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CASE BOOK

NB: ALL CASES RELATE TO FAST PITCH RULES

Softball Australia acknowledges the assistance of ASA of America and Softball Canada for their contribution of some of thematerial found in this section.

* RULE 1 - DEFINITIONS *

Sec. 1 ALTERED BAT

1 May a bat that has paint on the hittingsurface be used in a game?

RULING: No. This is considered to be analtered bat, as the paint is on the hittingsurface of the bat. Paint may be usedon a bat for identification purposes only,

pro ided it is applied to the bottom endof the barrel or immediately ad!acent tothe grip. "#$#%

Sec. 2 APPEAL PLAY

2 A runner leaves a base before a caughtfly ball is touched. hen should therunner be called out?

RULING: The umpire must &ait for anappeal from the defensi e team.

"#$'%

! "1 on 2nd. #2 hits a fly ball to theoutfield. "1 leaves 2nd before thebatted ball is first touched by theoutfielder. $oes the umpire call therunner out for leaving early?

RULING: The umpire does notautomatically call a runner out forlea ing a base before a caught fly ball isfirst touched. The defence must appeala runner lea ing a base early. "#$'%

% #2 hits a long ball to the outfield and itbounces over the home run fence for aground rule double. #2 fails to touch 1stbase. &he ball is returned to '( andbefore play is resumed )a* '+ appealsfor #2 missing 1st, or )b* '!, who doesnot have the ball, stands on 1st andappeals the missed base.

RULING: These appeals are (ead )allappeals, &hich may legally be made. In"a% the appeal is disallo&ed, as it is onlyfielders stationed in the infield &ho canma*e appeals. In "b% the appeal isallo&ed, as any fielder, &ith or &ithout

possession of the ball, &ho is stationed&ithin the infield at the time of theappeal, may ma*e a (ead )all appeal.

"#$'%

- Can an offensive player make anappeal on a play?

RULING: +es, offensi e players mayappeal for the use of Illegalubstitutions or Illegal Re$entries."#$' - ception%

( An llegal Substitute enters the game asa batter in the 2nd inning. hen the

team goes out to play defence, theoffensive team appeals the use of thellegal Substitute.

RULING: - en though the appeal hasbeen made after a legal pitch has beenthro&n the appeal may be honoured, asan appeal for use of an Illegalubstitute may be made at any time

&hile the Illegal Player is still in thegame. "#$'a - ception%

/ n the last half0inning "2 scores thewinning run. &he umpire notices that "2misses !rd. o player indicates that theinfraction has been seen. After allplayers have left fair territory, '- comesback to !rd and makes an appeal play.

RULING: It is too late for an appeal. Thehalf$inning ended &hen all the playersabandoned fair territory, &ith no playerindicating an appeal &ould be made.The same principal applies to each half$inning, as &ell as the last one. "#$'b%

Sec. 7 BASE PATH3n a hit to the outfield, #2 takes anunusually wide turn while rounding 1ston his way to 2nd. '/ retrieves theground ball and throws it to '%, whomakes a futile attempt at tagging #2,who is sliding head first into the basefrom the outfield side of the base. &heumpire rules #2 safe. &he defenceargues that #2 should be out for beingoutside the imaginary 4.+1m )three foot*base path.

RULING: The base umpire/s !udgementand ruling are correct. The base path isestablished by the runner and is an

imaginary direct line from the runner tothe base to &hich he is ad ancing. "#$0%

Sec. 10 BATTERS BOX

+ &he batter is standing with part of hisfoot on the line and part outside the lineprior to the start of the pitch. s thislegal?

RULING: No, this is not a legal batting position. - en though the lines of thebatter/s bo are considered inside thebo , the batter cannot start &ith any

part of the foot outside the line beforethe pitcher deli ers the ball.

"#$#1%

Sec. 13 BLOCKED BALL

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14 s a blocked ball called when a thrownball )a* strikes a spectator, or )b*accidentally touches a coach who isstanding in the coach5s bo6?

RULING: "a% +es. "b% No. "#$#2%

Sec. 1 BUNT

11 #! starts at the very back of the batter5sbo6 and brings his bat around in front ofhis body to a %-7 bunting position. Asthe pitch is approaching, he runs at theball )does not leave the batter5s bo6*and makes contact with the ball withoutpushing the bat forward toward the ball.s this considered to be a bunt?

RULING: +es. Pro ided )2 does nots&ing at the ball, push the bat for&ardto&ard the ball &hile ta*ing the runningsteps, or chop do&n on the ball, butmerely lets the ball hit the bat, then theaction is considered to be a bunt ratherthan a slap hit. "#$#3%

Sec. 1! CATCH

12 '- makes a catch on a line drive for the!rd out. As he runs to the dugout hetrips over the base and the ball falls outof the glove. s this a legal catch?

RULING: +es, if 45 completed there6uirements of a legal catch beforefalling to the ground. "#$#5a%

1! '( comes across 2nd in a double playpivot. 8e takes the ball in the glove,removes it with the bare hand, and thenloses it, as he is about to throw to 1st.

RULING: This is a legal catch. It &ascompleted &hen he physically remo edthe ball from the glo e &ith the barehand. The action of dropping the balloccurred in a subse6uent action tocatching the ball. "#$#5a%

1% #2 hits a fly ball to ' , who touches theball. &he ball bounces against his bodywhere it is then clamped with an arm.

RULING: If 47 then gets the ball in hishand it &ill become a legal catch. "#$#5b%

1- #1 hits a fly ball to the outfield or overthe infield. ' catches the ball in hisglove or hand, but drops the ball when)a* he falls to the ground, or )b* hecollides with '/, or )C* he collides witha fence.

RULING: These situations are notconsidered to be legal catches becausedefensi e players &ould ne erintentionally fall to the ground, run intoone another, or collide &ith a fence.8hen a fielder is not in control of hisbody, regardless of length of time &iththe ball, and he drops the ball beforeintending or planning to thro& the ball, itis not a catch. "#$#5d%

1( #1 hits a fair line drive that is touched inflight by '%, after which it strikes anumpire standing behind '%. &he ball isthen caught by '( before it touches theground.

RULING: This is not a catch, so )# is notout. 8hen a batted fair ball in flightstri*es an umpire, it is interpreted to bethe same as the ball stri*ing the ground&here the umpire is standing. "#$#5e%

Sec. 1" CATCHERS BOX

1/ '2 is in position to receive a pitch withone foot touching the line of thecatcher5s bo6 and part of the foote6tending outside the line.

RULING: This is legal as 4' is to beconsidered as being in the catcher/sbo . "#$#9a%

Sec. 17 CHAR#ED CONFERENCE

1 &he coach at !rd base re9uests, and isgranted, :&ime; to confer with the 1stbase coach.

RULING: The umpire should charge theoffensi e team &ith a conference."#$#0a%

1+ &he offence re9uests, and is granted,:&ime; by the umpire. &he third basecoach yells at his runner on second torun hard for home if the batter gets asingle. s this a charged conference?

RULING: +es. The offensi e coach ischarged &ith ha ing a conferencebecause the offensi e representati ere6uested Time; to con ey a message"confer% to the runner. a%

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Sec. 20 CRO% HOP

2! '1 assumes the set position on thepitcher5s plate. 8e holds the position forthree seconds, then pushes his pivotfoot forward and loses contact with theplate. After the pivot foot stops movingforward, he begins his motion to thebatter by lifting the front )stepping* foot,breaking his hands as he begins awindmill action and drags forward withthe pivot foot. 8e finally lands hisstepping foot simultaneously with therelease of the ball.

RULING: This is a cro& hop and anIllegal Pitch should be called. )y slidingthe pi ot for&ard from the pitcher/s

plate prior to lifting the front "stepping%foot, he has created a second starting

point, &hich is an illegal action. "#$'1%

2% '1 legally pushes off the pitcher5s platein his motion to pitch. &he pivot foot isreplanted< '1 pushes again with thepivot foot, and completes the delivery ofthe pitch.

RULING: )y replanting the pi ot foot, 4#has committed a cro& hop, &hich is anillegal action. =n Illegal Pitch should bedeclared. "#$'1%

Sec. 21 DEAD BALL

2- #1 hits a pitched ball on the ground to'%, who fields the ball and throws wildlytoward 1st. &he thrown ball goes out ofplay.

RULING: The umpire should rule a (ead)all/ &hene er the ball is thro&n out of

play. "#$'#c%Sec. 2! DISLOD#ED BASE

2( "1 from 1st slides into 2nd, dislodgingthe base and sending it some distancefrom its position. '% now tags "1 who isscrambling toward the dislodged base.s the runner out?

RULING: R# is not out as he &as taggedafter reaching the base and after thebase became dislodged. This is notconsidered to be an attempt to reachthe ne t base, but simply an attempt toremain safe.

Note: 8hen a runner dislodges a basefrom its proper position, he andsucceeding runners are not compelledto follo& a base unreasonably out of

position. = sliding runner or succeedingrunner may simply remain at or touchthe proper location of &here the baseshould be in order to be consideredsafe. "#$'5%

Sec. 27 DU#OUT

2/ &he umpire notices some spectatorssitting in the dugout talking to severalplayers. hat action should be taken?

