SET VS. WINDUP POSITION
Rules 5.07(a)(1), 5.07(a)(2): The comment to Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(2) states, in part, that, “With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot in front…
WINDUP POSITION
Rule 5.07(a)(1): Pitchers assume the windup position in one of three ways: (1) Facing the batter, hands together, pivot foot in contact with the rubber, other foot free. This is the “traditional” windup position. From this position (hands together), any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits the pitcher…
TIME OF PITCH
Rule 5.07(a): The time of pitch is defined as the moment the pitcher’s movements commit the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter. • In a windup position, this is defined as the moment the pitcher begins the natural movement associated with the pitcher’s delivery of the ball to the batter (i.e., the start…
BATTED BALL STRIKING THE RUNNER
Rules 5.06(c)(6), 6.01(a)(11): The concept of the runner being in jeopardy after the ball goes past an infielder and strikes the runner in a situation where another infielder still has a chance to make a play on the ball applies ONLY when the ball PASSES the first infielder without being touched or deflected by him….
BALLS DEFLECTED OUT OF PLAY
Rule 5.06(b)(4)(H): The Approved Ruling of Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(H) provides that when a pitched ball deflects off the catcher and goes directly out of play, the award is one base from the time of the pitch. Likewise, when a throw from the pitcher while in contact with the rubber deflects off a fielder and…
AWARDING BASES ON WILD THROWS
Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G): See Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G) regarding awarding of bases on balls that are thrown out of play. In making such awards, keep the following points in mind: (1) If the throw is the first play by an infielder and the batter-runner has not reached first base when the throw was made, award all…
PLAY OR ATTEMPTED PLAY
The following interpretation of “play or attempted play” applies to both awarding of bases (Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G)) and appeal plays (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)): A play or attempted play is interpreted as a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an…
LODGED BALL
Rule 5.06(b)(4)(F): A ball is considered lodged if, in the judgment of the umpire, the natural trajectory of the flight of the ball is interrupted long enough to affect further play. A batted ball that sticks in a fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines located on the playing field should be considered a lodged ball. Likewise,…
DETACHED EQUIPMENT TOUCHING PITCHED OR BATTED BALL
Rules 5.06(b)(4)(B), 5.06(b)(4)(C): Any defensive player deliberately touching a batted ball over foul territory that, in the umpire’s judgment, has an opportunity to become a fair ball with detached equipment will entitle all runners—including the batter-runner—to advance three bases from the time the ball was touched without liability to be put out. The ball is…
RUNNER PASSING A BASE
Rule 5.06(b)(1): A runner is considered to have passed a base if he has both feet on the ground beyond the back edge of the base or beyond the edge of the base in the direction in which he is advancing. The direction the runner is advancing determines the edges of the base when defining…
