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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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.