RULING: The dugout is an areadesignated only for players and officialrepresentati es of the team, so thespectators should be re6uested to lea ethe dugout. "#$'0%

Sec. 2& E'ECTION FRO( #A(E

2 &he umpire strikes out #1 on a calledthird strike. &he coach in the !rd basecoach5s bo6 hotly disputes the call, bothverbally and graphically.

RULING: The coach should be e!ectedfrom the game for conducting himself inan unsportsmanli*e manner. d%

!! A line drive touches '1 and strikes thebase umpire who is standing between1st and 2nd. &he ball rebounds into foulterritory where it is fielded by '+.

RULING: 4air ball. =ny batted ball,stri*ing a player or umpire &hile o erfair territory, is a fair ball regardless of&hat happens after the contact. "#$'>d%

!% #1 hits a fly ball between 1st and 2ndand it falls untouched to the groundabout 1.22m )% feet* beyond the baseline. &he ball has backspin and rollsacross the foul line about 2.1!m )/ feet*from 1st, where it is first touched by '+.

RULING: 4air ball. =ny legally batted ballfirst landing in fair territory beyond #stor 2rd is al&ays a fair ball, regardless of&here it finally settles or is first touched.

"#$'>e%

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!- #1 hits a long drive down the left fieldline. As the ball clears the fence it isabout 4.+1m )! feet* inside the foulpole, but it curves and lands in foulterritory beyond the fence.

RULING: 4air ball. = ball, &hich clearsthe fence, is !udged fair or foul by its

position &hen it lea es the playing field."#$'>f%

!( #1 hits a long fly ball down the rightfield line. &he ball curves and strikesthe foul pole above the fence,rebounding back into foul territory,where it is recovered by '+.

RULING: This is a fair ball and )# &ouldbe a&arded a home run. = fly balltouching the foul pole is al&aysconsidered to be a fair ball. "#$'>g%

!/ #1 hits a high fly ball down the !rd baseline. '- moves into foul territory to catchthe ball but the swirling wind carries itback over fair territory. '-, still in foulterritory, >ust gets his glove to the ballbut drops it. &he ball, which was firsttouched over fair territory, lands androlls into foul territory.

RULING: This is a fair ball, as it &as firsttouched by 45 in fair territory. Thedetermination of a fair or foul ball ismade by the relati e position of the balland the foul line, not the fielder.

"#$'> Note #%

! "1, running from ! rd base, interfereswith '- who is attempting to field abatted ball on fair territory. As a result

of the interference, '- fails to touch theball, which is first touched by '( overfoul territory.

RULING: This is a fair ball. "#$'> Note '%

Sec. 31 FAKE TA#

!+ "1 on 1st steals on the pitch, whichgets away from '2. '(, while covering2nd, makes to catch5 the ball andsimulates a tag5 on "1, forcing him toslide into the base, even though the ballis still at the back net.

RULING: The action of 49 in forcing R#

to slide &hile he neither has possessionof the ball, nor is not about to recei ethe ball, is a ?fa*e tag/. = ?fa*e tag/ isconsidered to be a form of obstructionand is not allo&ed for safety reasons.The umpire should &arn both teamsthat fa*e tagging might result in e!ectionfrom the game. "#$2#%

Sec. 3! FORCE OUT

%4 n attempting to field a ground ball, '%falls down. hile on the ground, heslaps the ball toward '!, who picks it upin time to retire the batter0runner.

RULING: This is a legal put out, as thebatter &as forced to run &hen he hit theball. "#$25%

%1 "1 on 1st. #2 hits a sharp ground ballto '!, who touches his base, thentouches "1 while he is still on the base.

RULING: )' is the only out. 42@s acteliminated the force, thereby permittingR# to remain on #st. "#$25%

%2 "1 on !rd, "2 on 2nd and "! on 1st

with none out. #% hits a ground ball to'(, so "2 dives back into 2nd. '(throws to '2 who retires "1. '2 thenthrows to '! at 1st and retires #% on adouble play. 3n seeing "2 still at 2nd,"!, who has advanced toward 2nd,runs back toward 1st. After a rundown,he regains the base and is then taggedby '!. s "! out?

RULING: No. R2 is free to return to #stbecause the force &as remo ed &hen)3 &as retired. "#$25%

Sec. 37 FOUL BALL

%! #% hits a short fly ball between '1 and'2. ithout touching any player, theball strikes the ground with backspinand then rolls into foul territory betweenhome and !rd where it finally settles.

RULING: 4oul ball. The decision on theuntouched batted ball is determined by&here the ball finally settles. "#$20a%

%% A left0handed batter swings late andhits a ground ball down the !rd baseline. '- can5t reach the ball as itbounces past the base, outside the foulline.

RULING: 4oul ball. 8hen a legally battedball bounds past #st or 2rd on or o erfoul ground it is a foul ball, e en if itreturns to fair territory after passing thebase. "#$20b%

%- #1 hits a line drive down the left fieldline. t strikes the ground in foul territorybeyond !rd, and then bounces into fairterritory. #1 advances to 2nd.

RULING: 4oul ball. 8hen a legally battedball first touches foul ground beyond #stor 2rd, it is a foul ball no matter &here itfinishes. "#$20c%

%( #1 hits the ball down straight down ontothe catcher5s shin guards. &he ball thenrebounds out into fair territory where itis fielded by '1.

RULING: 4oul ball. 8hen a legally battedball touches the e6uipment of a playeron or o er foul ground, it is immediatelyruled a foul ball, no matter &hathappens after the contact. "#$20d%

%/ # , with a 20strike count, swings at thene6t pitch. &he ball goes directly fromthe bat and hits him on the leg while heis still in the batter5s bo6. &he ballrebounds into the infield and is fieldedby '1, who throws to '! well before #reaches 1st.

RULING: 4oul ball. 8hen a legally battedball stri*es the batter &hile he is still inthe batter/s bo , it is a foul ball nomatter &hat happens after that. "#$20e%

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% #1 hits the ball down onto home plate. trebounds and hits the bat, which is overfair territory and still in #1=s hands. #1is still in the batter=s bo6.

RULING: 4oul ball. =lthough the bat hashit the ball a second time &hile o er fairterritory, )# cannot be called out if he isstill in the batter/s bo at the time of thesecond contact. "#$20e%

%+ #2 swings at a pitch and the ball fliesoff the bat straight back to '25s glove.'!, who was e6pecting a bunt, divesforward and catches the ball after itdeflects from the glove of '2. s #2 out?

RULING: No, this is a foul ball as it hasfirst been touched by 4' in foul territory.

"#$20f%

-4 #% hits a line drive that strikes thepitcher5s plate. t then rebounds into foulterritory between home and 1st and is

fielded by '!.RULING: 4oul ball. 8hile on or o er foulterritory touches any ob!ect foreign tothe natural ground.A Remember:Touching a foreign ob!ect in foulterritory ma*es it foul. Touching aforeign ob!ect in fair territory does notma*e it fair. "#$20g%

Sec. 3$ FOUL TIP

-1 A batted ball goes directly from the batto the protector of '2 or the umpire andrebounds into '25s glove.

RULING: 4oul ball. The ball becomesdead &hen it stri*es the protector. Tobe a foul tip, the ball must go directlyfrom the bat to 4'/s hands. "#$2>a%

-2 #1, with a 101 count, bunts the ball infront of the plate. '2 lunges andcatches the ball before it touches theground. &he ball does not go higherthan #15s head, so the umpire rules afoul tip. 8e returns #1 to the batter5sbo6 with a 1 ball 2 strike count.

RULING: This is not a foul tip, as the balldid not go directly bac* to 4'/s glo efrom the bat. 4' &ent for&ard to theball. This should be ruled a legal catch,

!ust the same as if 42 or 45 made thecatch."#$2>a B b%

-! #1 swings at a ball that is over hishead, tips it and is caught by '2. s thisa foul tip, or is #1 out because of thefoul ball being caught?

RULING: This is not a foul tip, as thebatted ball has gone higher than )#/shead, so he is out on a caught fly ball.

"#$2>b%

-% ith "1 on 2nd, #2 swings at a pitchand >ust tips the ball. &he ball is caughtby '2. May "1 advance withoutretouching 2nd?

RULING: This is a foul tip, and a foul tip isthe same as any stri*e. R# mayad ance &ithout retouching, as the ballis ali e. If the batted ball is not caught, it

is not a foul tip and is ruled a foul ball. "#$2> Note%

Sec. 0 HEL(ET

-- #1 enters the batter5s bo6 wearing abicycle helmet without earflaps or fullskull protection. s this legal?

RULING: No, the helmet does not meetspecifications. The umpire should notallo& play to continue until )# &ears alegal helmet. "#$31a%

-( '2 wears a helmet that looks like askullcap with no earflaps. s this legal?

RULING: +es. "#$31b%

-/ A left0handed fielder has a helmet with)a* no earflaps or, )b* one earflap thatcovers the left ear only. hat shouldthe umpire do?

RULING: Nothing, as both helmets arelegal. =ny defensi e player, other thanthe catcher, may &ear a helmet &ith or&ithout earflaps. "#$31c%

Sec. ILLE#AL PITCHER

- $uring the %th inning the umpireremoves Smith from the pitchingposition as a conse9uence of e6cessivecharged defensive conferences. 8ealso declares him as being ineligible toreturn to pitch for the remainder of thegame. n the (th inning Smith returns tothe pitching position and throws onepitch, at which time it is brought to theumpire5s attention.

