5.07 (e) (8.01(e)) Effect of Removing Pivot Foot From Plate
If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder. Rule 5.07(e) Comment (Rule 8.01(e) Comment): The…
5.07 (f) (8.01 (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,…
5.08 How a Team Scores
(a) One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three men are put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1)…
5.09 Making an Out
(a) Retiring the Batter A batter is out when: (1) His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder; Rule 5.09(a)(1) Comment: A fielder may reach into, but not step into, a dugout to make a catch, and if he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. A…
5.10 Substitutions and Pitching Changes (Including Visits to the Mound)
(a) A player, or players, may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead. A substitute player shall bat in the replaced player’s position in the team’s batting order. (b) The manager shall immediately notify the umpire-in-chief of any substitution and shall state to the umpire-in-chief the substitute’s place in the…
5.11 Designated Hitter Rule
Any League may elect to use Rule 5.11(a), which shall be called the Designated Hitter Rule. (a) The Designated Hitter Rule provides as follows: (1) A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A…
5.12 Calling “Time” and Dead Balls
(a) When an umpire suspends play, he shall call “Time.” At the umpire-in-chief’s call of “Play,” the suspension is lifted and play resumes. Between the call of “Time” and the call of “Play” the ball is dead. (b) The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls “Time.” The umpire-in-chief shall call “Time: (1) When in…
6.01 Interference, Obstruction, and Catcher Collisions
(a) Batter or Runner Interference It is interference by a batter or a runner when: (1) After a third strike that is not caught by the catcher, the batter-runner clearly hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball. Such batter runner is out, the ball is dead, and all other runners return to the bases they…
6.02 Pitcher Illegal Action
(a) Balks If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when: (1) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery; Rule 6.02 (a)(1) Comment: If a left-handed or right-handed pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of…
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…
