FIELDER PROTECTED WHILE MAKING A PLAY
Rule 6.01(a)(10): Note that under the Official Baseball Rules, a fielder is protected while in the act of fielding a batted ball. If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference….
WILLFUL AND DELIBERATE INTERFERENCE
Rules 6.01(a)(5-7), 5.09(a)(13), 5.09(b)(3), 6.01(j): Rules 6.01(a)(6) and 6.01(a)(7) were added to the Official Baseball Rules to add an additional penalty when a base runner or a batter-runner deliberately and intentionally interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball to deprive the defensive team of an opportunity…
INTENTIONALLY DEFLECTING COURSE OF BALL
Rule 6.01(a)(2): Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(2) provides that the batter or runner is out for interference if he intentionally “deflects the course of a foul ball in any manner.” While picking up a foul ball or otherwise touching it may not, by such act itself, actually deflect the course of the ball, an umpire may…
BATTER INTERFERES AFTER THIRD STRIKE NOT CAUGHT
Rule 6.01(a)(1): See Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(1) and associated Comment regarding situations where the batter-runner, after a dropped third strike, interferes with the catcher attempting to field the ball. Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(1) was changed for the 2013 season, and the previous interpretation of this rule is no longer valid. Under the new rule, it…
INTERFERENCE WITH INTERVENING PLAY
Rule 6.01(a): Play: Play at the plate on runner attempting to score; runner is called safe. A following play is made on the batter-runner, who is called out for interference outside the three-foot lane. Ruling: With less than two outs, the run scores and batter-runner is out. With two outs, the run does not…
OFFENSIVE INTERFERENCE
Rule 6.01, Definitions of Terms (Interference(a)): While contact may occur between a fielder and runner during a tag attempt, a runner is not allowed to use his hands or arms to commit an obviously malicious or unsportsmanlike act—such as grabbing, tackling, intentionally slapping at the baseball, punching, kicking, flagrantly using his arms or forearms, etc.—to…
TEMPORARY FAILURE OF LIGHTS
Rule 5.12(b)(2): The Note to Official Baseball Rule 5.12(b) states that a league may adopt its own regulations governing games interrupted by light failure. The following are the regulations to be adopted: In the event of a temporary failure of lights while a ball is in flight or a play is in progress and the…
PITCHER MOVING TO A DEFENSIVE POSITION
Rules 5.11, 5.10(b): If a game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position, this move shall terminate the designated hitter’s role for the remainder of the game. The pitcher just removed from the mound may bat in the designated hitter’s spot in the batting order; or, if more than one defensive change…
DESIGNATED HITTER
Rule 5.11: The designated hitter rule is covered thoroughly in Official Baseball Rule 5.11. Additional interpretations are included below: • If a defensive player goes to the mound (i.e., replaces the pitcher), this move shall terminate the designated hitter’s role for the remainder of the game. • The designated hitter may not sit in the…
TRIPS TO THE MOUND—APPROVED RULINGS
Rule 5.10(L): (1) In the top of the second inning, the catcher goes out and talks to the pitcher. Later in the same inning, the pitching coach goes out and talks to the pitcher. Does the pitcher have to be removed from the game? Ruling: No. This is the second visit, but it…
