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61 Cards in this Set
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FORCE PLAY Example: Bases loaded, bottom 9th, 0-0. Batter-runner hits line drive & is thrown out at first. 1B then throws to catcher who is touching home plate as ball is caught before runner reaches home. |
A: No force at home, tag not applied, runner is SAFE.Whenever the batter-runner or preceding runner is retired on what otherwise would have been a force play, the force is no longer in effect on subsequent runner and a tag must be placed on the runner to get the out (not just the bag, if it were a force). Typical: Double Play at 1st then 2nd. |
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FOUL BALL Example: Runner on 2nd, bottom 9th, 4-4. Batter hits ball down 3rd base line.. hit chalk, bounced in air passing 3rd base, then bouncing in fair territory before rolling to left field corner. |
A: The ball is FOUL if it was over foul territory while it passed 3rd BASE (which would have been a tricky flight path, but that was the call & technically justified by the rule. If a ball is foul as it passes over 1st or 3rd base then it is a FOUL BALL even if it is in fair territory before or after. ONLY the position of the ball as it passes over the base is relevant. |
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FOUL BALL Example: Runner on 2nd, bottom 9th, 4-4. Batter hits ball down 3rd base line... Ball bounces in foul territory before passing 3rd Base, then spun back into fair territory. |
A: The ball is FAIR if it rolls back into fair territory after reaching 3rd Base. |
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FAIR BALL (Definition) |
A ball that settles in fair territory between Home and 1st Base or Home & 3rd Base or a ball that is in fair territory when bouncing to the outfield. |
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FOUL BALL Example: Runner on 2nd, bottom 9th, 4-4. Batter hits ball down 3rd base line... Batted ball strikes the pitcher's rubber & ricochets into foul territory. No player touched the ball in fair territory. |
A: it's a FOUL BALL if it goes into foul territory before reaching 1st or 3rd Base. Even though the ball would have clearly been fair if it hadn't ht the rubber, it is treated the same as any other ball that rolls from fair territory into foul territory. If the ball rolls out while in the INFIELD = FOUL If the ball rolls out only after 1st/3rd = FAIR |
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FAIR vs FOUL - Simple Example 1 - A batted ball passes 3rd Base on the fly while in fair territory but then hooked foul afterward so the initial bounce was in foul territory. Example 2 - A fielder overruns a fly ball and is standing in foul territory when he makes the catch. |
A 1: The ball is FOUL because the first contact with the ground was past 3rd Base and in foul territory. A 2: The ball is FAIR, the positioning of the fielder is irrelevant. The position of the ball is what matters (& the fact that it was caught!) |
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IN FLIGHT (Definition) |
A batted, thrown or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object OTHER THAN a Fielder. *Birds and Speakers are not considered "objects" for the purposes of the definition. "In Flight" is interpreted to mean only objects that are part of the baseball field (such as the outfield fence), rather than "alien" object such as a bird. |
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CATCH (Definition) |
The act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball that is "in flight" and firmly holding it. If the ball isn't "in flight" (i.e. a bounding ball) then it cannot be a "catch", & therefore cannot be an out. |
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IN FLIGHT Example: Batter hits a long drive to centre field, the CF chased the ball but was unable to reach it. The ball caromed off the wall, struck the CF in the head, and then bounced over the wall. |
A: The batter is awarded 2 bases. Because the ball struck the wall before being deflected off the CF it is considered a "bounding ball" and is treated the same as a Ground Rule Double... because it "first hit an object other than a fielder". IF the CF has caught the ball after it hit the wall it would still be a fair ball and the CF would have to play it as such. |
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IN FLIGHT Example: Batter hits a fly ball to right field that bounces off the top of the RF head before going over the wall. |
A: The batter gets credit for a HOME RUN because it was a "fair fly ball" when it hit the RF (only contact before going over wall). The same result if the ball had hit any other part of the RF body or equipment. IF the ball had bounced off the RF and into foul territory (instead of over the fence for a HR) it would be considered a Ground Rule Double. |