RULING: =t the time of being remo edfrom the pitching position by the umpire,mith became an Illegal Pitcher &ho

may not pitch for the remainder of thegame. "#$33a%

Note:The umpire should be a&are &henan Illegal Pitcher ta*es his place in the

pitcher/s circle and ta*e steps to pre ent a pitch being thro&n.

Sec. ! ILLE#AL PLAYER

-+ Smith, playing at third base, cuts hishand while in the dugout, so the coachdecides to use #rown, a substitute, as areplacement fielder in the ne6t inningswhile Smith receives treatment. #rownenters the field without reporting to theumpire. After a pitch has been thrownthe defensive team lodges an appeal.

RULING: =lthough )ro&n may legally actas a Replacement Player for mithC hehas done so &ithout reporting to theumpire. =s such, )ro&n is declared anIllegal Player. "#$35b%

Sec. " ILLE#AL RE-ENTRY

(4 '1 is substituted from the game in the!rd inning and legally re0enters in the-th inning. n the (th inning, '1 is againremoved but then re0enters in thebottom of the /th inning. 8e throws onepitch and the opposing coach alerts theumpire.

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RULING: This is an Illegal Re$entry, as astarting player may only re$enter thegame on one occasion. "#$39a%

Sec. 7 ILLE#AL SUBSTITUTE

(1 n the 2nd inning, '- is legallysubstituted by S2. n the !rd inning, '-returns to the game without beingannounced to the umpire. &he gamecontinues into the %th inning.

RULING: =s soon as 45 re$entered thegame &ithout being announced to theumpire and one pitch &as thro&n, hebecame an Illegal ubstitute. "#$30d%

(2 n the top half of the 2nd inning, #rownslides into a base and opens up awound that begins to bleed. As thebleeding cannot be controlled, @ones isannounced as a "eplacement layerfor #rown. After the elapse of the timepermitted for @ones to remain in thegame, the bleeding has still not beencontrolled, so @ones continues in thegame. 8owever, the coach fails to notifythe umpire that @ones is staying in thegame.

RULING: Pro ided Dones has not pre iously been in the game he maycontinue in the game as a substitute for)ro&n, sub!ect to the umpire beingnotified of this fact. =s the umpire &asnot notified on this occasion, if theopposition lodge an appeal then Dones&ould be declared an Illegal ubstitute."#$30f%

Sec. & ILLE#ALLY BATTED BALL

(! #2 swings at the 1st pitch and fouls itback into the back net. At the time ofcontact #2 had one foot on the groundand entirely out of the batter=s bo6.

RULING: This is an illegally batted ball,as )' must ha e both feet inside thebatter/s bo at the time of contacting the

pitch. "#$37a%

(% '1 delivers the ball to #1, who has onefoot touching home plate as he swingsand completely misses the pitch.

RULING: = stri*e is called. This is not anillegally batted ball. The ball must be hit"fair or foul% for it to be an illegallybatted ball. "#$37b%

(- #1 takes his position at the back of thebatter5s bo6. As '1 begins his wind0up,#1 steps back toward '2 )one foot outof the batter5s bo6* and then returns tothe bo6 as he runs toward '1 andmakes contact with the pitch. s this alegal action?

RULING: No, e en though )# &ascompletely in the bo at the time ofcontacting the pitch. The action ofstepping out and then returning to thebo during the pitching motion prior tohitting the ball creates an illegally battedball. "#$37d%

Sec. $ ILLE#ALLY CAU#HT BALL

(( #1 hits a pitched ball to the outfield.&he fielder removes his cap andcatches the ball in his cap before theball touches the ground in fair territory.

RULING: This is an illegally caught ball,as the catch &as completed in a part ofhis uniform detached from its proper

place. "#$3>%

Sec. !0 INELI#IBLE PLAYER

(/ S2, an unannounced substitute runner,enters the game at 2nd with one out. 8esteals to !rd on the first pitch and thenscores when #( singles. rior to thene6t pitch the defence appeal that S2 isan unannounced substitute.

RULING: )y entering the game as anIllegal ubstitute "unannounced%, 'becomes an Ineligible Player &ho maycontinue to sit on the bench or coach inthe coach/s bo .

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of the runners. '2 appeals to the umpirethat #- should be out on an nfield 'ly5.

RULING: 4' is incorrect. =n Infield 4lycannot be declared on a bunted fly ball.

"#$59%

/2 #ases loaded with one out. #- hits asharp line drive straight back to '1, who

gets his glove to the ball but cannothold the catch. &he ball gets away from'1 and it is recovered by '! but too lateto get an out on any of the runners. '!appeals to the umpire that #- should beout on an nfield 'ly5.

RULING: 42 is incorrect. =n Infield 4lycannot be declared on a line dri e.

"#$59%

/! "1 on 2nd and "2 on 1st with one out.&he infield shifts to the left and '/comes in and plays at !rd. #% hits a flyball that '/ drops.

RULING: This is an Infield 4ly and )3 isout. - en though it &as an outfielder

that dropped the ball, it is classed as anInfield 4ly because he &as stationed inthe infield. "#$59%

/% &he umpire declares an nfield 'ly butthe ball curves and lands in foul territorywhere it settles.

RULING: The announcement is re ersed.This is not an Infield 4ly, as the ball hassettled, untouched, in foul territory,ma*ing it a foul ball. "#$59 B Note 2%

/- "1 on 2nd and "2 on 1st with one out,when #% hits a high foul fly ballbetween home and 1st. &he ball dropsto the ground without being touchedand rolls into fair territory halfwaybetween 1st and home.

RULING: This is an Infield 4ly, as the flyball has settled in fair territory. "#$59 B Note 3%

Sec. !$ INTERFERENCE

/( "1 on 1st with one out, when #! hits afly ball to '%. "1, advancing to 2nd,stops in front of '%, who is attempting tocatch the ball. 8e waves his hands in'%=s face, causing him to drop the flyball.

RULING: =lthough no physical contacthas been made bet&een R# and 43, or&ith the ball, the action of R# &a ing hishands has impeded 43 from completingthe play. =s a result, this is a form ofinterference, so R# should be calledout. "#$5>a%

// "1 is at 2nd with one out. #2 hits apitched ball on the ground toward '(."1 advances to !rd and >umps over theball to avoid being hit. '( dives for theball but makes no play and the umpiremakes no call. &he defensive coach9uestions why there is no interferencecall on "1. &he umpires then gettogether for a conference.

RULING: Unless R# stopped 49 fromreaching the ball it is not interference.Interference is not an appeal play andmust be called immediately at the timeof the interference. = runner may run

around, in front of or behind a fielder, or !ump o er the ball to a oid contactingthe fielder or the ball.

Note: =n umpire should ne er callinterference from a conference if hesa& the play. The call should only bere ersed if he did not see the play andeither of his partners did. 8hen you seeinterference, hesitate and then loudlycall (ead )all; and signal to sell thecall. (o not &ait for a conference."#$5>a%

Sec. "0 LEAPIN#

/ n the pitching motion, '1 launcheshimself off the pitcher5s plate in such amanner that the pivot foot is not levelwith the ground but instead is airborne.&his action takes place prior to thestepping foot touching the ground afterleaving the pitcher5s plate, resulting inboth feet being in the air as the pitch isdelivered. s this legal?

RULING: No. The action of the pitcherha ing both feet in the air at the time ofdeli ery is considered to be a leap;,&hich is an illegal action. "#$91%

Sec. "1 LE#AL TOUCH ) TA#

/+ '2 touches "! with the ball in his glove.&he ball does not come in contact with"!.

RULING: Touching &ith the glo e or handthat holds the ball is the same astouching &ith the ball and is consideredto be a legal touch. "#$9#a%

4 #1 hits a ground ball to '!, who gathersit in. 8e runs over to the base line andtouches #1 but >uggles and drops theball.

RULING: This is not a legal touch, as theball has not been controlled at the timeof the touch. "#$9#a%

1 '! fields the batted ball near thepitcher5s circle. 8e then lunges at #1 ashe runs to 1st and >ust manages totouch him with the ball in the bare hand.

RULING: =s the ball has been *ept undercontrol, the action of touching )# &iththe ball in the bare hand is consideredto be a legal touch. "#$9#a%

2 '! fields a batted ball and touches 1stbase with his foot before #1 arrives.

RULING: This is considered to be a legalaction of tagging the base. "#$9#b%

Sec. "2 LE#ALLY CAU#HT BALL

! #1 hits a foul fly ball near the backstop.'2 literally climbs the fence with bothhands and catches the ball, in his glove,about ! metres )14 feet* up the fence.ithout climbing, he could not possiblyhave caught the ball before it hit thefence. s this permitted?

