TWO RUNNERS IN CONTACT WITH BASE
Rule 5.06(a)(2): Under Official Baseball Rule 5.06(a)(2), if two runners are touching a base at the same time, the following runner is out when tagged (unless, of course, the lead runner is forced). It is suggested that the umpire clearly indicate by pointing which runner has been declared out in such situations. See Official Baseball…
OVERRUNNING A BASE WITHOUT TOUCHING IT
Rule 5.06(a)(1): A runner does not acquire the right to an unoccupied base on an attempt to retire the runner until he touches it before he is put out. This is true regardless of whether the umpire’s act of not making a call signifies to the defensive team that the runner failed to touch the…
RUNNER PUSHED OFF BASE
Rule 5.06(a)(1): If in the judgment of an umpire, a runner is pushed or forced off a base by a fielder, intentionally or unintentionally, at which the runner would have otherwise been called safe, the umpire has the authority and discretion under the circumstances to return the runner to the base he was forced off…
CATCHER’S INTERFERENCE
Rules 5.05(b)(3), 5.06(b)(3)(D), 6.01(g): Under Official Baseball Rule 5.05(b)(3), if catcher’s interference is called with a play in progress, the umpire will allow the play to continue because the manager may elect to take the play—unless the batter reaches first base and all other runners advance one base, in which event the play stands and…
ABANDONING BASE PATH (INCLUDING AFTER THIRD STRIKE NOT CAUGHT)
Rules 5.05(a)(2) Comment, 5.09(b)(2) Comment: Under the Comment to Official Baseball Rule 5.05(a)(2), a batter who strikes out on a third strike not caught is treated differently than the plays relating to abandoning the base paths found in the Comments to Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b). Specifically, the following interpretations shall govern a batter who has…
FLY BALL STRIKING TOP OF OUTFIELD WALL
Rule 5.05(a): Unless provided otherwise by local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall and bounding back onto the playing field shall be treated the same as a fair fly ball that strikes the outfield wall and rebounds back onto the playing field (in play but may not be…
Batter’s Position in Batter’s Box
Rules 5.04(b)(5), 6.03(a)(1): When the batter assumes a batting stance in the batter’s box, he shall have both feet entirely within the batter’s box; i.e., no part of either foot may extend beyond the outer edge of the lines defining the box when the batter assumes a position in the box. There is no penalty…
First Basemen Playing in Foul Territory
Rule 5.02: Official Baseball Rule 5.02 provides that when the ball is put in play at the start of or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory. In particular, when holding a runner on first base, the first baseman shall position himself with both feet in fair territory….
Ball Going Into Player’s Uniform
Rules 5.01(b), 5.06(c)(7), 5.06(c)(7) Comment: If a batted or thrown ball inadvertently goes inside a player or coach’s uniform, lodges in the catcher’s face mask or paraphernalia, or is intentionally placed inside a player’s uniform (e.g., in a pants pocket), the umpire shall call “Time.” The umpire will, using common sense and fair play, place…
Lineup Cards
Rule 4.03 Each manager should write the name of each eligible player on the face of his club’s batting order card in addition to furnishing the starting lineup. However, a manager’s failure to list an eligible player does not prevent that player from entering the game, nor is such failure grounds for protest, as the…
