6.01 (a) Each player of the offensive
team shall bat in the order that his name appears in his team's batting order.
(b) The first batter in each inning after the
first inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last player who legally
completed his time at bat in the preceding inning.
6.02 (a) The batter shall take
his position in the batter's box promptly when it is his time at bat.
(b) The batter shall not leave his position
in the batter's box after the pitcher comes to Set Position, or starts his windup.
PENALTY: If the pitcher pitches, the umpire shall call "Ball" or "Strike,"
as the case may be. The batter leaves the batter's box at the risk of having a strike
delivered and called, unless he requests the umpire to call "Time." The
batter is not at liberty to step in and out of the batter's box at will. Once a batter
has taken his position in the batter's box, he shall not be permitted to step out
of the batter's box in order to use the resin or the pine tar rag, unless there is
a delay in the game action or, in the judgment of the umpires, weather conditions
warrant an exception. Umpires will not call "Time" at the request of the
batter or any member of his team once the pitcher has started his windup or has come
to a set position even though the batter claims "dust in his eyes," "steamed
glasses," "didn't get the sign" or for any other cause. Umpires may
grant a hitter's request for "Time" once he is in the batter's box, but
the umpire should eliminate hitters walking out of the batter's box without reason.
If umpires are not lenient, batters will understand that they are in the batter's
box and they must remain there until the ball is pitched. If pitcher delays once
the batter is in his box and the umpire feels that the delay is not justified he
may allow the batter to step out of the box momentarily. If after the pitcher starts
his windup or comes to a "set position" with a runner on, he does not go
through with his pitch because the batter has stepped out of the box, it shall not
be called a balk. Both the pitcher and batter have violated a rule and the umpire
shall call time and both the batter and pitcher start over from "scratch."
(c) If the batter refuses to take his position
in the batter's box during his time at bat, the umpire shall order the pitcher to
pitch, and shall call "Strike" on each such pitch. The batter may take
his proper position after any such pitch, and the regular ball and strike count shall
continue, but if he does not take his proper position before three strikes are called,
he shall be declared out.
6.03 The batter's legal position
shall be with both feet within the batter's box.
APPROVED RULING: The lines defining the box are within the batter's box.
6.04 A batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out or becomes a runner.
6.05 A batter is out when_
(a) His fair or foul fly ball (other than a
foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder;
(b) A third strike is legally caught by the
catcher; "Legally caught" means in the catcher's glove before the ball
touches the ground. It is not legal if the ball lodges in his clothing or paraphernalia;
or if it touches the umpire and is caught by the catcher on the rebound. If a foul
tip first strikes the catcher's glove and then goes on through and is caught by both
hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a
strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector,
it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher's glove or hand first.
(c) A third strike is not caught by the catcher
when first base is occupied before two are out;
(d) He bunts foul on third strike;
(e) An Infield Fly is declared;
(f) He attempts to hit a third strike and the
ball touches him;
(g) His fair ball touches him before touching
a fielder;
(h) After hitting or bunting a fair ball, his
bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no runners
may advance. If the batter runner drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat
in fair territory and, in the umpire's judgment, there was no intention to interfere
with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play; If a bat breaks and part
of it is in fair territory and is hit by a batted ball or part of it hits a runner
or fielder, play shall continue and no interference called. If batted ball hits part
of broken bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a whole bat is thrown into
fair territory and interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play,
interference shall be called, whether intentional or not. In cases where the batting
helmet is accidently hit with a batted or thrown ball, the ball remains in play the
same as if it has not hit the helmet. If a batted ball strikes a batting helmet or
any other object foreign to the natural ground while on foul territory, it is a foul
ball and the ball is dead. If, in the umpire's judgment, there is intent on the part
of a baserunner to interfere with a batted or thrown ball by dropping the helmet
or throwing it at the ball, then the runner would be out, the ball dead and runners
would return to last base legally touched.
