Baseball Rules
Baseball Rules
2021 Edition
Official Baseball Rules
2021 Edition
Committee Secretary
Paul V. Mifsud, Jr.
Copyright © 2021
by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
All rights reserved.
No part of the Official Baseball Rules may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system
now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from
the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.
ISBN 978-1-62937-893-0
ii
OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES
Recodified, amended and adopted by the Professional Baseball Playing
Rules Committee at New York, N.Y., December 21, 1949; amended at
New York, N.Y., February 5, 1951; Tampa, Fla., March 14, 1951; Chicago,
Ill., March 3, 1952; New York, N.Y., November 4, 1953; New York, N.Y.,
December 8, 1954; Chicago, Ill., November 20, 1956; Tampa, Fla., March
30-31, 1961; Tampa, Fla., November 26, 1961; New York, N.Y., January
26, 1963; San Diego, Calif., December 2, 1963; Houston, Tex., December
1, 1964; Columbus, Ohio, November 28, 1966; Pittsburgh, Pa., December
1, 1966; Mexico City, Mexico, November 27, 1967; San Francisco, Calif.,
December 3, 1968; New York, N.Y., January 31, 1969; Fort Lauderdale,
Fla., December 1, 1969; Los Angeles, Calif., November 30, 1970; Phoenix,
Ariz., November 29, 1971; St. Petersburg, Fla., March 23, 1972; Honolulu,
Hawaii, November 27, 1972; Houston, Tex., December 3 and 7, 1973; New
Orleans, La., December 2, 1974; Hollywood, Fla., December 8, 1975; Los
Angeles, Calif., December 6, 1976; Honolulu, Hawaii, December 5, 1977;
Orlando, Fla., December 4, 1978; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, December
3, 1979; Dallas, Tex., December 8, 1980; Hollywood, Fla., December 7,
1981; Honolulu, Hawaii, December 5, 1982; Nashville, Tenn., December 5,
1983; New York, N.Y., January 8, 1985; New York, N.Y., March 27, 1986;
Hollywood, Fla., December 9, 1986; New York, N.Y., November 23, 1987;
New York, N.Y., January 26, 1989; Chicago, Ill., December 3, 1990; Miami,
Fla., December 5, 1991; Louisville, Ky., December 4, 1992; Atlanta, Ga.,
December 12, 1993; New York, N.Y., January 30, 1996; Mail vote, January
2006; Teleconference, December 20, 2006; Teleconference, February 5,
2008; Las Vegas, Nev., December 9, 2008; Teleconference, May 26, 2009;
Teleconference, January 25, 2010; Lake Buena Vista, Fla., December 8,
2010; Teleconference, February 16, 2011; Dallas, Tex., December 7, 2011;
Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 2012; Orlando, Fla., December 11, 2013;
Recodified, amended and adopted at San Diego, Calif., December 10, 2014;
Amended at Nashville, Tenn., December 9, 2015; Teleconference, January
11, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, Fla., December 13, 2017; Mail vote, February
2018; Las Vegas, Nev., December 12, 2018; San Diego, Calif., December 10,
2019; Virtual Meeting, February 11, 2021.
iii
FOREWORD
iv
IMPORTANT NOTES
(1) The 2021 Official Baseball Rules do not include any of the rules that
were adopted exclusively for the 2021 Major League season, which are
contained in Section 5.1 of the MLB 2021 Operations Manual. To the
extent of a conflict between the Official Baseball Rules and Section
5.1 of the Operations Manual, the Operations Manual shall control for
Major League play.
(2) The Playing Rules Committee, at its December 2014 meeting, voted to
reorganize and recodify the Official Baseball Rules into a more logical
and organized manner. No wording or language was changed (other
than the amendments made for that year); only the order and placement
of the rules were modified. In this edition Comments to the Official
Rules are highlighted in a shaded box rather than being printed in
smaller typeface as had been the case in prior to 2015.
(3) The Playing Rules Committee, at its December 1977 meeting, voted to
incorporate the Notes/Case Book/Comments section directly into the
Official Baseball Rules at the appropriate places. Basically, the Case
Book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the
same effect as rules when applied to particular sections for which they
are intended.
This arrangement is designed to give quicker access to any written lan-
guage pertaining to an Official Rule and does not require a reader to
refer to different sections of the Official Baseball Rules book in consid-
ering the application of a particular rule.
Case Book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled
as “Comment.”
v
Summary of Rule Changes for 2021
The Official Playing Rules Committee made the following changes that will
be in effect for the 2021 season:
All references to the National Association, Minor League Presidents, and any
associated terms have been changed to reflect the new relationship between
Major League Baseball and any league within the professional development
league system operated by Major League Baseball in which Minor League
Clubs are assigned to compete.
vi
Table of Contents
2021 Official Baseball Rules
vii
5.00—PLAYING THE GAME
5.01 Starting the Game (“Play Ball!”) ........................... 18
5.02 Fielding Positions . ...................................................... 18
5.03 Base Coaches . .............................................................. 18
5.04 Batting.............................................................................. 19
(a) Batting Order......................................................... 19
(b) The Batter’s Box ................................................. 19
(c) Completing Time at Bat .................................... 22
5.05 When the Batter Becomes a Runner ..................... 22
5.06 Running the Bases ...................................................... 26
(a) Occupying the Base ........................................... 26
( b) Advancing Bases ................................................ 26
(c) Dead Balls ............................................................. 31
5.07 Pitching ......................................................................... 33
(a) Legal Pitching Delivery . .................................. 33
(1) The Windup Position .................................. 34
( 2) The Set Position ........................................... 35
( b) Warm-Up Pitches ................................................ 36
(c) Pitcher Delays ...................................................... 36
(d) Throwing to the Bases ...................................... 36
(e) Effect of Removing Pivot
Foot From Plate ......................................... 37
(f) Ambidextrous Pitchers . .................................... 37
5.08 How a Team Scores .................................................... 37
5.09 Making an Out ............................................................. 40
(a) Retiring the Batter .............................................. 40
(b) Retiring a Runner . .............................................. 44
(c) Appeal Plays . ....................................................... 49
(d) Effect of Preceding Runner’s
Failure to Touch a Base ........................... 51
viii
(e) Retiring the Side ................................................. 51
5.10 Substitutions and Pitching Changes
(Including Visits to the Mound ) . ...................... 51
5.11 Designated Hitter Rule .............................................. 59
5.12 Calling “Time” and Dead Balls .............................. 62
ix
7.02 Suspended, Postponed, and Tie Games ............... 89
7.03 Forfeited Games .......................................................... 93
7.04 Protesting Games ........................................................ 94
8.00—THE UMPIRE
8.01 Umpire Qualifications and Authority.................... 95
8.02 Appeal of Umpire Decisions.................................... 95
8.03 Umpire Position............................................................ 98
8.04 Reporting. ....................................................................... 99
x
9.20 Statistics ....................................................................... 138
9.21 Determining Percentage Records ........................ 139
9.22 Minimum Standards for Individual
Championships . .................................................... 140
9.23 Guidelines for Cumulative
Performance Records. ......................................... 142
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS ......................................................... 143
xi
Rule 1.01 to 1.06
1
Rule 2.01
2
Rule 2.01 to 2.03
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 minimum
distance of 400 feet to the center field fence.
(b) No existing playing field shall be remodeled after
June 1, 1958, in such manner as to reduce the distance from
home base to the foul poles and to the center field fence below
the minimum specified in paragraph (a) above.
3
Rule 2.04 to 2.05
2.05 Benches
The home Club shall furnish players’ benches, one each for the
home and visiting teams. Such benches shall not be less than
twenty-five feet from the base lines. They shall be roofed and shall
be enclosed at the back and ends.