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IN FLIGHT Example: Batter hits a routine fly ball into left field where the ball collided with a bird in flight. Is the ball DEAD or LIVE? |
A: It is a LIVE ball.. if the CF had caught it the batter would have been out. Since that didn't happen he wound up with a double. Birds and Speakers are not considered "objects" for the purposes of the definition for IN FLIGHT (a batted, thrown or pitched ball that has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder). |
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IN FLIGHT Example: Batter hits a towering drive that struck the bottom of a speaker suspended 117ft over CF and 329ft from home plate. |
A: The result would be that the ball is still fair and playable (same as if it hit a bird in flight). **In domed stadiums, batted balls that hit speakers in foul territory are no longer considered "in flight" and are considered to be Foul Balls. |
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IN FLIGHT Example: Batter hits a ball right off the foot of the pitcher and it deflected into the stands. |
A: The result would be an automatic double & all runners advance 2 bases. |
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IN FLIGHT Example: Batter hits a shot deep to Left Field that popped out of the LF glove, bounced off the wall, and landed back in the LF glove where it was secured before the ball ever hits the ground. |
A: Once the ball made contact with the wall it is no longer considered "in flight" and a legal "catch" could not be made... so the ball must be played on. *In 2 examples the batter was called "out" by the umpires as these types plays were not reviewable (at the time?? '07-'09) even though the umpire is far from the play. (**Thinks this is different now than at time of printing) |
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STARTING THE GAME |
A Major League Baseball game cannot start until the Umpire calls "PLAY!" (as opposed to more widely believed "Play Ball!") |
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DETERMINING RAINOUTS |
The Home Team Manager is the sole judge on whether to start a game because of "unsuitable weather conditions". *Unwritten rule: the umpires can make the decision if the game occurs after the All-Star break AND is the final series of the season between two teams. **DOUBLE-HEADERS: If rainout occurs between games of a double header, the umpire-in-chief of the first game can make the decision. |
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REGULATION & SUSPENDED GAMES Example: Home team is batting at the bottom of the sixth when the game is called due to rain. A - 0, 0, 0, 1, 4, 2. H - 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, X. |
A: The away team wins because they were ahead in the score at the end of the last complete inning (5). The final score would be 7-4 Away Team. |
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REGULATION GAME Definition |
(4.10c in old rules?) A called game is a regulation game if 1) 5 innings have been completed; 2) If the home team ha scored more runs in 4 or 4 and a fraction innings than the visiting team has scored in 5 complete half innings; 3) If the home team scores one or more runs in it's half of the 5th inning to tie the score (we may conclude this is a regulation game because it went more than 5 innings). |
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REGULATION & SUSPENDED GAMES Example: Home team is batting at the bottom of the sixth when the game is called due to rain. Line score A - 0, 0, 0, 1, 4, 2 - X - ? H - 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0 - 4 |
A - X should be 7. Game IS a regulation game (5 completed) so the score of a REGULATION GAME is the total number of runs scored by each team at the time the game ends (4.11 in old rules) |
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REGULATION & SUSPENDED GAMES Example: At the top of the 8th the Away Team had a man on 2nd when the rains came & the UMPIRE decided that the game could not be completed that night. A - 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 4 = 8 H - 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, x = 6 a) Home Team wins because they were ahead at the last complete inning; b) Away Team wins because 5 full innings have been played; c) Game should be replayed in it's entirety; d) Game should pick up exactly where it left off; e) The game should pick up as if 7 full innings have been played. |
A: D. The game should resume exactly where it left off. The away team was trailing after 7 complete innings but had taken the lead in the top of the 8th = Suspended Game. *First determine if it was a regulation game or not (4.10c in old rules) - it went more than 5 complete innings, so yes. ** (4.12a) A game becomes a SUSPENDED GAME to be completed at a future date if the game is terminated BY: "Weather, if a regulation game is called while an inning is in progress and before the inning is completed, and the visiting team has scored 1 or more runs to take the lead and the home team has not retaken the lead". It resumes exactly where it left off (4.12c). |