RULING: +es, this is permitted. Thefence is an e tension of the playingfield, ma*ing it legal for 4' to climb the

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fence in his attempt to catch the ball. Itis a legal catch as the ball has beencaught in the glo e. "#$9'%

Sec. "3 LINE DRI+E

% #1 hits a pitched ball sharply, pointedly,9uickly, briskly andBor directly into theplaying field.RULING: )# has hit a line dri e fly ball.(epending on the distance the battedball tra elsC a line dri e fly ball &ill ta*eless time to reach the ground than anormal or routine fly ball, &hichnormally has an appreciable arc on theflight. "#$92%

Sec. " LINE-UP AND LINE-UP CARD

- &he 8ead Coach decides to put thename of an assistant coach on the line0up card, as he does not wish to bee>ected from the game if he makes a"e0entry error.RULING: This is not legal, as it must bethe name of the ustbeats the throw from '2. '(, after takingthe throw at the base, then nudges "1,forcing him to overbalance and losecontact with the base. '( then tags "1.

RULING: - en though 49 has possession of the ball, the action of pushing R# off the base in an attempt toget an out is a form of obstruction, soR# &ould be declared safe. "#$95b 5%

Sec. "7 ON-DECK BATTER

+1 &he si6th batter in the line0up is startinghis turn at bat. &he eighth batter wishesto get in some e6tra practice swings andmoves into the on0deck circle. s thisallowed?

RULING: The eighth batter &ould not beallo&ed to use the on$dec* circle. Theonly offensi e player allo&ed to use theon$dec* circle &ould be the batter &ho

is ne t scheduled to bat. In this case theon$dec* batter is the se enth player inthe batting order. "#$90%

Sec. 70 OPTION PLAY

+2 A declared llegal itcher returns to thepitcher5s plate and delivers a pitch to#1. #1 hits the ball but only succeeds ingrounding out to '(. At this point theoffensive team brings it to the umpire5sattention that the pitcher is, in fact, anllegal itcher.

RULING: The Illegal Pitcher returning tothe game results in the offensi e teambeing gi en an option. The manager ofthe offensi e team is gi en an option toeither ta*e the result of the play or ha ethe batter resume batting, assuming thecount he had prior to the detection ofthe Illegal Pitcher. "#$01e%

Sec. 72 O+ER SLIDE

+! "1 slides into 1st but loses contact withthe base by sliding past it )a* during hisadvance from home plate, or )b* on hisreturn to 1st after attempting to advanceto 2nd. n both cases he is tagged withthe ball while off the base.

RULING: R# is considered to ha e o erslid the base. In "a% he is safe becausehe may o er slide or o errun at #st onhis first attempt at the base. In "b% he isout for being tagged &hile off base.

"#$0'%

+% "1 slides into 2nd. After he touches thebase, he loses contact because )a* thebase breaks loose from its fastening, or)b* his foot slides off the base.

RULING: In "a% R# is not out because aloose base is considered to ha efollo&ed the runner. In "b% R# isconsidered to ha e o er slid the base.

"#$0'%

Sec. 73 O+ERTHRO%

+- #1 hits a pitched ball on the groundtoward '-. '- fields the ball cleanly but

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only manages to throw it wildly toward'!. &he thrown ball )a* lands in foulterritory and rolls out of play, )b* landsamongst the spectators in the stands, or)c* makes contact with the coach who isstanding at the opening of the bencharea.

RULING: The play is described as ano erthro&, because the ball is thro&nfrom one fielder to another, in an effortto retire )# &ho has not yet reachedbase or is off base, and the ball goesbeyond the boundary lines of the

playing field, or becomes bloc*ed. Inthis case the ball becomes dead and )#is a&arded 'nd base."#$02%

+( #- lays down a bunt >ust in front ofhome plate. '2 fields and throws to '%covering 1st in an attempt to retire #-.&he throw is high, deflects from '%5sglove, gets past '+ who is backing up,and goes nearly to the fence. #-continues on and finishes up at !rdbefore the ball is retrieved and returnedto the infield. &he defence appeal that,as the ball was overthrown by '2 before#- reached 1st, he should only beentitled to 2nd.

RULING: =lthough the ball has beenthro&n beyond the fielder it &asintended for, it has not gone beyond theboundary lines of the playing field, norhas it been bloc*ed. )5 &ould beentitled to remain at 2rd. "#$02%

Sec. 7! PITCH

+/ '1, while in possession of the ball andon the pitcher5s plate, takes the signaland then puts his hands together andcomes to a full and complete stop. 8ethen goes through a legal wind0up andreleases the ball toward #1. hat partof '15s action is considered the pitch?

RULING: The pitch is the act performedby 4# in deli ering the ball to )#. Theball is considered a pitch from the timeone hand is ta*en off the ball up untilthe time )# hits the ball, 4' catches theball, or the ball becomes bloc*ed orgoes out of play. "#$05%

Sec. 7" PITCHERS CIRCLE

+ &he ball is dead with one out and #! iswaiting in the batter5s bo6. '1 has onefoot entirely outside the pitcher5s circlewith the ball in his possession. Shouldthe plate umpire signal and call : lay#all;?

RULING: NoF Li*e the catcher/s bo , thelines of the pitcher/s circle areconsidered &ithin the circle. In thissituation 4# clearly has one foot outsidethe circle. The umpire must &ait until 4#has both feet &ithin the lines of thecircle before putting the ball in play."#$09%

Sec. &1 ,UICK RETURN PITCH

++ #1 swings at, and misses, the 1st pitch.'2 returns the ball to '1, whoimmediately stands on the pitcher5splate and takes his signal. 8e thendelivers the pitch, which passes out ofthe strike one, as #1 is still setting

himself after taking his signal from thecoach.

RULING: =lthough the pitch &ould ha ebeen a called ?)all/, it should be ruled a?No Pitch/. The action of 4# pitching&hile )' has not yet ta*en his desired

position in the batter/s bo results in itbeing a ? uic* Return Pitch/. 4# shouldbe &arned against pitching until )# isready to recei e the pitch. "#$7#%

Sec. &2 RE-ENTRY

144 At the top of the !rd inning Smith )anoriginal starting player* is scheduled tobat. &he coach legally substitutes himwith #rown. #rown completes his turn atbat and then enters the field on defencein the bottom half of the !rd inning.

After 2 are out, the coach legally takes#rown out of the game and brings Smithback.

RULING: The action of bringing mithbac* into the game is *no&n as a ?Re$-ntry/. Hnly an original starting playermay return to the game after beingsubstituted. -ach of the original starting

players may lea e the game at any timeand then re$enter the game at a latertime. -ach of the starting players mayonly re$enter the game on oneoccasion. "#$7'%

Sec. &3 RE(O+AL FRO( #A(E

141 n the 1st inning of a youth game, @onesenters the batter5s bo6 wearing shoeswith metal cleats. &he umpire noticesthis and re9uests @ones to change

shoes. @ones says he has no othershoes to change into, so re9uestspermission to continue to play. &heumpire declines the re9uest andremoves @ones from the game. After 2further innings, the coach notifies theumpire that @ones, who now has thecorrect shoes, will be re0entering thegame.

RULING: The umpire &ill not allo& Donesto re$enter the game. )ecause theumpire, not the coach, remo ed Donesfrom the game he became an IneligiblePlayer &ho cannot return to the gameas a player. "#$72%

Sec. & REPLACE(ENT PLAYER

142 n the top of the 2nd inning, #loggsslides safely into 2nd and gashes hisleg, resulting in considerable bleeding.&he umpire re9uests the coach toreplace #loggs, as it is apparent thatthe bleeding will take some time to beattended to. Dill replaces #loggs who,after treatment, returns to the game atthe commencement of the bottom of the!rd inning. Dill subse9uently enters thegame again as a substitute for Smith inthe (th inning.

RULING: This is legal. 8hen Gill cameinto the game for )loggs he &as only a?Replacement Player/, not a substitute.

=fter )loggs returned and Gill left thegame, Gill &as still classified as asubstitute player &ho could legally enterthe game at a later stage."#$73a #%

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Sec. &" SLAP HIT

14! #1 s9uares around, shaping to bunt thepitch. At the last moment he swingsaway in a controlled manner, contactingthe ball and placing it >ust over theinfield.

RULING: This action of controlling the hitin a short s&inging motion is *no&n asa ?slap hit/ and should not beconsidered as a bunt. "#$79a B Note%

14% #! starts at the very back of the batter5sbo6. As the pitch is approaching, heruns at the ball )does not leave thebatter5s bo6* and makes contact bysweeping the bat at the ball. s thisconsidered to be a bunt?

RULING: No. The action of runningto&ard the pitcher in this manner isconsidered to be a running ?slap hit/ andshould not be considered a bunt. "#$79b B Note%

Sec. $0 STRIKE ONE

14- #1 takes his stance in the batter5s bo6with his feet wide apart. &his causes hisshoulders to be lower than if he wasstanding with his feet closer together.

RULING: If it is his natural stance, to becalled a stri*e, the ball, before touchingthe ground, must enter that space o erany part of home plate bet&een )#/sarmpits and the top of his *nees. Theumpire &ill regard the stri*e one, as it&ould be in )#/s natural stance, if heta*es an unusual crouch in order toreduce the si e of the stri*e one."#$>1a%

14( Must the entire ball pass through thebatter5s strike one to be called astrike?

RULING: No. It is a stri*e &hen any partof the ball, on a legal pitch, enters thestri*e one "o er home plate%. Theumpire shall determine the height of thebatter/s one according to the naturalstance of the batter &hen he s&ings atthe pitch. "#$>1a%

Sec. $2 TA##IN# UP

14/ "! leaves !rd on a fly ball to ' .8owever, he manages to return to hisbase before ' catches the ball. 8ethen advances to home.