4
Rule 3.01 to 3.02(c)
5
Rule 3.02(c) to 3.03(f)
6
Rule 3.03(g) to 3.05
7
Rule 3.05 to 3.06
8
Rule 3.06 to 3.08(f)
3.08 Helmets
A Professional League shall adopt the following rule pertaining to
the use of helmets:
(a) All players shall use some type of protective helmet while at bat
and while running the bases.
(b) All players in the Minor Leagues shall wear a double ear-flap
helmet while at bat.
(c) All Major League players must wear a single ear-flap helmet (or
at the player’s option, 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.
9
Rule 3.08 to 3.10(b)
10
Rule 4.01 to 4.01(e)
11
Rule 4.01(f) to 4.03(c)
12
Rule 4.03(c) to 4.03(d)
13
Rule 4.03(d) to 4.03(e)
14
Rule 4.04 to 4.05
15
Rule 4.06 to 4.08(c)
4.06 No Fraternization
Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators,
nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game. No manager,
coach or player shall address any spectator before or during a game.
Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while in
uniform.
4.07 Security
(a) No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game
except players and coaches in uniform, managers, news photog-
raphers authorized by the home team, umpires, officers of the
law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of the home
Club.
(b) The home team shall provide police protection sufficient to
preserve order. If a person, or persons, enter the playing field
during a game and interfere in any way with the play, the
visiting team may refuse to play until the field is cleared.
PENALTY: If the field is not cleared in a reasonable length
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.
4.08 Doubleheaders
(a) (1) Only two championship games shall be played on one date.
Completion of a suspended game shall not violate this rule,
except for games in the Minor Leagues. See Rule 7.02(b)
Comment.
(a) (2) If two games are scheduled to be played for one admission
on one date, the first game shall be the regularly scheduled
game for that date.
(b) After the start of the first game of a conventional or split double-
header, that game shall be completed before the second game of
the doubleheader shall begin.
(c) The second game of a doubleheader shall start thirty minutes
after the first game is completed, unless a longer interval (not
16
Rule 4.08(c) to 4.08(g)
17
Rule 5.01 to 5.03(c)
18
Rule 5.03(c) to 5.04(b)(2)
with this Rule, except that a coach who has a play at his base
may leave the coach’s box to signal the player to slide, advance
or return to a base if the coach does not interfere with the play
in any manner. Other than exchanging equipment, all base
coaches shall refrain from physically touching base runners,
especially when signs are being given.
PENALTY: If a coach has positioned himself closer to home plate
than the coach’s box or closer to fair territory than the coach’s
box before a batted ball passes the coach, the umpire shall, upon
complaint by the opposing manager, strictly enforce the rule. The
umpire shall warn the coach and instruct him to return to the box.
If the coach does not return to the box he shall be removed from
the game. In addition, coaches who violate this Rule may be sub-
ject to discipline by the Office of the Commissioner.
5.04 Batting
(a) Batting Order
(1) Each player of the offensive team shall bat in the order
that his name appears in his team’s batting order.
(2) The batting order shall be followed throughout the game
unless a player is substituted for another. In that case the
substitute shall take the place of the replaced player in the
batting order.
(3) The first batter in each inning after the first inning shall be
the player whose name follows that of the last player who
legally completed his time at bat in the preceding inning.
(b) The Batter’s Box
(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
box after the pitcher comes to Set Position, or starts his
windup.
PENALTY: If the pitcher pitches, the umpire shall call “Ball”
or “Strike,” as the case may be.
19
Rule 5.04(b)(2)
20
Rule 5.04(b)(3) to 5.04(b)(4)
(3) If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter’s box
during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on
the batter. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance.
After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position
and the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If
the batter does not take his proper position before three
strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out.
21
Rule 5.04(b)(4) to 5.05(a)(2)
22
Rule 5.05(a)(2) to 5.05(a)(8)
23
Rule 5.05(a)(9) to 5.05(b)(2)
(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 if deflected
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 250 feet from home
plate, the batter shall be entitled to two bases only.
(b) The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base
without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and
touches first base) when:
(1) Four “balls” have been called by the umpire;
24
Rule 5.05(b)(2) to 5.05(b)(3)
25
Rule 5.05(b)(4) to 5.06(b)(3)
26
Rule 5.06(b)(3)
(A) There is a balk;
(B) The batter’s advance without liability to be put out
forces the runner to vacate his base, or when the
batter hits a fair ball that touches another runner or
the umpire before such ball has been touched by, or
has passed a fielder, if the runner is forced to advance;
Rule 5.06(b)(3)(B) Comment: A runner forced to advance with-
out liability to be put out may advance past the base to which he
is entitled only at his peril. If such a runner, forced to advance,
is put out for the third out before a preceding runner, also forced
to advance, touches home plate, the run shall score.
Play. Two out, bases full, batter walks but runner from second is
overzealous and runs past third base toward home and is tagged
out on a throw by the catcher. Even though two are out, the run
would score on the theory that the run was forced home by the
base on balls and that all the runners needed to do was proceed
and touch the next base.
27
Rule 5.06(b)(3) to 5.06(b)(4)
28
Rule 5.06(b)(4)
The term “when the wild throw was made” means when the
throw actually left the player’s hand and not when the thrown
29
Rule 5.06(b)(4)
ball hit the ground, passes a receiving fielder or goes out of play
into the stands.
The position of the batter-runner at the time the wild throw left
the thrower’s hand is the key in deciding the award of bases.
If the batter-runner has not reached first base, the award is
two bases at the time the pitch was made for all runners. The
decision as to whether the batter-runner has reached first base
before the throw is a judgment call.
30
Rule 5.06(b)(4) to 5.06(c)(2)
31
Rule 5.06(c)(2) to 5.06(c)(6)
32
Rule 5.06(c)(7) to 5.07(a)
If a third strike (not a foul tip) passes the catcher and hits an
umpire, the ball is in play. If such ball rebounds and is caught
by a fielder before it touches the ground, the batsman is not out
on such a catch, but the ball remains in play and the batsman
may be retired at first base, or touched with the ball for the out.
33
Rule 5.07(a) to 5.07(a)(1)
When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his
body, with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate
and his other foot free, he will be considered in the Windup
Position.
Rule 5.07(a)(1) Comment: In the Windup Position, a pitcher is
permitted to have his “free” foot on the rubber, in front of the
rubber, behind the rubber or off the 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 a
runner, or
(C) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his
hand to his sides).
In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his
pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or
stretch position—if he does it is a balk.
34
Rule 5.07(a)(2)
35
Rule 5.07(a)(2) to 5.07(d)
36
Rule 5.07(d) to 5.08(a)
Rule 5.07(e) Comment: The pitcher, while off the rubber, may
throw to any base. If he makes a wild throw, such throw is the
throw of an infielder and what follows is governed by the rules
covering a ball thrown by a fielder.
(f) Ambidextrous Pitchers
A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter
and any runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may
be done by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the
pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the other
hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inning
ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs
an injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an
at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for
the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he has
switched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw
any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change
of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief.
37
Rule 5.08(a) to 5.08(b)
38
Rule 5.08(b)
39
Rule 5.08(b) to 5.09(a)(1)
40
Rule 5.09(a)(1) to 5.09(a)(7)
catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw
following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been
caught.
Catch Comment: A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by
any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder
before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases
the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach
over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make
a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may
be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a
fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch
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 players of
either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.
(2) A third strike is legally caught by the catcher;
Rule 5.09(a )(2) Comment: “Legally caught” means in the
catcher’s glove before the ball touches the ground. It is not
legal if the ball lodges in his clothing or paraphernalia; or if it
touches the umpire and is caught by the catcher on the rebound.