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REGULATION & SUSPENDED GAMES Example: 2008 World Series, game 5 (TB-PHI) Phillies leading 2-1 after 5 complete innings in a rainstorm, umpires decided game could continue. Rays scored a run in top 6th to tie game but umpires decided weather was too inclement to play past top 6th. |
A: Regulation game called with a tied score (4.10d) it becomes a suspended game under rule 4.12. Final innings were played 2 days later with the game picking up exactly where it left off with Phillies batting in the bottom of the 6th... & went on to win (the World Series for only 2nd time in franchise 125yr history). ***Say the top 6th had not been played... under rule 4.10c, since the Phillies were leading 2-1 after 5 complete innings the game would have been considered a regulation game and called there with a Phillies Win. BUT the commissioner of baseball decided (& talked to umps before game, allegedly) that the game would be played to completion no matter what, a World Series game would NOT be decided on a rainout. Judgement Call to "throw the rulebook out" on that particular issue due to the World Series. |
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ADVANCING THE BASES (5.06b) Example: Batter hits a ground ball which an infielder throws into the stands but the batter-runner missed first base. award is then made from his original base. |
He may be called out on appeal for missing first base after the ball is put in play even though he was “awarded” second base. If a runner is forced to return to a base after a catch, he must retouch his original base even though, because of some ground rule or other rule, he is awarded additional bases. He may retouch while the ball is dead and the award is then made from his original base. (5.06b(I)) |
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ADVANCING THE BASES (5.06b) Example: Runner on first base, batter hits a ball to theshortstop, who throws to second base too late to get runner at second, and second baseman throws toward firstbase after batter has crossed first base. |
A: Runner at second scores. On this play, only ifbatter-runner is past first base when throw is made is heawarded third base (5.06b(G)) **Since no runner, when the ball isdead, may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled, the runner originally on first base goes to third baseand the batter is held at second base. The term “when the wild throw was made” means whenthe throw actually left the player’s hand and not when thethrown ball hit the ground, passes a receiving fielder orgoes out of play into the stands.
The position of the batter-runner at the time the wildthrow left the thrower’s hand is the key in deciding theaward of bases. If the batter-runner has not reached firstbase, the award is two bases at the time the pitch wasmade for all runners. The decision as to whether the batter-runner has reached first base before the throw is ajudgment call. If an unusual play arises where a first throw by aninfielder goes into stands or dugout but the batter did notbecome a runner (such as catcher throwing ball intostands in attempt to get runner from third trying to scoreon passed ball or wild pitch) award of two bases shall befrom the position of the runners at the time of the throw.(For the purpose of Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G) acatcher is considered an infielder.) |
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CALLED GAME vs. SUSPENDED GAME |
A game can be "called" due to inclement weather if there have been at least 5 complete innings played (a regulation game) and the home team is ahead at the end of 4th (& maintains lead in 5th) OR the home team scores 1 or more runs to tie at the bottom of the 5th. The scores are as is at the time game is called. A game is "suspended" due to inclement weather if a regulation game is called while an inning is in progress & before the inning is completed, AND the visiting team has scored one or more runs to take the lead, and the home team has not retaken the lead. A suspended game resumes exactly where the original game left off, as if the original game continued. |
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GAME-ENDING SCORING Example: With a tied score (7-7) at the bottom of the ninth with runners on 1st & 2nd and 2 outs, a book-rule double is hit by the batter as it bounces over the right-field fence. |
A: Game is over with a score 8-7 for the home team (even if runner has been on 2nd & 3rd instead) as the game would end immediately when the winning run scores. |