RULING: )y returning to the base beforethe fly ball is touched, R2 has legallyretouched "tagged up% his base, so thead ance to home is legal. "#$>'%

Sec. $ TE(PORARY DESI#NATEDPLAYER

14 #rown is batting in the third battingposition and playing first base. n thefourth inning the coach notifies theumpire that Edwards, the $ , will befielding at first and ilson, the 'FEGplayer, will be staying in the game in his

original fielding position. hat nowbecomes of #rown?

RULING: )ecause -d&ards is entitled toboth bat B field under the (P rule,-d&ards continues to bat for himself.)ro&n is permitted to stay in the battingline$up as a Temporary (P;, but &illonly be an offensi e player and nolonger a defensi e player. "#$>3%

Sec. $" TI(E

14+ #1 receives ball %. As he is advancingto 1st, the coach of the defensive teamcalls :&ime; and proceeds to walk to hispitcher.

RULING: Time; is the term used by anumpire to create a suspension of play.In this case, the umpire &ill not allo&the Time; call until )# reaches #st andstops at the base. 0a%

111 #! hits a ground ball to '( who fieldsand throws to '!. &he throw is not agood one, as '! has to really stretchout to receive the throw. '! manages toget his glove over the ball, which is stillon the ground, as #! arrives at 1st.

RULING: )2 &ould be declared safe, as42 has only managed to trap the ball,not catch it. "#$>0c%

Sec. 101 %ILD THRO%

112 '( fields a batted ball and throws to '!.&he throw is in the dirt and draws '! offthe base. '! knocks the ball down butcannot control it and it rebounds intothe infield.

RULING: This is a &ild thro&, as the ballhas not been controlled, has not beenbloc*ed and remains in play. corersuse the term ?&ild thro&/ e tensi ely. "#$#1#%

Sec. 102 %ITHDRA%N PLAYER

11! illiams splits the webbing of his handwhile fielding and has to be replaced,as his hand is bleeding profusely. &hecoach elects to send Curtis, a listedsubstitute, into the game to replaceilliams.RULING: )ecause he has left the field torecei e attention on the bleeding hand,8illiams becomes a 8ithdra&n Playerfor the period of time permitted under

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the Replacement Player rule. "#$#1'%

* RULE 2 - PLAYIN# FIELD *

Sec. 1PLAYIN# FIELD

11% A defensive player, standing in playableterritory, reaches through an open gatein the fence to catch a foul ball.

RULING: It is a legal catch and the batteris out, as the player has not left the

playing field to ta*e the catch. "'$#a%

11- '2 steps behind the backstop andcatches a foul ball.RULING: The area behind the bac*stop

is not part of the playing field, so 4'could not legally play the ball."'$#c%

Sec. 2#ROUND OR SPECIAL RULES

11( After a game has started, a lot ofspectators overflow to the vicinity of afoul line and interfere with the usualoverthrow conditions.

RULING: The plate umpire should meet

&ith each captain, or coach, togetherand state special ground rules that maybe necessary to co er the conditions."'$'%

Sec. 3INCORRECT DISTANCES

11/ $uring a game, the pitching distance isfound to be incorrect. t is brought to theattention of the umpire )a* at the end ofa completed inning, or )b* after 2batters in the top half of an inning.

RULING: In "a% the umpire should correctthe error immediately. In "b% the errorshould be corrected at the start of thene t complete inning. In both cases, thegame is continued. "'$2 Note%

Sec. BASES AND DOUBLE BASE

11 &he umpire detects the base at 1st is nolonger pegged in the ground.

RULING:

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foul territory, the fielder may take eitherbase, so the appeal should be upheld.

RULING: The defence are incorrect. =fielder may only ta*e the foul portion&hen the thro& from foul territory isbeing made on a play on the batter$runner. In this case, )# is no longer abatter$runner due to the catch, so thethro& is no& being made on a runnerreturning to tag up, in &hich case 43can only touch the fair portion of thebase."'$3h #"c% - ception% "'$3h #"f%%

12% #1 hits a shallow fly ball down the rightfield line. &he ball lands fair and spinsinto foul territory where it is picked upby '+. '!, thinking that '+ may stillobtain an out on #1, sets up on the foulportion of the base as #1 nears thebase. &he throw from '+ beats #1, sothe umpire rules #1 out. &he offensiveteam challenge the call, stating that '!can only set up on the foul portion ofthe base to take the throw from the

home plate area of foul territory.RULING: The umpire made the correctcall. 42 may set up on the foul portionof the base to recei e the thro& on anyli e ball play &here the thro& is comingfrom first base foul territory, regardlessof &hether the thro& is coming from theoutfield area or the infield area of foulterritory. "'$3h #"c% - ception%

12- #! hits a sharp ball into the infieldwhere it is fielded by '-. '! fumbles thesubse9uent throw and the ball tricklesaway into foul territory toward thecoach5s bo6. '! scrambles andrecovers the ball and before #! reachesthe base, dives and touches the foulportion of the base with the ball in theglove. &he umpire rules #! out. s thisthe correct call?

RULING: +es. - en though 42 onlytouched the foul portion of the base, the

play &as being made on a reco eredli e ball from first base foul territory andon any li e ball play from first base foulterritory both the batter$runner andfielder may use either portion of thebase. "'$3h #"c%- ception%

12( #1 hits a single to '+ and runs throughthe foul portion of the double base. 3nreturning to the base he stands on thefoul portion to take a signal. '! tags #1with the ball in the glove.

RULING: )# is out for being off base.Hnce )# initially reaches the doublebase, the foul portion is no longerdeemed to e ist, so he must returndirectly to the fair portion."'$3h #"d%B "h%%

12/ #1 overruns 1st on an infield hit andtouches the foul portion of the base onhis return to the fair portion. As hetouches the foul portion, '! tags himwith the ball and appeals that he did notreturn directly to the fair portion of thebase.

RULING: The appeal is disallo&ed.Touching the foul portion of the base&hile returning to the fair portion isdeemed as returning direct, unless )2stops on the foul portion.

"'$3h #"d%%

12 #- hits a double to '/ and touches thefair portion of the double base on theway to 2nd.

RULING: Legal. )5 may touch either portion of the base on all outfield hits&hen no play is made at the doublebase. "'$3h #"e%%

12+ "1 tags up on the foul portion of thedouble base on a fly ball and advancesto 2nd after the ball is caught by '/.&he ball is returned to '!, who appealsthe runner left illegally.

RULING: R# is out for not tagging up onthe fair portion of the base.

"'$3h #"f%%

1!4 '2 attempts a pick0off of "- at 1st. "-reaches around '! and the tag attempt,misses the fair portion of the doublebase and contacts the foul portion ofthe base. '! then tags "-.

RULING: R5 is out. Hn attempted pic*$off plays, runners must return to the fair portion of the base."'$3h #"g%%

* RULE 3 - E,UIP(ENT *

Sec. 1THE OFFICIAL BAT

1!1 #! has a 202 count when he re9uestsH&imeH, which is granted. 8e then

changes from a wooden bat to a metalbat.RULING: Legal action. )2 may use a

&ooden or metal bat. "2$#a B b%

1!2 Metal bats sometimes get damaged. nthis case the bat has a small dent and isslightly flat instead of being completelyround. Can this bat still be used?

RULING: =lthough the bat is no longerround it may still be used, pro ided it&ill still pass through a bat ring. If it &illnot pass through the ring due to the flat

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spot, it should be declared illegal andremo ed from the game. "2$#d%

1!! &he umpire notices a team has a three0sided bat while checking the teame9uipment.

RULING: This is an illegal bat, as three

sided bats are no longer permitted foruse in a game."2$#d%

1!% hile checking the team e9uipment,the umpire discovers a bat that is cm)!- inches* long.

RULING: This is an Illegal bat and itshould be remo ed from the game.

"2$#e%

1!- #1 is in possession of a baseball bat,which is detected by the umpire before#1 enters the batter5s bo6. hat is thepenalty?

RULING: There is no iolation, since thebat &as disco ered before the batterstarted his turn at bat. This is an illegalbat, as it e ceeds the bat si especifications, so it should be remo edfrom the game. "2$#f%

1!( #! enters the batter5s bo6 with a metalangular bat.

RULING: This is a legal bat and can beused by )2."2$#g%

1!/ rior to a game, the umpire notices ateam member using a metal bat tohammer a base fastener into theground. 8e checks the bat and finds itnow has some rough and sharp burrsresulting from the hammering. hatshould he do?

RULING: =s the bat is no& considered to present a ha ard to the players, itshould be declared illegal and remo edfrom the game. "2$#h%

1! rior to a game the umpire checks thebats and notices that one has somevery fine stress cracks.

RULING: The bat should be declaredillegal and remo ed from the game.

"2$#h%

1!+ A metal bat with a proper rubber sleeve0type grip is legal. s it legal to put onelayer of tape on that grip?

RULING: +es, pro ided that smooth plastic type tape is not used.

"2$#!%

1%4 Can a bat have a rubber plug in thebarrel end?