If a foul tip first strikes any part of the catcher’s body or
paraphernalia and is caught by hand or glove against his body
or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike,
and if third strike, batter is out.
(3) A third strike is not caught by the catcher when first base
is 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 the
batter is in a legal position in the batter’s box, see Rule
5.04(b)(5), and, in the umpire’s judgment, there was no in-
tention to interfere with the course of the ball, a batted ball
that strikes the batter or his bat shall be ruled a foul ball;
41
Rule 5.09(a)(8) to 5.09(a)(10)
(8) After hitting or bunting a fair ball, his bat hits the ball
a second time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no
runners may advance. If the batter-runner drops his bat
and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and,
in the umpire’s judgment, there was no intention to
interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and
in play. If the batter is in a legal position in the batter’s
box, see Rule 5.04(b)(5), and, in the umpire’s judgment,
there was no intention to interfere with the course of the
ball, a batted ball that strikes the batter or his bat shall be
ruled a foul ball;
42
Rule 5.09(a)(10) to 5.09(a)(13)
43
Rule 5.09(a)(14) to 5.09(b)(2)
44
Rule 5.09(b)(2) to 5.09(b)(5)
valid. If there are two out, home run would not count. See Rule
5.09(d). This is not an appeal play.
PLAY—Runner believing he is called out on a tag at first or
third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable
distance still indicating by his actions that he is out, shall be
declared out for abandoning the bases.
(3) He intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders
a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball (see
Rule 6.01(j));
45
Rule 5.09(b)(6) to 5.09(b)(7)
46
Rule 5.09(b)(7) to 5.09(b)(9)
47
Rule 5.09(b)(9) to 5.09(b)(13)
48
Rule 5.09(b)(13) to 5.09(c)(3)
49
Rule 5.09(c)(4) to 5.09(c)
50
Rule 5.09(c) to 5.10(b)
51
Rule 5.10(b) to 5.10(d)
(d) A player once removed from a game shall not re-enter that game.
If a player who has been substituted for attempts to re-enter, or
re-enters, the game in any capacity, the umpire-in-chief shall
direct the player’s manager to remove such player from the
game immediately upon noticing the player’s presence or upon
being informed of the player’s improper presence by another
umpire or by either manager. If such direction to remove the
substituted for player occurs before play commences with the
player improperly in the game, then the substitute player may
enter the game. If such direction to remove the substituted-for
player occurs after play has commenced with the substituted-
for player in the game, then the substitute player shall be
deemed to have been removed from the game (in addition to
the removal of the substituted-for player) and shall not enter
the game. If a substitute enters the game in place of a player-
manager, the manager may thereafter go to the coaching lines
at his discretion. When two or more substitute players of the
defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager
shall, immediately before they take their positions as fielders,
designate to the umpire-in-chief such players’ positions in the
team’s batting order and the umpire-in-chief shall so notify the
52
Rule 5.10(d) to 5.10(g)
53
Rule 5.10(g) to 5.10(i)
54
Rule 5.10(i) to 5.10(k)
ends the previous inning on base or at bat and does not return
to the dugout after the inning is completed, the pitcher is not
required to pitch to the first batter of the inning until he makes
contact with the pitcher’s plate to begin his warm-up pitches.
NOTE: The substitute batter exception to the requirement that a
pitcher already in the game must face the first batter to start an
inning contained in Rule 5.10(i) does not apply to a substitute
pitcher who returns for a subsequent inning without having
satisfied the three batter requirement contained in Rule 5.10(g).
Thus, if a pitcher who has not completed his three batter
requirement at the end of an inning returns for the subsequent
inning, the obligation to satisfy the balance of this requirement
shall continue even if the opposing team elects to pinch hit for
the first hitter to start a subsequent inning.
(j) If no announcement of a substitution is made, the substitute
shall be considered as having entered the game when:
(1) If a pitcher, he takes his place on the pitcher’s plate;
(2) If a batter, he takes his place in the batter’s box;
(3) If a fielder, he reaches the position usually occupied by
the fielder he has replaced, and play commences;
(4) If a runner, he takes the place of the runner he has
replaced.
Any play made by, or on, any of the above mentioned
unannounced substitutes shall be legal.
(k) Players and substitutes of both teams shall confine themselves
to their team’s benches unless actually participating in the play
or preparing to enter the game, or coaching at first or third base.
No one except players, substitutes, managers, coaches, trainers
and bat boys shall occupy a bench during a game.
PENALTY: For violation the umpire may, after warning,
remove the offender from the field.
Rule 5.10(k) Comment: Players on the injured list are permitted
to participate in pre-game activity and sit on the bench during a
game but may not take part in any activity during the game such
55
Rule 5.10(k) to Rule 5.10(l)
56
Rule 5.10(l) to 5.10(m)(2)
57
Rule 5.10(m)(2) to 5.10(m)(3)
58
Rule 5.10(m)(3) to 5.11
59
Rule 5.11(a)(1) to 5.11(a)(5)
60
Rule 5.11(a)(6) to 5.11(a)(11)
61
Rule 5.11(a)(11) to 5.12(b)(1)
62
Rule 5.12(b)(2) to 5.12(b)(8)
63
Rule 6.01(a) to 6.01(a)(5)
64
Rule 6.01(a)(5) to 6.01(a)(10)
65
Rule 6.01(a)(10) to 6.01(a)(11)
66
Rule 6.01(a)(11) to 6.01(b)
67
Rule 6.01(b) to 6.01(c)
68
Rule 6.01(c) to 6.01(d)
69
Rule 6.01(d) to 6.01(e)
to the judgment of the umpire and if the umpire felt that the
coach did all he could to avoid interfering with the play, no
interference need be called. If, in the judgment of the umpire,
the coach was attempting to make it appear that he was trying
not to interfere, the umpire should rule interference.
(e) Spectator Interference
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball,
the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire
shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of
interference.
70
Rule 6.01(e) to 6.01(h)(1)
scored after the catch if the fielder had caught the ball which
was interfered with, therefore, the runner is permitted to score.
This might not be the case if such fly ball was interfered with a
short distance from home plate.
(f) Coach and Umpire Interference
If a thrown ball accidentally touches a base coach, or a pitched or
thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play. However,
if the coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner is out.
Rule 6.01(f ) Comment: Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when
a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw
attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a
pick-off play; or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair
territory before passing a fielder. Umpire interference may also
occur when an umpire interferes with a catcher returning the
ball to the pitcher.
(g) Interference With Squeeze Play or Steal of Home
If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of
a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps
on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or
touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a
balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference
and the ball is dead.
(h) Obstruction
When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal “Obstruction.”
(1) If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if
the batter-runner is obstructed before he touches first
base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance,
without liability to be put out, to the bases they would
have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been
no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded
at least one base beyond the base he had last legally
touched before the obstruction. Any preceding runners,
forced to advance by the award of bases as the penalty for
obstruction, shall advance without liability to be put out.
71
Rule 6.01(h)(1) to 6.01(h)(2)
72
Rule 6.01(i)(1) to 6.01(i)(2)
73
Rule 6.01(i)(2) to 6.01(j)
74
Rule 6.01(j) to 6.02(a)(3)
75
Rule 6.02(a)(3) to 6.02(a)(8)
76
Rule 6.02(a)(8) to 6.02(a)(13)
77
Rule 6.02(a) to 6.02(c)(4)
78
Rule 6.02(c)(5) to 6.02(c)(9)
79
Rule 6.02(c)(9) to 6.02(d)(5)
80
Rule 6.02(d) to 6.03(a)(4)
Rule 6.02(d) Comment: If at any time the ball hits the rosin
bag it is in play. In the case of rain or wet field, the umpire may
instruct the pitcher to carry the rosin bag in his hip pocket. A
pitcher may use the rosin bag for the purpose of applying rosin
to his bare hand or hands. Neither the pitcher nor any other
player shall dust the ball with the rosin bag; neither shall the
pitcher nor any other player be permitted to apply rosin from
the bag to his glove or dust any part of his uniform with the
rosin bag.