(i) After hitting or bunting a foul ball, he
intentionally deflects the course of the ball in any manner while running to first
base. The ball is dead and no runners may advance;
(j) After a third strike or after he hits a
fair ball, he or first base is tagged before he touches first base;
(k) In running the last half of the distance
from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs
outside (to the right of) the three foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul
line, and in the umpire's judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking
the throw at first base; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the three
foot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting
to field a batted ball;
(l) An infielder intentionally drops a fair
fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first,
second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or
runners shall return to their original base or bases;
APPROVED RULING: In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits
the ball to drop untouched to the ground, except when the Infield Fly rule applies.
(m)A preceding runner shall, in the umpire's
judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown
ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play: The objective of this
rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike
action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing
the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this
is an umpire's judgment play.
(n) With two out, a runner on third base, and
two strikes on the batter, the runner attempts to steal home base on a legal pitch
and the ball touches the runner in the batter's strike zone. The umpire shall call
"Strike Three," the batter is out and the run shall not count; before two
are out, the umpire shall call "Strike Three," the ball is dead, and the
run counts.
6.06 A batter is out for illegal
action when_
(a) He hits a ball with one or both feet on
the ground entirely outside the batter's box. 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
attention to the position of the batter's feet if he attempts to hit the ball while
he is being intentionally passed. A batter cannot jump or step out of the batter's
box and hit the ball.
(b) He steps from one batter's box to the other
while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch;
(c) He interferes with the catcher's fielding
or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that
hinders the catcher's play at home base. EXCEPTION: Batter is not out if any runner
attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for
batter's interference. If the batter interferes with the catcher, the plate umpire
shall call "interference." The batter is out and the ball dead. No player
may advance on such interference (offensive interference) and all runners must return
to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the
time of the interference. If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting
to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that
runner is out_not the batter. Any other runners on the base at the time may advance
as the ruling is that there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. In
that case play proceeds just as if no violation had been called. If a batter strikes
at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and,
in the umpire's judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of
him on the backswing before the catcher has securely held the ball, it shall be called
a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall
advance on the play.
(d) He uses or attempts to use a bat that, in
the umpire's judgment, has been altered or tampered with in such a way to improve
the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball. This includes,
bats that are filled, flat surfaced, nailed, hollowed, grooved or covered with a
substance such as paraffin, wax, etc. No advancement on the bases will be allowed
and any out or outs made during a play shall stand. In addition to being called out,
the player shall be ejected from the game and may be subject to additional penalties
as determined by his League President.
6.07 BATTING OUT OF TURN.
(a) A batter shall be called out, on appeal,
when he fails to bat in his proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat
in his place. (1) The proper batter may take his place in the batter's box at any
time before the improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and any balls and
strikes shall be counted in the proper batter's time at bat.
(b) When an improper batter becomes a runner
or is put out, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch
to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, the umpire
shall (1) declare the proper batter out; and (2) nullify any advance or score made
because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter's
advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise.
NOTE: If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base,
balk, wild pitch or passed ball, such advance is legal.
(c) When an improper batter becomes a runner
or is put out, and a pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal
is made, the improper batter thereby becomes the proper batter, and the results of
his time at bat become legal.
(d) (1) When the proper batter is called out
because he has failed to bat in turn, the next batter shall be the batter whose name
follows that of the proper batter thus called out; (2) When an improper batter becomes
a proper batter because no appeal is made before the next pitch, the next batter
shall be the batter whose name follows that of such legalized improper batter. The
instant an improper batter's actions are legalized, the batting order picks up with
the name following that of the legalized improper batter. The umpire shall not direct
the attention of any person to the presence in the batter's box of an improper batter.
This rule is designed to require constant vigilance by the players and managers of
both teams. There are two fundamentals to keep in mind: When a player bats out of
turn, the proper batter is the player called out. If an improper batter bats and
reaches base or is out and no appeal is made before a pitch to the next batter, or
before any play or attempted play, that improper batter is considered to have batted
in proper turn and establishes the order that is to follow.
APPROVED RULING
To illustrate various situations arising from
batting out of turn, assume a first inning batting order as follows: Abel Baker Charles
Daniel Edward Frank George Hooker Irwin.