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GAME-ENDING SCORING Example: With a tied score (7-7) at the bottom of the ninth with runners on 1st & 2nd and 2 outs, a Home Run is hit by the batter and in his excitement he passed the man who was on 1st along the base path. Who is credited with what? and what is the final score? |
A: IF the runner scores BEFORE the batter-runner passes the preceding runner on the base path, the game is over & home team wins 8-7. Batter-runner is credited for the last base he legally touched before overtaking preceding runner, despite hitting the HR. **IF the runner scores AFTER the batter-runner passed the preceding runner then that would be the 3rd out of the inning, no run scores, and the game would continue into extra innings. |
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GAME-ENDING SCORING Example: With a tied score (4-4) at the bottom of the 9th and bases loaded, a Home Run is hit by the batter. What is the final score of the game? |
A: The final score is 8-4 for the home team. Under an exception to rule (4.11(c) old rules), when a home run is hit in this situation all the runs would score. |
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SUSPENDED GAMES (Replacing a player) Example: A suspended game (9-5 Yankees vs Indians) is called after the 7th inning after 3x rain delays and eventually rolling past 1:00am. Between games the Indians place a pitcher (used in the game) on the DL and recall another player to take his place. Are they permitted to use this player when the game resumes? |
A: Yes. Rule (4.12 old rules) specifically permits in these circumstances the use of a player who was not with the club when the game started. The player can be used even if the player he's replacing is no longer eligible. ** Game was suspended due to reaching the AL time limit (no inning may start past 1am) rather than weather. If the game was called because of weather it would have been a regulation non-suspended game. (The only exception is if the game called due to weather DURING an inning in which the visiting team has tied the score or taken the lead and the home team has not retaken the lead (4.12(a) old rules). |
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FORFEITS |
Forfeits can be called for a number of reasons: - Unfitness of the playing field (3.11) - Unauthorized persons entering the playing field during a game & not leaving (3.18) - Failing to appear on the field after the Umpire says "Play!" (4.15) - Refusing to continue play during a game (4.15) |
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What is the score of a Forfeited Game? |
A: 9-0 |
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SUSPENDED vs HALTED Games |
A game that has merely been temporarily called due to bad weather, is a "halted game", not a "suspended game". A game that has been suspended does not even resume until just before the next scheduled game between the two clubs (at minimum next day, but possibly weeks/months). |
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Obligation of Groundskeepers to Cover Field |
(4.16 old rules) A game is forfeited to the visitors if, after it has been halted/suspended, the groundskeepers fail to prepare the field to resume play when ordered by the umpires to do so. **By its terms, this rule only applies to Suspended Games. An example from Mets/Nationals game in 2005 when tarp was slowly & poorly placed during rain delay, causing the game to be called. Mets appealed but were denied because the game wasn't "suspended", but merely "halted". (Seems like a dumb rule, Mets had a point IMO). |
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Ball Touching/Hitting Base Coach/Umpire Example: Runner tries to steal 2nd base when the throw from the catcher bounces off the 2nd base Umpire & caromed away. |
Result: The 2nd base Umpire called a "dead ball" as soon as it touched them, meeting of umps, ruling upheld. A: WRONG CALL. (5.08 old rules) If a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball remains alive & in play. Umpires are treated as part of the ground. *If the throw hitting the ump is considered intentional then it's called a "coaches interference" and the runner is called out. |
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UMPIRE'S INTERFERENCE Definition |
section (c) in definition of "interference" provides that an umpires interference occurs when: 1) a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base; or 2) when a fair ball touches an umpire before touching a fielder. *refers to a batted ball, not a thrown ball. (only really applies to 2nd base umpire who positions himself in the infield, while 1st & 3rd base "wing" umpires are always behind the infielders. |
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Ball Hitting Player or Umpire Example: Runners at the corners and batter hits a shot up the middle that hits the 2nd base umpire. |