6.03 Batter Illegal Action
(a) A batter is out for illegal action when:
(1) He hits a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely
outside the batter’s box.
Rule 6.03(a )(1) Comment: If a batter hits a ball fair or foul
while out of the batter’s box, he shall be called out. Umpires
should pay particular attention to the position of the batter’s
feet if he attempts to hit the ball while he is being intentionally
passed. A batter cannot jump or step out of the batter’s box and
hit the ball.
(2) He steps from one batter’s box to the other while the
pitcher is in position ready to pitch;
(3) He interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by
stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other
movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base.
(4) He throws his bat into fair or foul territory and hits a
catcher (including the catcher’s glove) and the catcher
was attempting to catch a pitch with a runner(s) on base
and/or the pitch was a third strike.
EXCEPTION to Rules 6.03(a)(3) and (4): Batter is not out
if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner
trying to score is called out for batter’s interference.
Rules 6.03(a )(3) and (4) Comment: If the batter interferes
with the catcher, the plate umpire shall call “interference.” The
batter is out and the ball dead. No player may advance on such
interference (offensive interference) and all runners must return
81
Rule 6.03(a)(4) to 6.03(b)(2)
to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally
touched at the time of the interference.
If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting
to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual
interference and that runner is out—not the batter. Any other
runners on the base at the time may advance as the ruling is that
there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. In that case
play proceeds just as if no violation had been called.
If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he
carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judgment,
unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the
backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference).
The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance
on the play.
(5) He uses or attempts to use a bat that, in the umpire’s
judgment, has been altered or tampered with in such a
way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual
reaction on the baseball. This includes bats that are filled,
flat-surfaced, nailed, hollowed, grooved or covered with
a substance such as paraffin, wax, etc.
(1) No advancement on the bases will be allowed (except
advancements that are not caused by the use of an illegal
bat, e,g., stolen base, balk, wild pitch, passed ball),
and any out or outs made during a play shall stand. In
addition to being called out, the player shall be ejected
from the game and may be subject to additional penalties
as determined by the Office of the Commissioner.
Rule 6.03(a)(5) Comment: A batter shall be deemed to have
used or attempted to use an illegal bat if he brings such a bat
into the batter’s box.
(b) Batting Out of Turn
(1) A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat
in his proper turn, and another batter completes a time at
bat in his place.
(2) The proper batter may take his place in the batter’s box
at any time before the improper batter becomes a runner
82
Rule 6.03(b)(2) to 6.03(b)(7)
Rule 6.03(b )(7) Comment: The umpire shall not direct the
attention of any person to the presence in the batter’s box of
an improper batter. This rule is designed to require constant
vigilance by the players and managers of both teams.
There are two fundamentals to keep in mind: When a player
bats out of turn, the proper batter is the player called out. If an
improper batter bats and reaches base or is out and no appeal
is made before a pitch to the next batter, or before any play
or attempted play, that improper batter is considered to have
83
Rule 6.03(b)(7)
84
Rule 6.03(b)(7) to 6.04(a)
85
Rule 6.04(a)(1) to 6.04(d)
86
Rule 6.04(e)
87
Rule 7.01 to 7.01(f)
(2) If the home team has scored more runs in four or four and
a fraction half-innings than the visiting team has scored
in five completed half-innings;
(3) If the home team scores one or more runs in its half of the
fifth inning to tie the score.
(d) If a regulation game is called with the score tied, it shall
become a suspended game. See Rule 7.02.
(e) If a game is postponed or otherwise called before it has become
a regulation game, the umpire-in-chief shall declare it “No
Game,” unless the game is called pursuant to Rules 7.02(a)(3)
or 7.02(a)(4), which shall be a suspended game at any time after
it starts.
(f) The Office of the Commissioner may determine whether rain
checks will be honored for any regulation or suspended game
that has progressed to or beyond a point of play described in
Rule 7.01(c).
88
Rule 7.01(f) to 7.02(a)
89
Rule 7.02(a)(1) to 7.02(a)(9)
90
Rule 7.02(a)(9) to 7.02(b)(4)
91
Rule 7.02(b)(4) to 7.02(b)(5)
92
Rule 7.02(b)(5) to 7.03(a)(1)
93
Rule 7.03(a)(1) to 7.04
94
Rule 8.01 to 8.02(a)
8.00–THE UMPIRE
8.01 Umpire Qualifications and Authority
(a) The Office of the Commissioner shall appoint one or more
umpires to officiate at each league championship game. The
umpires shall be responsible for the conduct of the game in ac-
cordance with these official rules and for maintaining discipline
and order on the playing field during the game.
(b) Each umpire is the representative of the league and of
professional baseball, and is authorized and required to enforce
all of these rules. Each umpire has authority to order a player,
coach, manager or Club officer or employee to do or refrain
from doing anything which affects the administering of these
rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties.
(c) Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically
covered in these rules.
(d) Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach,
manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsports-
manlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified
person from the playing field. If an umpire disqualifies a player
while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take
effect until no further action is possible in that play.
(e) Each umpire has authority at his discretion to eject from the
playing field (1) any person whose duties permit his presence on
the field, such as ground crew members, ushers, photographers,
newsmen, broadcasting crew members, etc., and (2) any spectator
or other person not authorized to be on the playing field.
95
Rule 8.02(a) to 8.02(c)
96
Rule 8.02(c) to 8.02(e)
The manager or the catcher may request the plate umpire to ask
his partner for help on a half swing when the plate umpire calls
the pitch a ball, but not when the pitch is called a strike. The
manager may not complain that the umpire made an improper
call, but only that he did not ask his partner for help. Field
umpires must be alerted to the request from the plate umpire
and quickly respond. Managers may not protest the call of a
ball or strike on the pretense they are asking for information
about a half swing.
Appeals on a half swing may be made only on the call of ball
and when asked to appeal, the home plate umpire must refer to
a base umpire for his judgment on the half swing. Should the
base umpire call the pitch a strike, the strike call shall prevail.
Appeals on a half swing must be made before the next pitch,
or any play or attempted play. If the half swing occurs during a
play which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before
all infielders of the defensive team leave fair territory.
Baserunners must be alert to the possibility that the base umpire
on appeal from the plate umpire may reverse the call of a ball to
the call of a strike, in which event the runner is in jeopardy of
being out by the catcher’s throw. Also, a catcher must be alert
in a base stealing situation if a ball call is reversed to a strike by
the base umpire upon appeal from the plate umpire.
The ball is in play on appeal on a half swing.
On a half swing, if the manager comes out to argue with first or
third base umpire and if after being warned he persists in arguing,
he can be ejected as he is now arguing over a called ball or strike.
(d) No umpire may be replaced during a game unless he is injured
or becomes ill.
(d) If there is only one umpire, he shall have complete jurisdiction
in administering the rules. He may take any position on the
playing field which will enable him to discharge his duties
(usually behind the catcher, but sometimes behind the pitcher
if there are runners). He shall be considered umpire-in-chief.
(e) If there are two or more umpires, one shall be designated
umpire-in-chief and the others field umpires.
