Umpire Manual

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Part I: Conduct and Responsibilities of Umpires Standards of conduct, behavior, and responsibility required of all Major League Umpires.



Part II: Rule Interpretations Interpretations, guidelines, rulings, and clarifications to the Official Baseball Rules applicable to all Major League games. Interpretations are arranged by rule order.

3.04, 3.05, and 3.06

describe proper glove measurements and should be enforced for all gloves used in

Major League games. The key measurements are “J” and “A” lines (see Diagram

Number 4 in the Official Baseball Rules). The “J” line from the top of the index

finger (first finger) to the bottom edge cannot measure more than 13 inches.

The “A” line, palm width, measured from the inside seam at the base of the

index or first finger to the outside edge of the little finger of the glove, cannot be

more than 7. inches. The first baseman’s glove or mitt cannot be more than 13

inches from top to bottom, and the catcher’s mitt cannot be more than 15ó inches

from top to bottom or more than 38 inches in circumference.

Measurements should be made from the front or receiving side of the glove,

and the measuring tape should be placed in contact with the glove and follow all

contours.

The umpire may measure questionable gloves at his discretion, or the opposing

manager may request that a glove be measured. Each manager is limited to

two such requests per game. All measurements will be taken by the umpire

between innings only. If the glove is illegal, it will be temporarily confiscated. A

player refusing to obey the umpire’s order may be ejected from the game. Play

that has transpired prior to the measurement will be allowed to stand.

4. 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

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RULE INTERPRETATIONS

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 listing of eligible players

is simply a courtesy.

5. BALL GOING INTO PLAYER’S UNIFORM

Rule 5.01(b) :

If a batted or thrown ball inadvertently goes inside a player or coach’s uniform

(or lodges in the catcher’s face mask or paraphernalia), the umpire shall call

“Time.” He will, using common sense and fair play, place all runners in such a

manner that, in the umpire’s judgment, will nullify the action of the ball going out

of play. In no case may any outs be recorded on such play.

Note that this interpretation does not apply to situations where a batted or

thrown ball lodges in a fielder’s glove. In those cases, the ball is alive and in play.

A fielder may legally throw the glove with the live ball lodged in the glove. Any

fielder in possession of the glove containing the lodged ball is considered in possession

of the ball for the purpose of the Rules. For example, a fielder could legally

tag a runner or a base while in possession of the glove containing the lodged

ball.

6. FIRST BASEMAN 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. There is no penalty

specified for violation other than the first baseman shall be instructed to keep

both feet in fair territory if brought to the attention of the umpire, or—if blatant

or recurring violation—upon immediate direction of the umpire. If a player, after

so directed by the umpire, blatantly refuses to comply, the player is subject to ejection.

7. 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 specified for violation other than the batter

shall be instructed to stay within the batter’s box if brought to the attention of

the umpire, or—if blatant or recurring violation—upon immediate direction of the

umpire. If a player, after so directed by the umpire, blatantly refuses to comply,

the player is subject to ejection. See Official Baseball Rule 5.04(b)(5) .

Under Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(1) , if a batter hits

a ball (fair, foul, or foul tip) with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside

the batter’s box, the batter shall be declared out. (See Official Baseball Rule

6.03(a)(1) .)

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TO CLARIFY: There are two different rules regarding the batter’s position

in the batter’s box. Rule 5.04(b)(5) requires the batter to have

both feet within the batter’s box when assuming an initial position in the box prior

to hitting (no portion of the foot may be outside the line under this provision,

although no penalty is prescribed other than the instructions given above). Rule

6.03(a)(1) provides that the batter be declared out if he hits

the ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter’s box. (So

long as any part of the foot is touching any part of the line when the batter hits

the ball, he is within the rules.)

8. 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 caught for the purposes of an out).

Unless provided otherwise by local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the top

of the outfield wall and bounding over the wall shall be ruled a home run.

Unless provided otherwise by a local ground rule, a fair fly ball striking the

top of the outfield wall and remaining on the top of the wall shall be deemed a

ground-rule double.

9. 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 struck

out on a third strike not caught:

A batter who does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught, and

who is not in the process of running to first base, shall be declared out once the

batter leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate.

The above ruling shall also apply to a batter who strikes out on third strike

not caught and who makes no effort to advance to first base within, in the umpire’s

judgment, a reasonable amount of time. For example, a batter who “lingers” at

home plate, removing a shin guard, and then takes off for first base shall also be

declared out.

Due to the variation in size and shape of dirt circles surrounding home plate

in different ballparks, in the umpire’s judgment when the batter-runner has shown

no effort to advance to first base on a third strike not caught such batter may be

declared out. In any case, should the batter leave the dirt circle surrounding home

plate before attempting to advance to first base, the batter shall be declared out.

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Umpires must be alert to time-play situations when a runner abandons an

effort to touch the next base, as demonstrated in the following play:

Play: Bases loaded, two out, score tied in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Batter hits a home run out of the ballpark. Runner on first, thinking the home

run automatically wins the game, leaves the baseline and heads toward the

dugout. The runner on first is declared out before the runner from third reaches

home plate. Other runners continue around the bases and eventually touch home.

Ruling: No runs score; the third out was made before the runner from third

touched home plate. Game continues in the top of the tenth inning with the score

still tied. NOTE: If there were less than two out, the game would end the moment

the winning run touched home plate. See also Official Baseball Rules 5.08(b) and

7.01(g)(3) .

10. 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

the manager has no option to take the interference penalty.

The umpire should indicate catcher’s interference by pointing at and calling

the infraction.

The manager shall make the election to take the play or take the interference

penalty by advising the plate umpire immediately following the play, and once

made, such election cannot be changed.

If the batter-runner misses first base, or a runner misses his next base, he

shall be considered as having reached the next base, as referred to in the Note to

Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(3)(D) and as stated in the

Approved Ruling of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a) :

A runner who misses the first base to which he is advancing and who is

called out on appeal shall be considered as having advanced one base for the

purpose of this rule.

If a runner is attempting to steal a base when the catcher interferes with the

batter, the runner is awarded the base on the interference. Runners not attempting

to steal or not forced to advance remain on the base they occupied at the time

of the interference unless Official Baseball Rule 6.01(g) applies.

Under Official Baseball Rule 6.01(g) , if a runner is stealing

home when the catcher interferes with the batter, the additional penalty of a balk

is invoked, which enables all runners on base to advance (whether or not they

were stealing).




Part III: Mechanics for the Four-Umpire System Mechanics for the four-umpire system that are to be used by all Major League umpire crews.

Don't strike out!

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