out. Jonesscores after catch and Smith scores on bad throw to plate.But Jones, on appeal, is adjudged to have left third beforethe catch and is out. |
A: Three outs, no runs. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES Example: Two out, bases full, batter hitshome run over fence. Batter, on appeal, is declared outfor missing first base. |
A: Three outs, no runs count. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES - General Statement |
When a runner misses a base and a fielder holds the ballon a missed base, or on the base originally occupied bythe runner if a fly ball is caught, and appeals for theumpire’s decision, the runner is out when the umpire sustains the appeal; all runners may score if possible, exceptthat with two out the runner is out at the moment he misses the bag, if an appeal is sustained as applied to thefollowing runners. |
|
|
HOW A TEAM SCORES Example: One out, Jones on third, Smith onfirst, and Brown flies out to right field. Two outs. Jonestags up and scores after the catch. Smith attempted toreturn to first but the right fielder’s throw beat him to thebase. |
A: Three outs, but Jones scored before the throw tocatch Smith reached first base, hence Jones’ run counts.It was not a force play. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT Retiring the Batter on a catch |
5.09(a) (6.05 in old rules) A batter is out when: (1) His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder; A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his handor glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he doesnot use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform ingetting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously orimmediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with aplayer, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches afly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or anumpire and then is caught by another defensive player. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that hisrelease of the ball is voluntary and intentional. If the fielder hasmade the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making athrow following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have beencaught. **A fieldermay reach into, but not step into, a dugout to make a catch, andif he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. A fielder, inorder to make a catch on a foul ball nearing a dugout or otherout-of-play area (such as the stands), must have one or bothfeet on or over the playing surface (including the lip of thedugout) and neither foot on the ground inside the dugout or inany other out-of-play area. Ball is in play, unless the fielder,after making a legal catch, steps or falls into a dugout or otherout-of-play area, in which case the ball is dead. Status of runners shall be as described in Rule 5.06(b) *Catch Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held byany fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielderbefore it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases theinstant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reachover a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to makea catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may bein foul ground. No interference should be allowed when afielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand tocatch a ball. He does so at his own risk. If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is“held up” and kept from an apparent fall by a player or playersof either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT 3rd Strike |
5.09(a) (6.05 in old rules) (2) A batter is out when the third strike is legally caught by the Catcher. “Legallycaught” means in the catcher’s glove before the ball touchesthe ground. It is not legal if the ball lodges in his clothing orparaphernalia; or if it touches the umpire and is caught by thecatcher on the rebound. If a foul tip first strikes the catcher’s glove and then goes onthrough and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if thirdstrike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector,it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher’s glove or handfirst. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring the Batter Abbreviated List (1-7) |
5.09(a) (6.05 in old rules) A batter is out when: (1) His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder; (2) The third strike is legally caught by the Catcher. (3) A third strike is not caught by the catcher when first baseis occupied before two are out; (4) He bunts foul on third strike; (5) An Infield Fly is declared; (6) He attempts to hit a third strike and the ball touches him; (7) His fair ball touches him before touching a fielder. If thebatter is in a legal position in the batter’s box, see Rule5.04(b)(5), and, in the umpire’s judgment,there was no intention to interfere with the course of theball, a batted ball that strikes the batter or his bat shall beruled a foul ball; |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring the Batter Abbreviated List (8) |