97
Rule 8.03 to 8.03(c)
98
Rule 8.03(c) to 8.04
8.04 Reporting
(a) The umpire shall report to the Office of the Commissioner with-
in twelve hours after the end of a game all violations of rules
and other incidents worthy of comment, including the disqual-
ification of any trainer, manager, coach or player, and the rea-
sons therefor.
(b) When any trainer, manager, coach or player is disqualified for a
flagrant offense such as the use of obscene or indecent language,
or an assault upon an umpire, trainer, manager, coach or player,
the umpire shall forward full particulars to the Office of the
Commissioner within four hours after the end of the game.
(c) After receiving the umpire’s report that a trainer, manager, coach
or player has been disqualified, the Office of the Commissioner
shall impose such penalty as he deems justified, and shall notify
the person penalized and the manager of the Club of which the
penalized person is a member. If the penalty includes a fine, the
penalized person shall pay the amount of the fine to the league
within five days after receiving notice of the fine. Failure to
pay such fine within five days shall result in the offender being
debarred from participation in any game and from sitting on the
players’ bench during any game, until the fine is paid.
99
General Instructions to Umpires
100
General Instructions to Umpires
101
Rule 9.01(a)
102
Rule 9.01(a)
103
Rule 9.01(a) to Rule 9.01(b)(3)
104
Rule 9.01(b)(3) to 9.02(a)
105
Rule 9.02(a) to 9.02(c)
106
Rule 9.02(c) to 9.02(d)
107
Rule 9.02(d) to 9.03(a)
108
Rule 9.03(a) to 9.03(c)
the order in which the player batted, or would have batted if the
game ended before the player came to bat.
Rule 9.03(a ) Comment: When a player does not exchange
positions with another fielder but is merely placed in a different
spot for a particular batter (for example, if a second baseman goes
to the outfield to form a four-man outfield, or if a third baseman
moves to a position between the shortstop and second baseman),
the Official Scorer should not list this as a new position.
(b) The Official Scorer shall identify in the official score report any
player who enters the game as a substitute batter or substitute
runner, whether or not such player continues in the game
thereafter, in the batting order by a special symbol that shall refer
to a separate record of substitute batters and runners. The record
of substitute batters shall describe what the substitute batter did.
The record of substitute batters and runners shall include the
name of any such substitute whose name is announced, but
who is removed for another substitute before he actually gets
into the game. Any such second substitute shall be recorded as
batting or running for the first announced substitute.
Rule 9.03(b) Comment: Lower case letters are recommended as
symbols for substitute batters and numerals are recommended
as symbols for substitute runners. For example, an official
score report may note as follows: “a-Singled for Abel in third
inning; b-Flied out for Baker in sixth inning; c-Hit into force
for Charles in seventh inning; d-Grounded out for Daniel in
ninth inning; 1-Ran for Edward in ninth inning.” If a substitute’s
name is announced but the substitute is removed for another
substitute before he actually gets into the game, the Official
Scorer report shall record the substitute, for example, as follows:
“e-Announced as substitute for Frank in seventh inning.”
(c) How to Prove a Box Score
(c) A box score shall balance (or is proven) when the total of the
team’s times at bat, bases on balls received, hit batters, sacrifice
bunts, sacrifice flies and batters awarded first base because of
interference or obstruction equals the total of that team’s runs,
players left on base and the opposing team’s putouts.
109
Rule 9.03(d) to 9.03(e)
110
Rule 9.04 to 9.05(a)(1)
111
Rule 9.05(a)(1) to 9.05(b)
112
Rule 9.05(b)(1) to 9.06(b)
113
Rule 9.06(b) to 9.06(c)
114
Rule 9.06(c) to 9.06(f)
base and is tagged out, the Official Scorer shall credited him
with a one-base hit; if the batter-runner overslides third base and
is tagged out, the Official Scorer shall credit him with a two-base
hit.
Rule 9.06(c) Comment: If the batter-runner overruns second or
third base and is tagged out trying to return, the Official Scorer
shall credit the batter-runner with the last base he touched. If
a batter-runner runs past second base after reaching that base
on his feet, attempts to return and is tagged out, the Official
Scorer shall credit the batter with a two-base hit. If a batter-
runner runs past third base after reaching that base on his feet,
attempts to return and is tagged out, the Official Scorer shall
credit the batter with a three-base hit.
(d) When the batter, after making a safe hit, is called out for having
failed to touch a base, the last base the batter reached safely
shall determine if the Official Scorer shall credit him with a
one-base hit, a two-base hit or a three-base hit. If a batter-runner
is called out after missing home plate, the Official Scorer shall
credit him with a three-base hit. If a batter-runner is called out
for missing third base, the Official Scorer shall credit him with
a two-base hit. If a batter-runner is called out for missing sec-
ond base, the Official Scorer shall credit him with a one-base
hit. If a batter-runner is called out for missing first base, the
Official Scorer shall charge him with a time at bat, but no hit.
(e) When a batter-runner is awarded two bases, three bases or a
home run under the provisions of Rules 5.06(b)(4) or 6.01(h),
the Official Scorer shall credit the batter-runner with a two-base
hit, a three-base hit or a home run, as the case may be.
(f) Subject to the provisions of Rule 9.06(g), when a batter ends a
game with a safe hit that drives in as many runs as are necessary
to put his team in the lead, the Official Scorer shall credit such
batter with only as many bases on his hit as are advanced by the
runner who scores the winning run, and then only if the batter
runs out his hit for as many bases as are advanced by the runner
who scores the winning run.
Rule 9.06( f ) Comment: The Official Scorer shall apply this
rule even when the batter is theoretically entitled to more bases
because of being awarded an “automatic” extra-base hit under
115
Rule 9.06(f) to 9.07(c)
116
Rule 9.07(c) to 9.07(g)
to the next base without the aid of an error, the Official Scorer
shall credit the runner with a stolen base. If another runner
also advances on the play, the Official Scorer shall credit both
runners with stolen bases. If a runner advances while another
runner, attempting to steal, evades being put out in a run-down
play and returns safely, without the aid of an error, to the base
he originally occupied, the Official Scorer shall credit a stolen
base to the runner who advances.
(d) When a double- or triple-steal is attempted and one runner is
thrown out before reaching and holding the base such runner
is attempting to steal, no other runner shall be credited with a
stolen base.
(e) When a runner is tagged out after oversliding a base, while
attempting either to return to that base or to advance to the next
base, the Official Scorer shall not credit such runner with a
stolen base.
(f ) When in the scorer’s judgment a runner attempting to steal is
safe because of a muffed throw, the Official Scorer shall not
credit a stolen base. The Official Scorer shall credit an assist
to the fielder who made the throw, charge an error to the fielder
who muffed the throw and charge the runner with “caught
stealing.”
(g) The Official Scorer shall not score a stolen base when a runner
advances solely because of the defensive team’s indifference
to the runner’s advance. The Official Scorer shall score such a
play as a fielder’s choice.
Rule 9.07(g ) Comment: The scorer shall consider, in judging
whether the defensive team has been indifferent to a runner’s
advance, the totality of the circumstances, including the inning
and score of the game, whether the defensive team had held
the runner on base, whether the pitcher had made any pickoff
attempts on that runner before the runner’s advance, whether
the fielder ordinarily expected to cover the base to which the
runner advanced made a move to cover such base, whether the
defensive team had a legitimate strategic motive to not contest
the runner’s advance or whether the defensive team might be
trying impermissibly to deny the runner credit for a stolen base.