RULING: +es, pro ided the bat is metaland not a one$piece construction &iththe barrel end closed. If the barrel endis not closed, it shall ha e a rubber orinyl plastic insert firmly secured at thelarge end of the bat. "2$#*%

1%1 hen checking the bats prior to agame, the umpire discovers a bat with a

cone0shaped handle that has eliminatedthe 4.(cm )1B% inch* knob.

RULING: This is an altered bat. Theumpire should remo e the bat from thegame. "2$#l B Note%

1%2 &he umpire is checking a bat that hasno :3fficial Softball; label, and will pass

through the bat ring. s the bat legal foruse?RULING: =s long as the bat meets all

re6uirements of a softball bat, it is legale en though the &ords Hfficial oftball;can no longer be seen. "2$#m%

Sec. 2%AR(-UP BATS

1%! &he umpire is checking the bats prior toa game. 8e notices a bat that is of one0piece construction, has a safety gripand is properly marked : arm0up;. &hebarrel end passes through an officialbat ring.

RULING: The bat should be declaredillegal and remo ed from the game. Theconstruction and grip are legalCho&e er, the barrel end should be ine cess of 5.0cm "' J inches% and thebat ring should not go o er the end ofan official &arm$up bat. "2$'%

1%% An on0deck batter is discoveredwarming up with a metal warm0up batthat has a wooden handle.

RULING: This is not a legal &arm$up bat,so the umpire should not allo& its use.

"2$'%

Sec. #LO+ES

1%- '2 is using a glove. &he offensive teamcoach insists that '2 must use a mitt.

RULING: It is not mandatory for 4' to usea mitt, but if mitts are used only thecatcher and first baseman are allo&edto use them. "2$3%

1%( '1 is discovered using a blue glove withblack webbing and green lacing. s thisa legal glove for '1?

RULING: +es. =ll players, including pitchers, may &ear solid colouredglo es, other than &hite, grey or thecolour of the ball, or they may &ear

multi coloured glo es &ith colouredlacing pro ided none of the colours are&hite, grey or the colour of the ball."2$3b%

1%/ hen '( takes the field at the start ofthe game, it is noticed that he has aglove with a white circle, resembling aball, on the outside.

RULING: This is an illegal glo e andshould be remo ed from the game.

"2$3c%

Sec. !SHOES

1% layers on team :A; are wearing ami6ture of golf shoes, track shoes andfootball boots.

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RULING: =ll of the abo e foot&ear isillegal in all di isions of softball.

"2$5%

1%+ $uring the course of the game, a playerdevelops a blister on his foot. 8eremoves his shoes and continues toplay bare0footed.

RULING: This is illegal. =ll players must&ear shoes at all times."2$5%

1-4 A >unior competition player isdiscovered wearing metal cleats.

RULING: This is illegal, as metal cleatsare not permissible in any di ision of

!unior play. The umpire should re6uestthe player to change shoes, or beremo ed from the game. "2$5%

1-1 'our players in a team have smoothsoled shoes, while the remainder haveshoes with moulded nylon cleats. s thisallowed?

RULING: +es. "2$5a%

Sec. "PROTECTI+E E,UIP(ENT

1-2 '2 indicates that he does not wish towear his mask.

RULING: It is a safety re6uirement that allcatchers &ear a mas*. "2$9a%

1-! A coach comes out and takes warm0uppitches at the plate, without wearing )a*a mask with throat protector, or )b* ahelmet.

RULING: It is illegal in both "a% and "b%. =ny member of a defensi e team must&ear mas*, throat protector and helmet&hen ta*ing &arm$up pitches from the

pitcher/s plate. "2$9a Note%

1-% &he umpire notices a pitcher warmingup in the warm0up area with a catcherwho is not wearing a mask or helmet.hat should he do?

RULING: unior age person, while not wearing ahelmet, acts as a batboy and runs ontothe field to recover a discarded bat.

RULING: Dunior age persons acting asbatboys must al&ays &ear a helmet&hen in the dugout and on the field forsafety reasons. =d ise the batboy andthe team manager that a helmet mustbe &orn at all times. (o not allo& thegame to proceed until a helmet is &orn.

"2$9f ii%

1(1 #! is at bat, when #% enters the on0deck circle without a helmet. hatshould the umpire do?

RULING: Re6uest )3 to &ear a helmet. Ifhe refuses, he should be e!ected. "2$9f ii -ffect # - ception%

1(2 A runner )a* removes his helmet andcarries it with him while running thebases, or )b* removes his helmet whilestanding on a base.

RULING: In "a% the runner is ?out/ and theball remains ali e. It does not matterthat he did not thro& the helmet to theground. The intent of the rule is safety.In "b% there is no penalty for a runnerthat remo es his helmet &hile standingon a base and no plays are in progress.

"2$9f ii -ffect '%

1(! "1 on 1st, with none out. #2 bunts theball up the 1st base line anddeliberately removes his helmet as hebegins to run toward 1st. '! fields theball cleanly and throws to '( for theforce out at 2nd.

RULING: This is a double play. )' iscalled out immediately &hen heremo ed the helmet and R# is out onthe force. (eliberately remo ing thehelmet does not cancel a force playsituation."2$9f ii -ffect ' - ception Note%

1(% "1 on !rd and "2 on 1st with one out.#% hits a pitched ball for a double and

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on rounding 1st deliberately removeshis helmet. "1 scores easily and "2attempts to score when '+5s thrown ballmakes contact with #%5s discardedhelmet.

RULING: )3 is ?out/ immediately &henthe helmet is deliberately remo ed andthe ball is ali e. =s soon as the thro&nball ma*es contact &ith the discardedhelmet the ball is dead and runnersreturn to the last base held at the timeof contact. R#/s run counts and R'returns to 2rd. "2$9f ii -ffect ' B- ception%

1(- "2 on 2nd, with none out. #! hits thepitched ball for a single and his helmetfalls off as he leaves the batter5s bo6.'+ fields the batted ball and throws ittoward '2 in an effort to retire "2 at theplate. &he thrown ball makes contactwith #!5s helmet and "2 scores on theplay.

RULING: 8hen a helmet accidentallyfalls off a batter$runner or runner the

ball remains ali e and in play.

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1/- 3ne of the participating teams has hadseveral in>uries. 3ne of the startingplayers is wearing a plastic cast on hiswrist, while another has a knee bracewith e6posed metal.

RULING: The player &ith the cast"plaster, metal or other hard substancein its final form% &ould not be allo&ed to

play unless the apparatus is remo ed.The player &ould still not be permittedto play e en if the hard substance &asco ered &ith soft material. The player&ith the *nee brace &ould be allo&ed to

play, if the brace &as ade6uately

co ered by soft material, taped, andappro ed by the plate umpire."2$7f B Note%

1/( A player is discovered wearing a neckchain under his playing uniform. s thispermitted?

RULING: No. Players are not permitted to&ear nec* chains, bracelets of any typeincluding those made of leather or othersimilar material, studs of any *ind, e enif taped, or any other form of !e&ellery.The only !e&ellery that may be &orn isan appro ed medical alert bracelet ornec*lace, &hich must be taped to thebody. "2$7g%

* RULE COACHES/ PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES *

Sec. 1COACHES

1// &eam A5 is on offence and ready toplay. Must there be a coach in the 1standBor !rd coach5 s bo6 before play canbegin?

RULING: No. It is not mandatory to ha ea coach at either location. "3$#c #%

1/ $uring the course of a game, theumpire notices that one team isstationing two coaches in the 1st basecoach5s bo6.

RULING: Hnly one coach is permitted ineach of the coach/s bo es. The umpireshould &arn the offending team and ifthey continue to employ t&o coaches inthe bo , one of them may be e!ected. "3$#c '%

1/+ #! hits a ground ball to ' with "2 on2nd. &he coach at !rd moves out of hisbo6 toward home as he waves "2around and subse9uently holds "2 at!rd. &he defensive team complains tothe umpire that the coach shouldremain in his bo6.

RULING: The umpire should ignore thecomplaint, as the coach is permitted tolea e his bo to direct R', pro ided hedoes not interfere &ith the play."3$#c ' - ception%

1 4 ith "1 on !rd, the coach at !rd basesuggests to '- that he should fielddeep, as #1 is a powerful hitter. nreality, the coach is trying to unsettle'-, as he wants #1 to bunt.

RULING: The umpire should ad ise thecoach that he might only gi e &ords ofad ice to his o&n players. If the coachcontinues to spea* to the opposition

players in this manner he should bee!ected. "3$#c 2%

1 1 &he coach at !rd has an indicator in hishand while coaching. s this legal?

RULING: +es, the coach may ha e in his possession anything that is used forscore *eeping or record *eeping purposes only. "3$#c 3%

1 2 &he umpire notices that the coach at 1stis in communication with a statistician inthe stands by way of a small transceiverin his ear.RULING: This is illegal. The coach mustremo e the earpiece and ha e nocommunication e6uipment on the field.If he refuses, he &ill be e!ected from thegame. "3$#f 3 B -ffect%

Sec. 2LINE-UP CARD AND ROSTERS

1 ! &he line0up card is completed andsubmitted to the umpire at the start of agame. &he umpire then hands the cardto the scorer and asks him to hold thecard until the end of the game.

RULING: The umpire is in error.

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coach wants to put him into the gameas a substitute for ' .