5.09(a) (6.05 in old rules) A batter is out when: (8) After hitting or bunting a fair ball, his bat hits the ball asecond time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. If the batter-runner drops his bat andthe ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in theumpire’s judgment, there was no intention to interferewith the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play. Ifthe batter is in a legal position in the batter’s box, seeRule 5.04(b)(5), and, in the umpire’s judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the courseof the ball, a batted ball that strikes the batter or his batshall be ruled a foul ball; **If a batbreaks and part of it is in fair territory and is hit by a batted ballor part of it hits a runner or fielder, play shall continue and nointerference called. If a batted ball hits part of a broken bat infoul territory, it is a foul ball. If a whole bat is thrown into fair or foul territory and interfereswith a defensive player attempting to make a play, interferenceshall be called, whether intentional or not. In cases where the batting helmet is accidentally hit with a batted ball on or over fair territory or a thrown ball, the ballremains in play the same as if it has not hit the helmet. If a batted ball strikes a batting helmet or any other object foreign to the natural ground while on foul territory, it is a foulball and the ball is dead. If, in the umpire’s judgment, there is intent on the part of abaserunner to interfere with a batted or thrown ball by dropping the helmet or throwing it at the ball, then the runner wouldbe out, the ball dead and runners would return to last baselegally touched. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring the Batter Abbreviated List (9-11) |
5.09(a) (6.05 in old rules) A batter is out when: (9) After hitting or bunting a ball that continues to move overfoul territory, he intentionally deflects the course of theball in any manner while running to first base. The ball isdead and no runners may advance; (10) After a third strike or after he hits a fair ball, he or firstbase is tagged before he touches first base; (11) In running the last half of the distance from home base tofirst base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, heruns outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside(to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgmentin so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw atfirst base, in which case the ball is dead; except that hemay run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line orinside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielderattempting to field a batted ball; **Thelines marking the three-foot lane are a part of that lane and abatter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-footlane or on the lines marking the lane. The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride,reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the solepurpose of touching first base. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring the Batter Abbreviated List (12-15) |
5.09(a) (6.05 in old rules) A batter is out when: (12) An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or linedrive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first,second and third base occupied before two are out. Theball is dead and runner or runners shall return to theiroriginal base or bases; *APPROVED RULING: In this situation, the batter is notout if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched tothe ground, except when the Infield Fly rule applies. (13) A preceding runner shall, in the umpire’s judgment,intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting tocatch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt tocomplete any play; **Theobjective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner inleaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing thepivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base.Obviously this is an umpire’s judgment play. (See Rule6.01(j).) (14) With two out, a runner on third base, and two strikes onthe batter, the runner attempts to steal home base on alegal pitch and the ball touches the runner in the batter’sstrike zone. The umpire shall call “Strike Three,” the batter is out and the run shall not count; before two are out,the umpire shall call “Strike Three,” the ball is dead, andthe run counts; (15) A member of his team (other than a runner) hinders afielder’s attempt to catch or field a batted ball. See Rule6.01(b). For interference by a runner, seeRule 5.09(b)(3) |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a Runner Abbreviated List (1-13) |
5.09(b) (7.08 in old rules) Any runner is out when: 1) He runs more than three feet away from his base path toavoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s basepath is established when the tag attempt occurs and is astraight line from the runner to the base he is attemptingto reach safely; or (2) after touching first base, he leaves the base path, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base; (3) He intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders afielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball (seeRule 6.01(j)); (4) He is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base. (5) He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball islegally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by afielder. He shall not be called out for failure to retouch hisbase after the first following pitch, or any play orattempted play. This is an appeal play; (6) He or the next base is tagged before he touches the nextbase, after he has been forced to advance by reason of thebatter becoming a runner. However, if a following runneris put out on a force play, the force is removed and therunner must be tagged to be put out. The force is removedas soon as the runner touches the base to which he isforced to advance, and if he overslides or overruns thebase, the runner must be tagged to be put out. However, ifthe forced runner, after touching the next base, retreatsfor any reason towards the base he had last occupied, theforce play is reinstated, and he can again be put out if thedefence tags the base to which he is forced; (7) He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ballhas touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead andno runner may score, nor runners advance, except runnersforced to advance. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touchinghis base when touched by an Infield Fly, he is not out,although the batter is out; If a runner is touched by an Infield Fly when he is nottouching his base, both the runner and batter are out. (8) He attempts to score on a play in which the batter interfereswith the play at home base before two are out. With twoout, the interference puts the batter out and no score counts; (9) He passes a preceding runner before such runner is out; (10) After he has acquired legal possession of a base, he runsthe bases in reverse order for the purpose of confusing thedefence or making a travesty of the game. The umpireshall immediately call “Time” and declare the runner out; (11) He fails to return at once to first base after overrunning oroversliding that base. If he attempts to run to second he isout when tagged. If, after overrunning or oversliding firstbase he starts toward the dugout, or toward his position,and fails to return to first base at once, he is out, onappeal, when he or the base is tagged; (12) In running or sliding for home base, he fails to touchhome base and makes no attempt to return to the base,when a fielder holds the ball in his hand, while touchinghome base, and appeals to the umpire for the decision; (13) A play on him is being made and a member of his team(other than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt to field athrown ball. See Rule 5.09(b)(3). |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a Runner 5.09(b) - 1) & 2) |
Any runner is out when: (1) He runs more than three feet away from his base path toavoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s basepath is established when the tag attempt occurs and is astraight line from the runner to the base he is attemptingto reach safely; or (2) after touching first base, he leaves the base path, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base; Comment 1) & 2):Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the base pathheading for his dugout or his position believing that there is nofurther play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the actof the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run thebases. Even though an out is called, the ball remains in play inregard to any other runner. This rule also covers the following and similar plays: Less thantwo out, score tied last of ninth inning, runner on first, batterhits a ball out of park for winning run, the runner on firstpasses second and thinking the home run automatically winsthe game, cuts across diamond toward his bench as batter-runner circles bases. In this case, the base runner would be calledout “for abandoning his effort to touch the next base” and batter-runner permitted to continue around bases to make hishome run valid. If there are two out, home run would notcount. See Rule 5.09(d). This is not an appealplay. PLAY—Runner believing he is called out on a tag at firstor third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by his actions that he isout, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a Runner 5.09(b) - 3) |
Any runner is out when: (3) He intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders afielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball (seeRule 6.01(j)); PENALTY: For penalties applying to a runner's intentional interference with a thrown ball or his hindranceof a fielder’s attempt to make a play on a batted ball, seeRule 6.01(a). |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 4) |
Any runner is out when: (4) He is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base. EXCEPTION: A batter-runner cannot be tagged out afteroverrunning or oversliding first base if he returns immediately to the base; APPROVED RULING: (A) If the impact of a runnerbreaks a base loose from its position, no play can bemade on that runner at that base if he had reached thebase safely. APPROVED RULING: (B) If a base is dislodged from itsposition during a play, any following runner on the sameplay shall be considered as touching or occupying the base if, in the umpire’s judgment, he touches or occupiesthe point marked by the dislodged bag. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 5) |
Any runner is out when: (5) He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball islegally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by afielder. He shall not be called out for failure to retouch hisbase after the first following pitch, or any play orattempted play. This is an appeal play; Rule 5.09(b)(5) Comment: Runnersneed not “tag up” on a foul tip. They may steal on a foul tip. Ifa so-called tip is not caught, it becomes an ordinary foul.Runners then return to their bases. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 6) |