117
Rule 9.07(g) to 9.08(a)
For example, with runners on first and third bases, the Official
Scorer should ordinarily credit a stolen base when the runner
on first advances to second, if, in the scorer’s judgment, the
defensive team had a legitimate strategic motive— namely,
preventing the runner on third base from scoring on the throw
to second base— not to contest the runner’s advance to second
base. The Official Scorer may conclude that the defensive team
is impermissibly trying to deny a runner credit for a stolen base
if, for example, the defensive team fails to defend the advance
of a runner approaching a league or career record or a league
statistical title.
(1) tries to steal;
9.08 Sacrifices
The Official Scorer shall:
(a) Score a sacrifice bunt when, before two are out, the batter
advances one or more runners with a bunt and is put out at first
118
Rule 9.08(a) to 9.08(d)
base, or would have been put out except for a fielding error,
unless, in the judgment of the Official Scorer, the batter was
bunting exclusively for a base hit and not sacrificing his own
chance of reaching first base for the purpose of advancing a
runner or runners, in which case the Official Scorer shall charge
the batter with a time at bat;
Rule 9.08(a) Comment: In determining whether the batter had
been sacrificing his own chance of reaching first base for the
purpose of advancing a runner, the Official Scorer shall give the
batter the benefit of the doubt. The Official Scorer shall consider
the totality of the circumstances of the at-bat, including the
inning, the number of outs and the score.
(b) Score a sacrifice bunt when, before two are out, the fielders
handle a bunted ball without error in an unsuccessful attempt
to put out a preceding runner advancing one base, unless, an
attempt to turn a bunt into a putout of a preceding runner fails,
and in the judgment of the Official Scorer ordinary effort would
not have put out the batter at first base, in which case the batter
shall be credited with a one-base hit and not a sacrifice;
(c) Not score a sacrifice bunt when any runner is put out attempting
to advance one base on a bunt, or would have been put out,
except for a fielding error, in which case the Official Scorer
shall charge the batter with a time at bat; and
(d) Score a sacrifice fly when, before two are out, the batter hits a
ball in flight handled by an outfielder or an infielder running in
the outfield in fair or foul territory that
(1) is caught, and a runner scores after the catch, or
(2) is dropped, and a runner scores, if in the scorer’s judgment
the runner could have scored after the catch had the fly
been caught.
Rule 9.08(d ) Comment: The Official Scorer shall score a
sacrifice fly in accordance with Rule 9.08(d)(2) even though
another runner is forced out by reason of the batter becoming
a runner.
119
Rule 9.09 to 9.09(c)
9.09 Putouts
A putout is a statistic credited to a fielder whose action causes the out
of a batter-runner or runner, as set forth in this Rule 9.09.
(a) The Official Scorer shall credit a putout to each fielder who
(1) catches a ball that is in flight, whether fair or foul;
(2) catches a batted or thrown ball and tags a base to put out
a batter or runner; or
Rule 9.09(a)(2) Comment: The Official Scorer shall credit a
fielder with a putout if such fielder catches a thrown ball and
tags a base to record an out on an appeal play.
(3) tags a runner when the runner is off the base to which the
runner is entitled.
(b) The Official Scorer shall credit an automatic putout to the
catcher when a:
(1) batter is called out on strikes;
(2) batter is called out for an illegally batted ball;
(3) batter is called out for bunting foul for his third strike;
Rule 9.09(b)(3) Comment: Note the exception in Rule
9.15(a)(4).
(4) batter is called out for being touched by his own batted
ball;
(5) batter is called out for interfering with the catcher;
(6) batter is called out for failing to bat in his proper turn;
Rule 9.09(b)(6) Comment: See Rule 9.03(d).
(7) batter is called out for refusing to touch first base after
receiving a base on balls, after being hit by a pitch or after
a catcher’s interference; or
(8) runner is called out for refusing to advance from third
base to home plate.
(c) The Official Scorer shall credit automatic putouts as follows
(and shall credit no assists on these plays except as specified):
120
Rule 9.09(c)(1) to 9.09(c)(7)
121
Rule 9.10 to 9.10(b)(3)
9.10 Assists
An assist is a statistic credited to a fielder whose action contributes
to a batter-runner or runner being put out, as set forth in this Rule
9.10.
(a) The Official Scorer shall credit an assist to each fielder who
(1) throws or deflects a batted or thrown ball in such a way
that a putout results, or would have resulted except for
a subsequent error by any fielder. Only one assist and
no more shall be credited to each fielder who throws
or deflects the ball in a run-down play that results in a
putout, or would have resulted in a putout, except for a
subsequent error; or
Rule 9.10(a )(1) Comment: Mere ineffective contact with the ball
shall not be considered an assist. “Deflect” shall mean to slow
down or change the direction of the ball and thereby effectively
assist in putting out a batter or runner. If a putout results from an
appeal play within the natural course of play, the Official Scorer
shall give assists to each fielder, except the fielder making the
putout, whose action led to the putout. If a putout results from
an appeal play initiated by the pitcher throwing to a fielder after
the previous play has ended, the Official Scorer shall credit the
pitcher, and only the pitcher, with an assist.
122
Rule 9.10(b)(3) to 9.12(a)(1)
9.12 Errors
An error is a statistic charged against a fielder whose action has
assisted the team on offense, as set forth in this Rule 9.12.
(a) The Official Scorer shall charge an error against any fielder:
(1) whose misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw) prolongs the
time at bat of a batter, prolongs the presence on the bases
of a runner or permits a runner to advance one or more
bases, unless, in the judgment of the Official Scorer, such
fielder deliberately permits a foul fly to fall safe with a
runner on third base before two are out in order that the
runner on third shall not score after the catch;
Rule 9.12(a )(1) Comment: Slow handling of the ball that
does not involve mechanical misplay shall not be construed as
an error. For example, the Official Scorer shall not charge a
fielder with an error if such fielder fields a ground ball cleanly
but does not throw to first base in time to retire the batter. It is
not necessary that the fielder touch the ball to be charged with
an error. If a ground ball goes through a fielder’s legs or a fly
ball falls untouched and, in the scorer’s judgment, the fielder
could have handled the ball with ordinary effort, the Official
123
Rule 9.12(a)(1) to 9.12(a)(3)
124
Rule 9.12(a)(3) to 9.12(c)
125
Rule 9.12(c) to 9.12(e)
126
Rule 9.12(e) to 9.13(a)
127
Rule 9.13(a) to 9.14(b)
128
Rule 9.14(b) to 9.16
the pitcher makes no attempt to throw the last pitch to the batter
into the strike zone, but purposely throws the ball wide to the
catcher outside the catcher’s box.
(c) If a batter awarded a base on balls is called out for refusing to
advance to first base, the Official Scorer shall not credit the base
on balls and shall charge a time at bat.
(d) The Official Scorer shall score an intentional base on balls
when a batter is awarded first base because the defensive team’s
manager informs the umpire of the team’s intention to walk the
batter.
9.15 Strikeouts
A strikeout is a statistic credited to a pitcher and charged to a batter
when the umpire calls three strikes on a batter, as set forth in this
Rule 9.15.
(a) The Official Scorer shall score a strikeout whenever a batter:
(1) is put out by a third strike caught by the catcher;
(2) is put out by a third strike not caught when there is a
runner on first before two are out;
(3) becomes a runner because a third strike is not caught; or
(4) bunts foul on third strike, unless such bunt on third strike
results in a foul fly caught by any fielder, in which case
the Official Scorer shall not score a strikeout and shall
credit the fielder who catches such foul fly with a putout.
( b) When a batter leaves the game with two strikes against him, and
the substitute batter completes a strikeout, the Official Scorer
shall charge the strikeout and the time at bat to the first batter.