A: The ball is dead, the batter gets first base and the runner on first advances to second base. *(5.09(f) old rules) The ball becomes dead and the runners advance one base, or return to their bases without liability of being put out when... a fair ball touches a runner or an umpire in fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher ... OR ... touches an umpire before it is passed an infielder other than the pitcher; runners advance, if forced. (just like a walk). |
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Ball Hitting Player or Umpire Example: Runners at the corners and batter hits a shot up the middle that hits the pitcher then ricochets off the pitcher & hits the 2nd base umpire. |
A: The ball remains alive & in play. *Exception to "dead ball" rule (5.09(f) in old rules) |
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Ball Hitting Player or Umpire |
Rule 5.09(f) in old rules states: the ball is dead if it hits an umpire "working in the infield" (meaning, 2nd base umpire). However, the rule does not make specific reference to where the umpire is positioned and only requires that a the ball touch the umpire "before it has passed an infielder". **If a shift is on, and the 2nd baseman is playing in the short outfield, the 2nd base umpire may no longer be "working in the infield" but nevertheless is in front of the 2nd baseman. Presumably rule 5.09(f) applies here too. |
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Ball getting Caught in Mask or Gear Example: Runner on 3rd base and pitcher throws a pitch that gets stuck in the chest protector of the catcher. The batter did not swing at the ball and it wasn't strike 3 or ball 4. |
5.09(g) in old rules When a pitched ball lodges in the catcher's or umpire's mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, the ball becomes dead and the runners advance one base. A: The runner scores from 3rd and the batter-runner advances to 1st. |
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Ball getting Caught in Mask or Gear Example: Runner on 3rd base and pitcher throws a pitch that gets stuck in the gear of the umpire. The batter swings and misses with 2 strikes. Is this a strikeout? |
A: NO (5.09(g)) Even on the 3rd strike, when a pitched ball lodges in the catcher's or umpire's mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, the ball becomes dead and the runners advance one base. **Exception: Foul Tip = Foul Ball in this scenario. |
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POSITIONING OF FIELDERS |
When the ball is put in play all fielders must be positioned entirely in fair territory. **Exception - The Catcher, as the "catcher's box" is entirely in foul territory. |
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THE BATTER Stepping Outside the Batter's Box Example: Batter steps into batter's box for first At Bat, then held up his hand for "time" & stepped out of the batter's box. The pitcher delivered a fastball across the plate and the Home Plate Umpire called "Strike One". Good call? |
A: Yes. (6.02 in old rules) The batter leaves the batter's box at the risk of having a strike delivered and called, unless he requests AND get the Umpire to call "time". The batter cannot step in & out of the batter's box at will. No one other than the Umpire has the right to call "time". The batter may request it but it is not called until the umpire grants the request by calling "time". |
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Batter Request "Time" |
The batter requests time out, but the umpire actually calls it ("time"). Once the pitcher comes set, a batter steps out at the risk of having a pitch called a strike. This rule serves several functions: - keeping up the pace of the game - avoiding intentional delays -*avoiding injury of a pitcher attempting to shut down a pitch while in motion (most important). 6.02(b) - anytime a batter steps out of the box without "time" being called. |
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Any Player Requesting "TIME" Example: Fielder's request for "time" alters the course of the game. Home team is trailing 9-6 at the bottom of the 9th then batter hits a bases-loaded blast. Everyone celebrating a perceived walk-off home run when realized that the 1st base Umpire called "time" granted to the 1st baseman just prior to the pitch. |
(rule 5.10 in old rules = series of events for which the Umpire "shall call time") - only at umpires discretion to call time if any player requests it. (*rule applies to batter but in practice runners ask for & are granted "time" routinely (e.g. right after stealing a base) & it would appear that fielders have the same right. |
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The Batter's Box Example: A game ends without: 1) the pitcher doesn't throw a pitch (so, no walk-off hit, balk, passed ball or wild pitch); 2) there are no base runners (no pickoff, no stealing home, no appeal of base running errors) 3) the game is not forfeit or called due to weather or shortened due to any other reason... How? |