Any runner is out when: (6) He or the next base is tagged before he touches the nextbase, after he has been forced to advance by reason of thebatter becoming a runner. However, if a following runneris put out on a force play, the force is removed and therunner must be tagged to be put out. The force is removedas soon as the runner touches the base to which he isforced to advance, and if he overslides or overruns thebase, the runner must be tagged to be put out. However, ifthe forced runner, after touching the next base, retreatsfor any reason towards the base he had last occupied, theforce play is reinstated, and he can again be put out if thedefence tags the base to which he is forced; Rule 5.09(b)(6) Comment: PLAY—Runner on first and three balls on batter: Runnersteals on the next pitch, which is fourth ball, but afterhaving touched second he overslides or overruns thatbase. Catcher’s throw catches him before he can return.Ruling is that runner is out. (Force out is removed.) Oversliding and overrunning situations arise at basesother than first base. For instance, before two are out,and runners on first and second, or first, second and third,the ball is hit to an infielder who tries for the double play.The runner on first beats the throw to second base butoverslides the base. The relay is made to first base and thebatter-runner is out. The first baseman, seeing the runner at second base off the bag, makes the return throw to second and the runner is tagged off the base. Meanwhile runners have crossed the plate. The question is: Is this aforce play? Was the force removed when the batter-runner was out at first base? Do the runs that crossed theplate during this play and before the third out was madewhen the runner was tagged at second, count? Answer:The runs score. It is not a force play. It is a tag play. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 7) |
Any runner is out when: (7) He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ballhas touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead andno runner may score, nor runners advance, except runnersforced to advance. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touchinghis base when touched by an Infield Fly, he is not out,although the batter is out; Rule 5.09(b)(7) Comment: If tworunners are touched by the same fair ball, only the first one isout because the ball is instantly dead. If a runner is touched by an Infield Fly when he is nottouching his base, both the runner and batter are out. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 8) |
Any runner is out when: (8) He attempts to score on a play in which the batter interfereswith the play at home base before two are out. With twoout, the interference puts the batter out and no score counts; |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 9) |
Any runner is out when: (9) He passes a preceding runner before such runner is out; Rule 5.09(b)(9) Comment: A runner may be deemed to havepassed a preceding (i.e., lead) runner based on his actions orthe actions of a preceding runner. PLAY—Runners on second base and third base with one out.The runner from third base (i.e., the lead runner) makes anadvance toward home and is caught in a rundown betweenthird base and home plate. Believing the lead runner will betagged out, the runner at second base (i.e., the trailing runner)advances to third base. Before being tagged, the lead runnerruns back to and beyond third base toward left field. At thistime, the trailing runner has passed the lead runner as a resultof the lead runner’s actions. As a result, the trailing runner isout and third base is unoccupied. The lead runner is entitled to third base if he returns to touch it before he is out, see Rule5.06(a)(1), unless he is declared out for abandoning thebases. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 10) |
Any runner is out when: (10) After he has acquired legal possession of a base, he runsthe bases in reverse order for the purpose of confusing thedefence or making a travesty of the game. The umpireshall immediately call “Time” and declare the runner out; Rule 5.09(b)(10) Comment: If a runner touches an unoccupied base and then thinks the ball wascaught or is decoyed into returning to the base he last touched,he may be put out running back to that base, but if he reachesthe previously occupied base safely he cannot be put out whilein contact with that base. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 11) |
Any runner is out when: (11) He fails to return at once to first base after overrunning oroversliding that base. If he attempts to run to second he isout when tagged. If, after overrunning or oversliding firstbase he starts toward the dugout, or toward his position,and fails to return to first base at once, he is out, onappeal, when he or the base is tagged; Rule 5.09(b)(11) Comment: Runnerwho touches first base in overrunning and is declared safe bythe umpire has, within the intent of Rule 5.08(a) “reached first base” and any run which scores on such a playcounts, even though the runner subsequently becomes the thirdout for failure to return “at once,” as covered in Rule5.09(b)(11) |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 12) |
Any runner is out when: (12) In running or sliding for home base, he fails to touchhome base and makes no attempt to return to the base,when a fielder holds the ball in his hand, while touchinghome base, and appeals to the umpire for the decision; Rule 5.09(b)(12) Comment: Thisrule applies only where runner is on his way to the bench andthe catcher would be required to chase him. It does not apply tothe ordinary play where the runner misses the plate and thenimmediately makes an effort to touch the plate before beingtagged. In that case, runner must be tagged. |
|
|
MAKING AN OUT - Retiring a runner 5.09(b) - 13) |
Any runner is out when: (13) A play on him is being made and a member of his team(other than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt to field athrown ball. See Rule 5.09(b)(3). For interference by a runner, see Rule 5.09(b)(3). |