If the substitute batter completes the turn at bat in any other
manner, including a base on balls, the Official Scorer shall score
the action as having been that of the substitute batter.
129
Rule 9.16 to 9.16(a)
passed balls, giving the benefit of the doubt always to the pitcher in
determining which bases would have been reached by runners had
there been errorless play. For the purpose of determining earned
runs, an intentional base on balls, regardless of the circumstances,
shall be construed in exactly the same manner as any other base on
balls.
(a) The Official Scorer shall charge an earned run against a pitcher
every time a runner reaches home base by the aid of safe hits,
sacrifice bunts, a sacrifice fly, stolen bases, putouts, fielder’s
choices, bases on balls, hit batters, balks or wild pitches
(including a wild pitch on third strike that permits a batter to
reach first base) before fielding chances have been offered to put
out the offensive team. For the purpose of this rule, a defensive
interference penalty shall be construed as a fielding chance. A
wild pitch is solely the pitcher’s fault and shall contribute to an
earned run just as a base on balls or a balk.
Rule 9.16(a) Comment: The following are examples of earned
runs charged to a pitcher:
(1) Peter pitches and retires Abel and Baker, the first
two batters of an inning. Charlie reaches first base
on an error charged to a fielder. Daniel hits a home
run. Edward hits a home run. Peter retires Frank to
end the inning. Three runs have scored, but no earned
runs are charged to Peter, because Charlie should
have been the third out of the inning, as reconstructed
without the error.
(2) Peter pitches and retires Abel. Baker hits a triple.
While pitching to Charlie, Peter throws a wild pitch,
allowing Baker to score. Peter retires Daniel and
Edward. One run has scored, charged as an earned
run to Peter, because the wild pitch contributes to an
earned run.
In an inning in which a batter-runner reaches first base
on a catcher’s interference, such batter-runner shall
not count as an earned run should he subsequently
score. The Official Scorer shall not assume, however,
130
Rule 9.16(a) to 9.16(e)
131
Rule 9.16(f) to 9.16(g)
132
Rule 9.16(g) to 9.16(h)
133
Rule 9.16(h) to 9.16(i)
134
Rule 9.16(i) to 9.17(a)
135
Rule 9.17(a) to 9.17(c)
until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of
the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher.
(b) If the pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher
is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such
pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such
lead, is a starting pitcher who has not completed
(1) five innings of a game that lasts six or more innings on
defense, or
( 2) four innings of a game that lasts five innings on defense,
then the Official Scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher
the relief pitcher, if there is only one relief pitcher, or the
relief pitcher who, in the Official Scorer’s judgment was
the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher.
136
Rule 9.17(c) to 9.19(a)
137
Rule 9.19(b) to 9.20
9.20 Statistics
The Office of the Commissioner shall appoint an official statistician.
The statistician shall maintain an accumulative record of all the
batting, fielding, running and pitching records specified in Rule
9.02 for every player who appears in a league championship game
or post-season game.
The statistician shall prepare a tabulated report at the end of
the season, including all individual and team records for every
championship game, and shall submit this report to the Office of
the Commissioner. This report shall identify each player by his first
name and surname and shall indicate as to each batter whether he
bats righthanded, lefthanded or both ways, and as to each fielder
and pitcher, whether he throws righthanded or lefthanded.
When a player listed in the starting lineup is substituted for before
he plays on defense, he shall not receive credit in the defensive
statistics (fielding) unless he actually plays that position during the
game. All such players, however, shall be credited with one game
played (in batting statistics) so long as they are announced into the
game or listed on the official lineup card.
Rule 9.20 Comment: The Official Scorer shall credit a player
with having played on defense if such player is on the field
for at least one pitch or play. If a game is called (for example,
because of rain) after a substitute player enters the field but
138
Rule 9.20 to 9.21(f)
139
Rule 9.22 to 9.22(a)
If, for example, Abel has the highest batting average among
those with 502 plate appearance in a Major League with a .362
batting average (181 hits in 500 at-bats), and Baker has 490 plate
appearances, 440 at-bats and 165 hits for a .375 batting average,
Baker shall be the batting champion, because adding 12 more
140
Rule 9.22(a) to 9.22(c)
141
Rule 9.22(c) to 9.23
142
Definitions of Terms
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
(All definitions are listed alphabetically)
ADJUDGED is a judgment decision by the umpire.
An APPEAL is the act of a fielder in claiming violation of the rules
by the offensive team.
A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on
base, entitling all runners to advance one base.
A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight
and is not struck at by the batter. If the pitch touches the ground and
bounces through the strike zone it is a “ball.”
A BASE is one of four points which must be touched by a runner
in order to score a run; more usually applied to the canvas bags and the
rubber plate which mark the base points.
A BASE COACH is a team member in uniform who is stationed in
the coach’s box at first or third base to direct the batter and the runners.
A BASE ON BALLS is an award of first base granted to a batter
who, during his time at bat, receives four pitches outside the strike zone
or following a signal from the defensive team’s manager to the umpire
that he intends to intentionally walk the batter. If the manager informs
the umpire of this intention, the umpire shall award the batter first base
as if the batter had received four pitches outside the strike zone.
A BATTER is an offensive player who takes his position in the
batter’s box.
BATTER-RUNNER is a term that identifies the offensive player
who has just finished his time at bat until he is put out or until the play
on which he became a runner ends.
The BATTER’S BOX is the area within which the batter shall
stand during his time at bat.
The BATTERY is the pitcher and catcher.
BENCH OR DUGOUT is the seating facilities reserved for
players, substitutes and other team members in uniform when they are
not actively engaged on the playing field.
A BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with
the bat and tapped slowly within the infield.
143
Definitions of Terms
144
Definitions of Terms
145
Definitions of Terms
146
Definitions of Terms
147
Definitions of Terms
148
Definitions of Terms
and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.
(Infield Fly) Comment: On the infield fly rule the umpire is to
rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an
infielder-not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or
the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield
fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment,
the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The
infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The
umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be
made immediately.
When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their
own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally
drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions
of Rule 5.09(a)(12). The infield fly rule takes precedence.
If interference is called during an Infield Fly, the ball remains
alive until it is determined whether the ball is fair or foul. If
fair, both the runner who interfered with the fielder and the
batter are out. If foul, even if caught, the runner is out and the
batter returns to bat.
IN FLIGHT describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has
not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder.
IN JEOPARDY is a term indicating that the ball is in play and an
offensive player may be put out.
An INNING is that portion of a game within which the teams
alternate on offense and defense and in which there are three putouts for
each team. Each team’s time at bat is a half-inning.
INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which
interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any
fielder attempting to make a play.
(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder that hinders or
prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
(c) Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders,
impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent
149
Definitions of Terms
150
Definitions of Terms
151
Definitions of Terms
The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit
of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the
shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line
at the hollow beneath the kneecap. The Strike Zone shall be determined
from the batter’s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched
ball. (For diagram of STRIKE ZONE, see Appendix 5.)
