Baseball Rules

Rule 7 Batting

Batting Out of Order Ask yourself TWO questions Is the improper batter still at bat? If NO, has there been a pitch to a new batter, a play or attempted play, intentional base on balls, or have all infielders crossed the foul line at the end of an inning?

there been a pitch, a play/attempted play, or have all Infielders Batting Out of Order Still at BAT? YES Advances by runners (stolen base, balks, etc.) stand Replace with proper batter NO Has there been a pitch, a play/attempted play, or have all Infielders crossed the foul line? NO YES Player who SHOULD have batted is OUT The last batter is now the proper batter Advances by runners (stolen base, balks, etc.) while Improper batter was at bat stand Any outs (other than improper batter) stand and other runners return The current batter is the one that follows the new “proper” batter on the lineup Current batter is the one following the “proper” batter called out

Batter Interference Watch for interference with catcher on steals With 2 outs, the batter is out With less than 2 out and runner is advancing to home plate If runner is tagged out, ignore the interference and ball remains live If runner is not out, ball is dead and the runner is called out Attempt to put out runner at any other base If runner is out, ignore the interference If runner is not out, Batter is out, all runners return to base occupied at time of pitch Batter is out on strike 3 and interferes Umpire’s Judgment Did the interference prevent additional outs? Two outs may be ruled

Rule 8 Base Running

Appeals What may be appealed? Runner misses a base Runner leaves a base before fly ball is caught. (When can the runner leave?) May leave as soon a the ball is first touched Batting out of order Check Swing

Appeals When are appeals allowed Live Ball Dead Ball Fielder in possession of ball touches base missed or left too soon Fielder tags the runner that committed a violation Dead Ball After runners have completed advancement and time is called With or without the ball A coach or any player Only verbal appeal is required

Appeals When must an appeal be made? Immediately after the play, and… Before the next pitch (legal or illegal) Before an intentional walk Before the next play or attempted play At the end of an inning, before the pitcher and all infielders have left the fair territory On the last play of the game, before the umpires have left the field of play

Appeals Who rules on the appeal? A runner cannot return to touch a base when He has reached a base beyond the missed base or left too soon and the ball becomes dead He has left the playing field A following runner has scored

Appeals Consideration for Force Play or Timing Play Base left too soon Runs may score ahead of upheld appeal for 3rd out Base missed when forced to advance Force Play No runs may score on upheld appeal for 3rd out Base missed when not forced to advance

Appeals Does the defense loose their right to appeal if the offensive initiates a play before the next pitch? Can runners advance during a live ball appeal? Are multiple appeals allowed?

Base Running Awards One Base (Runner) Balk Time of infraction Pitch from pitcher’s plate goes out of play Time of pitch Throw from pitcher’s plate goes out of play Time of throw Unintentional catch and carry Catcher Obstruction, if attempting to advance Time if pitch Forced because Batter is awarded 1st base Pitch strikes a Runner

Base Running Awards One Base (Batter) Walk Time of pitch Pitch thrown out of play on ball four Batter is obstructed (only if infraction is not ignored) Hit by Pitch Runner interference (unintentional) Time if pitch Umpire interference, Runner hit by batted ball Pitch lodges in Defensive Player’s uniform or Umpire’s uniform or equipment on ball four

Base Running Awards Two Bases (Batter and Runners) Fair batter ball bounces over, through, goes under, lodges in or under fence Time of pitch Fair batted ball of thrown ball lodges in defensive Player’s or Umpire’s uniform or equipment Live thrown ball or pitch touched by illegal glove or mitt Time of infraction Award to Batter on a pitch only when he has right to advance to 1B Live thrown ball or pitch touched by detached Player equipment which is thrown, tossed or kicker by a Fielder First throw by an Infielder and ball goes out of play or lodges in or under fence

Base Running Awards Two Bases (Batter and Runners) For any subsequent play by an Infielder or for any throw by on outfielder and ball goes out of play or lodges in or under fence Time of throw Intentional catch and carry Runners only - Time of pitch Three Bases (Batter and Runners) Fair batter ball contacted with detached player equipment or illegal glove/mitt Time of infraction

Base Running Awards Four Bases (Batter and Runners) Fair batted ball over fence in flight Time of pitch Fair batted ball hits foul pole above fence in flight Fair batted ball prevented from going over fence because it is touched by a Spectator Fair batted ball prevented from going over fence because of contact with detached Player equipment to illegal glove/mitt Umpire Judgment (Batter and Runners) Spectator interference Time of infraction Runner(s) obstruction – minimum of one base unless infraction is ignored Defensive malicious contact

Slide Rule LEGAL slide May slide head first or feet first If feet first, at least one leg and buttock must be on the ground Must slide within reach of the base with a hand or foot May slide away from a fielder to avoid contact or altering the play

Slide Rule ILLEGAL slide Rolling, Cross Body or Pop-up slide into the fielder Runner’s leg/foot is raised higher than the fielder’s knee when the fielder is in a standing position Goes beyond the base and then makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder Runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg Runner tries to injure the fielder On a FORCE PLAY, if the runner does not slide on the ground and in a direct line between the bases unless….

Slide Rule FORCE PLAY If a Runner slides, the runner is required to slide in a direct line between the bases into the base…UNLESS The runner slides in a direction AWAY FROM the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder

Slide Rule

Hurdling / Diving over fielder Runner dives over a fielder Illegal Runner is out Ball remains live unless interference is called Jumping, hurdling or leaping to avoid a fielder Legal, if the fielder is lying on the ground Ball is dead immediately Interference is called Other runners return to base occupied at time of pitch

Malicious Contact Safety Rule “Hard” contact is prohibited Applies to Defense and Offense On offense, malicious contact is interference Malicious contact supersedes Obstruction The ball becomes dead immediately

Malicious Contact Penalties Offender is ejected from the game On Offense Player is ejected Declared out, unless he has already scored On Defense Rule safe or out on the play Award base(s) Umpire judgment Where would runner(s) be had malicious contact not have occurred

Fake Tag Prohibited by rule By definition, a fake tag is obstruction A fake tag is also illegal conduct Penalty Warning to coach of team involved and next offender shall be ejected Award obstructed runner a minimum of one base

Intentional Walk How do you handle an Intentional Walk? It may be requested by the catcher or the coach It may be done before pitching to the batter, or on any count Call time and award the batter first base

Questions ?