Rule 2 – Section 29 – PLAY, DOUBLE PLAY, FORCE PLAY, PLAY RULING, SQUEEZE PLAY

2-29-1   “Play” is the order given by the umpire when it is time for the game to begin, or to be resumed after having been suspended when he called “time.” The term is also used to denote a unit of action which begins when a pitcher has the ball in his possession in pitching position and ends when ball becomes dead or pitcher again holds the ball while in pitching position.

2-29-2   A double play is continuous activity which results in two putouts during a play as defined in 2-29-1.

2-29-3   A force play is a play in which a runner (or two or three runners) loses his right to the base he occupies and is forced to advance because the batter becomes a batter-runner. For a given runner, a force play ends as soon as he touches the next base or a following runner is put out at a previous base. When a runner advances beyond a base to which he is forced without touching it, the force play remains. Also, a force situation is reinstated when a runner retreats past the base to which he was forced to advance.

2-29-4   A play ruling is a statement of a play situation and the correct ruling. It is considered an integral part of the rules and applies to analogous situations.

2-29-5   A squeeze play is one in which a runner advances toward home plate from third base as the ball is being pitched, and during which the batter bunts to permit the runner to score.

2-29-6   A defensive appeal of a runner failing to touch a base or tag up is not a play.