RULING: Dones may play. -ligiblereser es need not be listed on theoriginal line$up card but must be added&hen they enter the game. "3$'a2%

1 / "oberts is the 8ead Coach of &eam A5.8e has a history of being e>ected from agame, so he lists ilson, an assistantcoach, on the line0up card in an effort toprevent from being e>ected.

RULING: This action is not permitted. It isal&ays the name of the ured, so the coach advises areplacement for him at the pre0gamemeeting. $oes the replacement becomea starting player?

RULING: +es. "3$3b%

Sec. !DESI#NATED PLAYER FLEX

1+- &eam A5 starts the game with nineplayers. &he coach wishes to enter asubstitute in the game, as a $ , in the2nd inning and place him at the end ofthe batting order.

RULING: The substitution is illegal. The(P must be listed on the line$up card

prior to the start of the game, before the plate umpire has appro ed the startingline$up at the pre$game meeting. "3$5a%

1+( &he $ hits a pitched ball for a double.&he coach then substitutes the $ witha pinch runner. Can the $ return to thegame?

RULING: +es, the starting (P may re$enter the game on one occasion, !ust asany starting player may do."3$5b%

1+/ ' is batting second and the $ isbatting fifth in the line0up. n the 2ndinning, the coach wishes to have the'FEG bat for ' , as he believes the'FEG can bat anywhere in the line0up,provided the starting player that the'FEG is batting for leaves the game. sthis legal?

RULING: The proposal is illegal andshould not be accepted by the umpire.The coach is right about the 4L-being able to bat, but he is &rong about&hich player the 4L- can bat for.8hen the 4L- plays offensi ely, thenhe can only do so for the (P, &ho isthen considered to ha e left the game.The (P can re$enter later, as long asthis is the first time he is being re$entered."3$5 e B f%

1+ &he defensive only player )'FEG* startsthe game in the pitching position. n the-th inning the 'FEG bats for the $ .

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RULING: This is a legal replacement, pro ided the change is announced tothe umpire and the change in battermeans the (P has left the game.

Note:4ailure to notify the umpire of the4L- for the (P replacement is treatedas an unannounced substitution, e enthough no substitute has actuallyentered from the bench. "3$5fB Note%

1++ &he 'FEG legally acts as a pinch runnerfor the $ . Fater in the game, the $re0enters and the 'FEG )a* returns tothe J14 spot in the starting line0up, or)b* leaves the game.

RULING: In both situations "a B b%, thechange of the 4L- and (P is legal, ifreported to the plate umpire. Note thatin "a% the 4L- is not considered toha e left the game and as such the4L- /s mo ement is not a substitution.In "b% the team goes to nine players andthe 4L- could re$enter the game later,

pro ided he had not already been

substituted for earlier in the game."3$5f B Note%

244 A team is using 14 players in their line0up with the $ batting third. &he 'FEGis playing right field. n the first and thirdinnings, the $ gets on base and, ineach case< the 'FEG is put in to run forhim. s this legal?

RULING: This is a legal replacement ine ery case, if the replacement isreported to the umpire.

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take any action with respect to who willnow assume responsibility for the team?

RULING: +es. )efore lea ing thegrounds, the e!ected

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RULING: =ll of these substitutions arelegal. ultiple substitutions for the listedstarting player "4o % are allo&ed,

pro ided they all occupy the samebatting position. 4o may re$enter onone occasion, pro ided he returns to hisoriginal batting position, and can playany defensi e position. Neither )ro&nnor mith may re$enter the game afterha ing been substituted."3$7f%

2!4 '1, an original starting player, issubstituted from the game in the !rdinning as a result of e6cess defensiveconferences. S1, his replacement, isthen replaced by S2 in the %th inning.'1 re0enters the game in the -th inning,replacing S2 and moves to 2nd, with '%moving to the pitching position.

RULING: The multiple substitutions arelegal. 4# can re$enter as he &as thestarting pitcher but, by being declaredan Illegal Pitcher resulting from thee cessi e conferences, he cannot

return as the pitcher.

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substitute, or the original starting player,&ill ta*e his place at left field. =s a pitch&as made to )3, that is all the umpirecan do, so the game continues and all

play stands."3$7g -ffect '$3 ' "b%%

2!+ '-, who has been ruled ineligible as a

result of being an unannouncedsubstitute, returns to the game in a laterinnings.RULING: Upon a legal appeal, the game

is forfeited to the team not at fault. "3$7g -ffect '$3 Note%

2%4 @ones, an unannounced substitute for&eam A5, is pinch0hitting and has a 101count, when the opposing team reportsthis to the umpire. &he umpire calls@ones out. hen &eam A5 takes thefield to play defence, @ones goes to !rd.

After one pitch &eam #5 protests,stating that @ones became an neligiblelayer when called out, so the game

should be forfeited. @ones says he wasonly called out and not removed fromthe game.

RULING: The umpire erred on theoriginal call. Dones should not ha ebeen called out but remo ed from thegame and declared ineligible. ince theumpire did not enforce the correct

penalty and Dones &as still officially inthe game, he should be remo ed at this

point, declared ineligible, a legalsubstitute brought in for him and play iscontinued.

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the unannounced substitutions rule.)eing an unannounced substitute and a

pitch has been thro&nC theReplacement Player &ill be declaredIneligible."3$>b B -ffect '%

2%/ n the top of the !rd inning, @ones slidessafely into !rd causing his leg to bleed.Smith enters the game at !rd as a"eplacement layer for @ones andsubse9uently scores. @ones is unable totake his place at 2nd in the bottom ofthe !rd inning, so Smith takes the fieldat 2nd and completes two plays for theinning. hen it is @ones5 turn to bat inthe top of the %th inning, he still isunable to take his place, so Smith batsand gets a double.

RULING: =ll of the actions of mith as aReplacement Player are legal. c%

2% Smith, a listed substitute, legallyreplaces #rown in the top of the 2ndinning. #rown re0enters the game in thebottom of the 2nd inning, replacingSmith.n the top of the %th inning, @ones slidesinto a base and opens up an old in>uryon his leg that begins to bleed. Smithnow enters the game again as a"eplacement layer for @ones. @ones isdue to return to the game at the top ofthe (th inning but is unable to do so, ashe has been taken to hospital fortreatment. &he umpire re9uests thecoach to replace Smith with a legalsubstitute but there is none available.RULING: The game is forfeited to theteam not at fault. mith has been in thegame as a substitute for )ro&n.

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the on$dec* circle until the pitcher hascompleted his &arm$up pitches."3$## B Note%

2-- At the change of innings, severalplayers stand near the batter5s bo6watching '1 warm0up. &he umpirere9uests they return to the bench and

warns the team that players mustremain on the bench until they enter theon0deck circle. &wo innings later, one ofthe team members stands and watchesthe warm0ups again.

RULING: =s the team has already been&arned against this action, the offendershould be e!ected from the game.

"3$## B -ffect%

Sec. 12 +IOLATIONS ANDPENALTIES

2-( Smith is removed from the game forbeing an unreported substitute in the2nd inning. n the %th inning he goes tothe !rd base coach5s bo6 to givedirection to his teammates. &hedefensive team now appeal that heshould not be allowed to coach, as hehas been removed from the game.

RULING: mith may continue to act as abase coach, as he &as only remo edfrom the game, not e!ected. = player,remo ed from the game by the umpire,may no longer participate as a player,but may coach."3$#'b%

* RULE ! - THE #A(E *

Sec. 2FITNESS OF #ROUND

2-/ 8eavy rains have made the playing fieldunplayable. f a game has not yetstarted, who may call it off?

RULING: The plate umpire has soleauthority to ma*e this decision.

"5$'%

Sec. 3RE#ULATION #A(E

2- After ( completed innings, &eam A5trails &eam 5#5 % runs to -. &eam A5fails to score in the top of the /th inning,so the umpire indicates the game hasended. &eam #5 coach insists his teambats in the /th inning in order to gainpercentage.

RULING: The umpire &as correct incalling the game, &ith Team ?)/declared the &inner. The bottom half ofthe 0th inning need not be played, asTeam ?)/, batting second, has scoredmore runs in 9 innings than Team ?=/ in0 innings. Team ?)/ has already &on thegame, so the game is not continued for

the sa*e of percentage. "5$2a%

2-+ After / completed innings, the score is"ed ! #lue !. &he game moves into theth inning and neither team scores but"ed scores 1 run in the top of the +th.#lue comes to bat the bottom half of the+th inning and, with one out, scores 2runs. &he umpire allows the game tocontinue with #lue scoring 2 more runsbefore the !rd out.

RULING: 8hile it &as correct to playe tra innings &ith the scores tied after 0innings, the game should not ha econtinued once )lue team, e en thoughthey only had one out, had scored moreruns than Red team in the bottom of the>th inning. )lue team &ins the game 5runs to 3. "5$2b%

2(4 s a game that is called for bad weatherin the top of the %th inning consideredto be a regulation game?

RULING: No. = regulation game must go5 innings or 3 #K' innings if the teamsecond at bat is leading."5$2c%

2(1 At the end of % innings, the score is#lue 2 "ed 1. &here is no score in thetop of the -th inning. n the bottom ofthe -th inning, "ed scores )a* 2 runs, or)b* 4 runs. n either case, the game iscalled for rain with only 1 or 2 out.