152
Definitions of Terms
153
Definitions of Terms
154
155
156
APPENDICES
157
Appendix 1
Diagram No. 1
Diagram of the Playing Field
GRA
SS L
INE
S
IU
AD
'R
95
13'
"
'0
90
90
'0
"
3'
E
FO
N
LI
U
L
L
U
LI
FO
N
127-3 3/8"
E
127-3 3/8"
13' 13'
'
15
3'
'M N
18' CIRCLE
AX
10 ' MI
1
20
'
"
'-0
COACH'S
COACH'S
45
6'
3'
BOX
60'6"
BOX
3'
6'
'M N
AX
10 ' MI
1
"
E
'-0
S
BA
45
26' CIRCLE
M
O
R
'F
E
60
N
LI
E
C
L
U
N
37' 37'
O
O
D
AN
ST
O
D
HOM IUS FR
AN
R
EB
G
60'
RAD
BACKSTOP
DIAGRAM NO. 1
LEGEND
BATTER'S BOX,
CATCHER'S BOX, FOUL LINE,
PITCHER'S PLATE, COACH'S BOX
NEXT BATTER'S BOX
BASE LINES
GRASS LINES
Rev2018TL
158
Appendix 2
Diagram No. 2
Layout at Home Plate, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Bases
15
"
15
"
90
LAYOUT AT
SECOND BASE
FO
NE
UL
LI
LI
UL
NE
FO
A A
90
90
LAYOUT AT FOR LAYOUT AT PITCHER'S PLATE LAYOUT AT
SEE DIAGRAM NO. 3
THIRD BASE FIRST BASE
90
D
3'0"
4'0" 4'0"
C
8'0"
43"
DIAGRAM NO. 2
LEGEND
A 1st, 2nd, 3rd BASES
B BATTER'S BOX
C CATCHER'S BOX
D HOME BASE
E PITCHER'S PLATE
Rev2018TL
159
Appendix 3
Diagram No. 3
Layout of Pitching Mound
REAR SLOPE
GRADUAL TO CIRCLE EDGE
LEVEL AREA
SHADED
(5' x 34" ) 5'
22"
34" 2'
6"
18"
6"
18"
1" 1'
9' 9'
1" 2'
Slope
1" 3'
1" 4'
1" 5'
10'
1" 6'
DIAGRAM NO. 3
Pitching Mound: An 18' diameter circle, The degree of slope from a starting
center of which is 59' from back of home plate. point 6" in front of the pitcher's plate to
a point 6' toward home plate shall
Locate front edge of rubber 18" behind
be 1" to 1', and such degree of slope
center of mound.
shall be uniform.
Front edge of rubber to back point Level area surrounding rubber should be 6"
of home plate, 60'6". in front of rubber, 18" to each side and 22"
Slope starts 6" from front edge of rubber. to rear of rubber. Total level area 5' x 34".
Rev2018TL
160
Appendix 4
H
H
F
E
G
H
A
D
B
H
I J K L M
DIAGRAM NO. 4
(A) Palm width—7 /4" 3 (H) Crotch seam—13 3/4"
(B) Palm width—8" (I) Thumb top to bottom edge—7 3/4"
(C) Top opening of web—41/2" (J) 1st finger top to bottom edge—13"
(webbing not to be wider (K) 2nd finger top to bottom edge—113/4"
than 41/2" at any point) (L) 3rd finger top to bottom edge—10 3/4"
(D) Bottom opening of web—3 1/2" (M) 4th finger to bottom edge—9"
(E) Web top to bottom—5 3/4"
(F) 1st finger crotch seam—51/2"
(G) Thumb crotch seam—51/2"
161
Appendix 5
Top of shoulders
Midpoint
Top of pants
STRIKE
ZONE
162
Index
163
Index
Base Coaches—5.03;
Helmets 3.08(e);
Interference 6.01(a)(8-9), 6.01(b), 6.01(d), 6.01(f);
Restrictions 5.03(a-c), 5.03 PENALTY, 5.10(k), 6.04(a).
Bat—3.02;
Altered 6.03(a)(4).
Bat Boy/Girl—3.08(f), 4.07(a), 5.10(k).
Batter/Batter-Runner—
Backswing strikes catcher 6.03(a)(3);
Batter becomes a runner 5.05
Fails to advance to first base 5.05(a)(2), 5.05(b);
Hit by pitch 5.05(b)(2), 5.06(c)(1), 5.09(a)(6), Definitions of
Terms (“Ball,” “Strike”);
Illegal action 6.03;
Interference by 5.09(a)(7-9,11), 5.09(b)(8), 6.01(a), 6.03(a)(3-4);
6.03(a)(3 and 4) EXCEPTION and Comment.
Interference with 5.05(b)(3), 5.06(b)(3)(D);
Interferes with catcher after dropped third strike 6.01(a)(1),
6.01(a)(1) Comment;
Position in batter’s box Definitions of Terms, 5.04(b), 5.04(b)(4-5),
6.03(a)(1-3);
Struck by batted ball 5.05(b)(2) Comment, 5.06(c)(6)(1),
5.09(a)(7), 6.01(a)(11).
Batter’s Box—2.01, Definitions of Terms, 5.04(b), 6.03(a), Appendix 2.
Batter’s Box Rule—5.04(b).
NAPBL Regulations—5.04(b)(2) Comment, 5.04(b)(4).
Batting Order—4.03, 5.04(a), 5.10(a-f,j), 8.03(a)(8).
Batting Out of Order—6.03(b).
Bench/Dugout—2.05, Definitions of Terms.
Catch/Play attempts Definitions of Terms (“Catch” Comment),
5.06(b)(3)(C), 5.09(a)(1) Comment, 5.12(b)(6), 6.01(b);
Equipment 3.10;
Live ball deflected into 5.06(b)(4)(H);
Occupants 5.10(b) Comment, 5.10(k), 6.04(a,c-e), 8.04(c).
Bounced Pitch—Definitions of Terms (“Ball”).
Catch—Definitions of Terms, 5.09(1-2).
Catcher—
164
Index
165
Index
166
Index
167
Index
168
Index
169
Index
Playing Field—2.01.
Police Protection—4.07(b).
Postponement Responsibility—4.04.
Pregame Conference—4.03.
Protested Game—7.04, 8.02(b).
Quick Pitch—Definitions of Terms (Illegal Pitch, Quick Return),
5.07(a)(3), 6.02(a)(2) Comment, 6.02(b).
Rain Delays—4.03(e), 4.03 Comment.
Regulation Game—1.06, 7.01, 7.01(g), 7.02;
7-inning Game 7.01(a) Exception.
Rosin Bag—4.01(f), 6.02(d) Comment.
Runner—
Abandons effort to run bases 5.05(a)(2) Comment, 5.05(b),
5.09(b)(2, 11), 5.09(c)(3);
Advancing or returning after being put out—6.01(a)(5) Comment.
Entitled to base 5.06(a)(1-2), 6.01(a) Comment;
“Flying Start” when tagging up 5.09(c)(1) Comment;
Injured 5.12(b)(3)(A);
Intentionally crashing into catcher 6.01(i)(1);
Intentionally interferes with fielder—5.09(a)(13) Comment,
5.09(b)(3), 6.01(a)(5-7), 6.01(j);
Interferes after scoring 6.01(a)(5);
Interferes while in contact with base 6.01(a) Comment;
Interferes with potential double play 6.01(j);
Leaves basepath to avoid tag 5.09(b)(1)
“Overzealous Runner” 5.06(b)(3)(B) Comment;
Passes lead runner 5.09(b)(9);
Retouch (tag up) requirements Definitions of Terms, Definitions
of Terms (Infield Fly), 5.06(b)(4)(I) Comment, 5.06(c)(5),
5.09(b)(5), 5.09(c)(1);
Return prohibited 5.06(a)/5.06(c) Comment, 5.08(a) Comment,
5.09(c)(2) Approved Ruling and Comment;
Reverse base-running prohibited 5.09(b)(10);
Struck by batted ball 5.05(b)(4), 5.06(c)(6), 5.09(b)(7), 5.09(b)(7)
Comment, 6.01(a)(11);
Struck by batted ball (before or after passing fielder) 5.06(c)(6),
5.09(b)(7), 5.09(b)(7) Comment, 6.01(a)(11);
170
Index
171
Index
172
Index
173
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