PLAY (1). Baker bats. With the count 2 balls
and 1 strike, (a) the offensive team discovers the error or (b) the defensive team
appeals. RULING: In either case, Abel replaces Baker, with the count on him 2 balls
and 1 strike.
PLAY (2). Baker bats and doubles. The defensive
team appeals (a) immediately or (b) after a pitch to Charles. RULING: (a) Abel is
called out and Baker is the proper batter; (b) Baker stays on second and Charles
is the proper batter.
PLAY (3). Abel walks. Baker walks. Charles forces
Baker. Edward bats in Daniel's turn. While Edward is at bat, Abel scores and Charles
goes to second on a wild pitch. Edward grounds out, sending Charles to third. The
defensive team appeals (a) immediately or (b) after a pitch to Daniel. RULING: (a)
Abel's run counts and Charles is entitled to second base since these advances were
not made because of the improper batter batting a ball or advancing to first base.
Charles must return to second base because his advance to third resulted from the
improper batter batting a ball. Daniel is called out, and Edward is the proper batter;
(b) Abel's run counts and Charles stays on third. The proper batter is Frank.
PLAY (4). With the bases full and two out. Hooker
bats in Frank's turn, and triples, scoring three runs. The defensive team appeals
(a) immediately, or (b) after a pitch to George. RULING: (a) Frank is called out
and no runs score. George is the proper batter to lead off the second inning; (b)
Hooker stays on third and three runs score. Irwin is the proper batter.
PLAY (5). After Play (4) (b) above, George continues
at bat. (a) Hooker is picked off third base for the third out, or (b) George flies
out, and no appeal is made. Who is the proper leadoff batter in the second inning?
RULING: (a) Irwin. He became the proper batter as soon as the first pitch to George
legalized Hooker's triple; (b) Hooker. When no appeal was made, the first pitch to
the leadoff batter of the opposing team legalized George's time at bat.
PLAY (6). Daniel walks and Abel comes to bat.
Daniel was an improper batter, and if an appeal is made before the first pitch to
Abel, Abel is out, Daniel is removed from base, and Baker is the proper batter. There
is no appeal, and a pitch is made to Abel. Daniel's walk is now legalized, and Edward
thereby becomes the proper batter. Edward can replace Abel at any time before Abel
is put out or becomes a runner. He does not do so. Abel flies out, and Baker comes
to bat. Abel was an improper batter, and if an appeal is made before the first pitch
to Baker, Edward is out, and the proper batter is Frank. There is no appeal, and
a pitch is made to Baker. Abel's out is now legalized, and the proper batter is Baker.
Baker walks. Charles is the proper batter. Charles flies out. Now Daniel is the proper
batter, but he is on second base. Who is the proper batter? RULING: The proper batter
is Edward. When the proper batter is on base, he is passed over, and the following
batter becomes the proper batter.
6.08 The batter becomes a runner
and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances
to and touches first base) when_
(a) Four "balls" have been called
by the umpire; A batter who is entitled to first base because of a base on balls
must go to first base and touch the base before other base runners are forced to
advance. This applies when bases are full and applies when a substitute runner is
put into the game. If, in advancing, the base runner thinks there is a play and he
slides past the base before or after touching it he may be put out by the fielder
tagging him. If he fails to touch the base to which he is entitled and attempts to
advance beyond that base he may be put out by tagging him or the base he missed.
(b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he
is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches
the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball;
If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called
a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside
the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes
no attempt to avoid being touched.
APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle
him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance.
(c) The catcher or any fielder interferes with
him. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offense may advise the
plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play.
Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter
reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise,
and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference
to the interference. 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. If the batter runner missed first base, or a runner misses his next base,
he shall be considered as having reached the base, as stated in Note of Rule 7.04
(d). Examples of plays the manager might elect to take:
1. Runner
on third, one out, batter hits fly ball to the outfield on which the runner scores
but catcher's interference was called. The offensive manager may elect to take the
run and have batter called out or have runner remain at third and batter awarded
first base.