(6.02(c) in old rules) If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter's box, the umpire shall call a strike on him. *Umpire may call automatic strike, the pitcher does not have to actually make a pitch for the strike to be called in this scenario. |
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Third Strike Not Caught By Catcher Example: In 7th inning with 2 out and runners on 2nd and 3rd... batter fouls a pitch on a 3-2 count. The ball lodged in the chest protector of the catcher, who then picked it out. The ball never touched the ground. Strikeout?? |
A: No, it is a foul ball. (6.05(b) in old rules) states that: A batter is out if a third strike is "legally caught" by the catcher. *if the ball lodges in the catcher's clothing or paraphernalia, it's not a legal catch. **if the pitch struck the umpire and then was caught by the catcher the result is the same = foul ball. (5.08 old rules) |
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Third Strike Not Caught By Catcher Example: In 7th inning with 2 out and runners on 2nd and 3rd... batter foul tips a pitch on a 3-2 count. The ball is smothered in the chest protector of the catcher, who then picked it out. The ball never touched the ground. Strikeout?? |
A: It IS a STRIKEOUT IF the ball touched the catcher's hand or mitt before being smothered in the chest protector. (6.05(b) comment). |
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Third Strike Not Caught By Catcher (runner on 1st base, less than 2 outs). Example: Score 3-3 with bases loaded and one out. Batter swings and misses a pitch that got past the catcher. Is the batter out? |
A: Yes. (6.05(c) in old rules) **Is there any purpose in the batter running to 1st base? - yes, if the catcher is unaware of the rule and makes an errant throw to 1st, the other runners could advance. Defence must be aware if the batter-runner is out or not. Batter runs just incase the defence misses the rule. |
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Third Strike Not Caught By Catcher (runner on 1st base, less than 2 outs). Example: Score 3-3 with bases loaded and one out. Batter swings and misses a pitch that got past the catcher. The batter is out, but the runner on 3rd breaks for home then stops halfway, unsure of what he should be doing.... |
A: It is not a "force" so the catcher must throw to 3rd base & tag the runner before the runner can safely return to it to get the out. **6.05(c) ONLY applies with less than 2 outs AND a runner on 1st. Purpose, like infield fly rule, namely to prevent a fielder (catcher in this case) from intentionally dropping the ball with men on base and thus setting up a double-play situation. ----> Without the rule - catcher could have intentionally dropped the ball, retrieved it, stepped on home plate to retire the runner on 3rd (now a force) and then fired down to first to complete the easy double play. |
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Third Strike Not Caught By Catcher (runner on 1st base, less than 2 outs). **Strategy for Catchers** |
Clever catchers, if well aware of this rule, have opportunities to trap unsuspecting base runners, especially in a bases-loaded situation or other "perceived force situations". If the catcher lets the ball roll away a little, the runner on 3rd may think he's forced to run home. if he does, it's NOT a force play and the catcher simply has to tag the runner when he arrives home. |
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BATTER HIT BY PITCH Example: Score is tied 6-6, bottom 10th, bases loaded and 2 outs. Pitcher throws a strike that the batter swings at but is hit by the pitch. |
A: It is the third strike/strikeout, & no different from any other because the batter swung at it, regardless of whether the ball hit him or not & regardless of the count. |
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BATTED BALL STRIKES BAT 2nd TIME Example: With one out and a man on base in the 5th inning, the batter swings at a pitch, hits it to the infield AND breaks his bat - ball & broken bat piece go flying past pitcher. Ball was going to be fielded by the SS but the ball hit the piece of broken bat & was deflected away & the batter-runner reaches 1st base. |
A: He is safe. Batter is not expected to have control over a broken bat. Because a broken bat cannot cause "interference" the ball is ALIVE & IN PLAY. |
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BATTED BALL STRIKES BAT 2nd TIME Example: With one out and a man on base in the 5th inning, the batter swings at a pitch, hits it to the infield AND loses control of his bat - ball & bat go flying past pitcher. Ball was going to be fielded by the SS but the ball hit the flying/bouncing/rolling bat & was deflected away & the batter-runner reaches 1st base. |