2. Runner
on second base. Catcher interferes with batter as he bunts ball fairly sending runner
to third base. The manager may rather have runner on third base with an out on the
play than have runners on second and first. In situations where the manager wants
the "interference" penalty to apply, the following interpretation shall
be made of 6.08 (c): If the catcher (or any fielder) interferes with the batter,
the batter is awarded first base. If, on such interference a runner is trying to
score by a steal or squeeze from third base, the ball is dead and the runner on third
scores and batter is awarded first base. If the catcher interferes with the batter
with no runners trying to score from third on a squeeze or steal, then the ball is
dead, batter is awarded first base and runners who are forced to advance, do advance.
Runners not attempting to steal or not forced to advance remain on the base they
occupied at the time of the interference. If the catcher interferes with the batter
before the pitcher delivers the ball, it shall not be considered interference on
the batter under Rule 6.08 (c). In such cases, the umpire shall call "Time"
and the pitcher and batter start over from "scratch."
(d) A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner
on fair territory before touching a fielder. If a fair ball touches an umpire after
having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder, including
the pitcher, the ball is in play.
6.09 The batter becomes a runner
when_
(a) He hits a fair ball;
(b) The third strike called by the umpire is
not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied
with two out; When a batter becomes a base runner on a third strike not caught by
the catcher and starts for the dugout, or his position, and then realizes his situation
and attempts then to reach first base, he is not out unless he or first base is tagged
before he reaches first base. If, however, he actually reaches the dugout or dugout
steps, he may not then attempt to go to first base and shall be out.
(c) A fair ball, after having passed a fielder
other than the pitcher, or after having been touched by a fielder, including the
pitcher, shall touch an umpire or runner on fair territory;
(d) A fair ball passes over a fence or into
the stands at a distance from home base of 250 feet or more. Such hit entitles the
batter to a home run when he shall have touched all bases legally. A fair fly ball
that passes out of the playing field at a point less than 250 feet from home base
shall entitle the batter to advance to second base only;
(e) A fair ball, after touching the ground,
bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under
a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, in which case
the batter and the runners shall be entitled to advance two bases;
(f) Any fair ball which, either before or after
touching the ground, passes through or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard,
or through any opening in the fence or scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery,
or vines on the fence, or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the
batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases;
(g) Any bounding fair ball is deflected by the
fielder into the stands, or over or under a fence on fair or foul territory, in which
case the batter and all runners shall be entitled to advance two bases;
(h) Any fair fly ball is deflected by the fielder
into the stands, or over the fence into foul territory, in which case the batter
shall be entitled to advance to second base; but if deflected into the stands or
over the fence in fair territory, the batter shall be entitled to a home run. However,
should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 250 feet from home plate,
the batter shall be entitled to two bases only.
6.10 Any League may elect to use
the Designated Hitter Rule.
(a) In the event of inter league competition
between clubs of Leagues using the Designated Hitter Rule and clubs of Leagues not
using the Designated Hitter Rule, the rule will be used as follows:
1. In World
Series or exhibition games, the rule will be used or not used as is the practice
of the home team.
2. In All
Star games, the rule will only be used if both teams and both Leagues so agree.
(b) The Rule provides as follows: 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 Designated
Hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and must be included in
the lineup cards presented to the Umpire in Chief. The designated hitter named in
the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing club
changes pitchers. It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher,
but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for
that game. Pinch hitters for a Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter
for a Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter. A replaced Designated Hitter
shall not re enter the game in any capacity. The Designated Hitter may be used defensively,
continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must
then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution
is made, and the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order. A
runner may be substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the role
of Designated Hitter. A Designated Hitter may not pinch run. A Designated Hitter
is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made
that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter. Once the game pitcher
is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the
Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. Once a pinch hitter bats for
any player in the batting order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall
terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. Once the game
pitcher bats for the Designated Hitter this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter
role for the remainder of the game. (The game pitcher may only pinch hit for the
Designated Hitter). Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive position this move
shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. A substitute
for the Designated Hitter need not be announced until it is the Designated Hitter's
turn to bat.