A: When the bat hits the ball a 2nd time in fair territory, the batter is OUT due to interference (6.05(h) old rules). The batter is expected to control his whole bat. The ball is DEAD and no runners may advance. Intent is not relevant, he is out regardless. |
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BATTED BALL STRIKES BAT 2nd TIME Example: With one out and a man on base in the 5th inning, the batter swings at a pitch, hits it to the infield AND loses control of his bat or drops it in fair territory on his run to 1st. Ball was going to be fielded by the SS but the ball hit the bat that had rolled to a stop in the infield & was deflected away. The batter-runner reaches 1st base. |
A: There is no interference from the hitter and the ball is ALIVE & IN PLAY... since the ball hit a bat that had come to a complete STOP. |
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BATTED BALL HITS A BATTING HELMET |
A: The ball is ALIVE & IN PLAY and the runners can continue to advance as far as they are able. If the batted ball had hit a batting helmet in foul territory it would be a foul ball. |
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THROWN BALL HITS A BATTING HELMET |
A: The ball is ALIVE & IN PLAY and the runners can continue to advance as far as they are able. |
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TIE GOES TO THE BATTER-RUNNER? |
A: In umpiring there is no such thing as a tie (nor with video replay). "Tie goes to the runner" - but really, there aren't ties and it's a judgement call by the umpires that may or may not have enough evidence to overturn with a video review. |
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FOOT OUTSIDE THE BATTER'S BOX |
A player shall be called out if he swings at a ball while one foot is on the ground and completely outside the batter's box. If it ok if foot is in midair, batter is only out if foot is on the ground and completely outside the box when contact is made with the ball. The chalk line is considered part of the box and batter will often scuff the back line of the box right up to blur the line and give themselves a bit more room. (6.06(a) in old rules). Not a rule invoked very often, but usually on bunt & run plays. |
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FOOT OUTSIDE THE BATTER'S BOX |
Batter's box measure 6x4 ft on either side & back from home plate. The batter must have both feet entirely on the ground within the lines of the box when he assumes his position (& makes contact/hit). No part of either foot may extend beyond the outer edge of the lines defining the box. The position of the batter's box is important to a hitter who wants to stay as far back as possible so as to have an extra split second to react to the pitch... OR... in some cases the batter might want to be as far forward as possible to get an early start on a breaking pitch. |
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SWITCH HITTER/AMBIDEXTROUS PITCHER "Pat Venditte Rule" Pitcher's perspective |
The pitcher must indicate the hand with which he intends to pitch to the Umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners. He may convey this by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher's plate. The pitcher must then continue to throw with the same hand until the batter is retired or reaches base... or if the pitchers suffers an injury (if injury pitcher cannot switch back to that hand for the remainder of the game) (Rule 8.01(f) in old rules). |
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SWITCH HITTER/AMBIDEXTROUS PITCHER "Pat Venditte Rule" Batter's perspective |
A batter is out for "illegal action" if he steps from the batter's box to the other side while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch (6.06(b) in old rules). Compared to.... The batter shall not leave his position in the batter's box after the pitcher comes to his set position or starts his windup (6.02(b) in old rules). PENALTY: the pitcher can pitch & the umpire can call ball or strike as the case may be. If a batter simply steps back out of the box it would invoke 6.02(b) not 6.06(b). However, if he crossed from one side of the plate to the other, it would invoke both rules. The pitcher is free to pitch, but the batter would be out. |
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USING AN ILLEGAL BAT |
Rule (6.06(d) in old rules) prevents the use of any bat that the umpire feels has been altered in any way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball. This includes bats that are filled, hollowed, flat surfaced, nailed, grooved or covered in a substance..." PENALTY: Batter is out & ejected from the game. - all outs made on a play involving an illegal bat will stand. - a batter will be deemed to have attempted to use an illegal bat if he brings it to the batter's box. - If he has not yet brought it to the batter's box (& illegal bat is discovered) then he has not yet used an illegal bat. |