RULING: In "a% it is a regulation game, asthe team batting second "Red% hasscored more runs in their incomplete5th inning than the team batting first")lue% in their 5 completed innings. Red&ins 2 runs to '. In "b% it is not aregulation game, as the team second atbat "Red% has not completed their 5thinning and still trails the team first at bat")lue%, &ho ha e completed 5 innings.

"5$2c%

2(2 $uring the top half of the fourth inningsof a game a severe thunderstormsweeps the ground. &he umpire decidesto call the game when it begins to rainand he sees lightning nearby. &hecoach of the team batting secondcomplains that the umpire should allowplay to continue in order to have aregulation game.

RULING: The plate umpire has a ?duty ofcare/ to ensure no player, spectator orumpire is placed in any danger bycontinuing a game, in this case by a

possible lightning stri*e. The umpire&as correct in his actions. "5$2d%

2(! At the end of the -th inning, the score is"ed - #lue %. "ed does not score in thetop of the (th inning. #lue, with one out,scores 1 run in the bottom of the (thinning. At this point the game is called

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because of rain. Should the score revertto the end of the last complete inning?

RULING: No. =s 5 completed inningsha e been played and the team secondat bat has tied the score in theincomplete inning, it is a regulation tiedgame &ith the final score Red 5 )lue 5.

"5$2e%

2(% s a game that is declared a forfeit bythe umpire in the !rd innings classifiedas a regulation game?

RULING: +es. - en though 5 inningsha e not been completed, any gamethat is declared a forfeit is deemed to beregulation at the time of the forfeit."5$2f%

Sec. FORFEIT

2(- &eam A5 refuses to begin a game at thescheduled commencement time, as thepitcher has failed to arrive. &he teamstill has 14 players. hat should theumpire do?RULING: The plate umpire declares aforfeit in fa our of Team ?)/.

"5$3b #%

2(( After % completed innings of play, #lue&eam decide they no longer wish toplay, as they are being soundly beaten.s this permissible?

RULING: No. The plate umpire shoulddeclare a forfeit in fa our of Red Team.

"5$3b '%

2(/ After a suspension of play, &eam #5, indisputing a decision made againstthem, refuses to resume playing. &heumpire calls H lay #allH. After 2 minutes&eam #5 still has not resumed playing.hat should happen?

RULING: The plate umpire shall declarea forfeit in fa our of Team ?=/.

"5$3b 2%

2( After % completed innings and with athunderstorm threatening, "ed &eam,batting first, led #lue &eam (0%. n anattempt to complete their half of the -thinning 9uickly and in order to have #lue&eam bat their -th inning for aregulation game, the "ed &eam coachinstructs his batters to deliberately stepout of the batter5s bo6 when they hit theball.&he umpire overhears the instruction.&he leadoff batter steps out of the bo6and hits the first pitch, which bounces infront of home plate.

RULING: )ecause Red Team hasemployed tactics designed todeliberately hasten the game, the plateumpire should declare a forfeit in fa ourof )lue Team. "5$3b 3%

2(+ After ! completed innings, the score is"ed 2 #lue %. n the top of the %thinning, a #lue &eam player is in>uredand cannot continue in the game. #lue&eam has only players left, as allsubstitutes have previously been in thegame. Can they continue with only players?

RULING: No. The plate umpire shalldeclare a forfeit in fa our of Red Team.

"5$3b 0%

2/4 n the third inning the plate umpire hascause to e>ect the coach for violentlydisputing a call. &he coach leaves thebench and returns to the change rooms.&wo innings later the plate umpirenotices that the coach has 9uietlyreturned and is sitting at the end of thedugout giving signals to his base coach.hat action should be taken?

RULING: =ny person e!ected from agame may no longer participate in thegame in any capacity. - en though thecoach did the right thing by returning tothe change room upon being e!ected,he had no legal right to return to thedugout before the game had finished.The umpire should declare a forfeit tothe team not at fault. "5$3b >%

2/1 &he base umpire calls a runner out at1st. A spectator, upset with the call,then enters the field and physicallyattacks the umpire. hat should theumpire do?

RULING: The base umpire can donothingC ho&e er the plate umpire candeclare a forfeit in fa our of thedefensi e team. "5$3b #1%

Sec. !%INNER OF #A(E

2/2 After ! completed innings, the score is"ed 14 #lue 4. n the %th inning, a #lue&eam player is e>ected, leaving only available players to continue the game.&he umpire declares a forfeit in favourof "ed &eam, who insists that the scoreremains 1404.

RULING: =lthough Red Team has scored#1 runs, 2 of those runs are notcounted, as the score of a forfeitedgame is recorded as 0$1. "5$5c%

Sec. "RUN AHEAD RULE

2/! &eam A5, batting 1st, leads &eam #51/02 after 2 complete innings. eitherteam scores in the !rd inning.

RULING: =s both teams ha e completed2 innings and Team ?=/ leads Team ?)/by #5 runs, the umpire should enforcethe Run =head Rule by declaring Team?=/ the &inner. "5$9a #%

2/% After ! completed innings, "ed &eam,batting 2nd, leads #lue &eam 1401.#lue &eam scores 1 run in the top of the%th inning, while "ed &eam, with oneout, scores 2 runs. Should the game beterminated at this point?

RULING: +es. Red Team no& leads )lueTeam by #1 runs in the bottom half ofthe fourth inning, so the game shouldbe called under the Run =head Rule."5$9a #%

2/- After - completed innings, one teamleads the other by + runs. Should thegame continue?

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RULING: No. Hnce 5 innings ha e beencompleted and one team leads by 0runs or more, the game finishes underthe Run =head Rule. "5$9a #%

2/( After % completed innings "ed &eam,batting 1st, leads #lue &eam (04. "ed&eam scores 1 run in the top of the -thinning, so the umpire calls game underthe "un Ahead "ule, declaring "ed&eam the winner. #lue &eam complainthat they should be allowed to bat thebottom half of the -th inning.

RULING: )lue Team is correct, as RedTeam scored the 0th run in the top halfof the inning. "5$9b%

Sec. 7TIEBREAKER

2// &he scores are tied after / completedinnings. &he umpire advises both teamsthat the tiebreaker will now take place.

RULING: The umpire is correct. Thetiebrea*er rule comes into effect assoon as the game enters e tra innings."5$0a%

2/ After / completed innings, the score is"ed 2 #lue 2, so the umpire declaresthe tiebreaker will now take place.ilson is listed to bat +th for "ed &eamin the th inning. &he "ed &eam coachnotifies the umpire that Edwards willsubstitute for ilson and be thetiebreak runner at 2nd. s this legal?

RULING: +es. The tiebrea* runner maybe substituted &ith a legal substitute atany time. "5$0b%

2/+ &he game is into e6tra innings, and thetiebreaker rule is in effect. An improperrunner )not an illegal substitute* goes to2nd base to start the inning. &he correctbatter comes to bat and takes one pitch.&he defence appeals the improperrunner and demands he be called out5.&he offence blames the umpire for themistake, and demands the inning bestarted over again with the properrunner at 2nd. hat do you do?

RULING: There is no penalty, pro idedthe runner is a player already in theline$up. The proper runner "the playerscheduled to bat last in that inning% is

placed at 'nd base. =ny play, &hile theimproper runner is in the game, is legal.- en though it is the responsibility ofthe plate umpire to ensure the properrunner starts at 'nd base, thescore*eeper and the umpire shouldcommunicate &ith one another, at thestart of each tiebrea*er inning, toensure the proper runner starts at 'ndbase. "5$0 Note%

2 4 n the bottom of the /th inning, with thescore tied, "ed &eam has Co6 )battingin third position in the line0up* runningat 2nd, "oberts )batting in fourthposition* at 1st and Adams )batting infifth position* in the batter5s bo6 with twoout. #efore Adams completes his turn at

bat, Co6 is retired sliding into !rd for thethird out. hen "ed &eam come to battheir half of the th inning, they placeCo6 at 2nd as the tiebreak runner,because he was the last player out inthe /th inning.

RULING: This is illegal. )ecause =damsdid not complete his turn at bat in the0th inning, he &ill be the first batter inthe 7th. This ma*es Roberts the ninthbatter in the 7th inning, so he should bethe tiebrea* runner placed at 'nd. "5$0Note%

Sec. &SCORIN# OF RUNS

2 1 ith "1 on !rd, "! on 2nd and one out,#% hits a fly ball to '/, who catches it."1 tags up, leaves !rd legally andscores. "! gets caught in a rundownbetween 2nd and !rd and is eventuallytagged for the third out. $oes the run of"1 count?

RULING: +es. It &as scored before thethird out of the inning.

"5$7a%

2 2 &he scores are tied at the completion of/ innings, so the tiebreaker is in effect.&eam A5 sends a legal runner to 2nd tostart the inning and the runnersubse9uently scores with only one out.

At this point team #5 complain that therun should not be counted, as therunner has not legally touched first basebefore scoring.

RULING: The complaint is ignored, as thetiebrea* runner is not re6uired to touchfirst base before starting at secondbase. "5$7a - ception%

2 ! #ases loaded with two out. #( hits ahome run but fails to touch )a* !rd, or)b* 2nd, or )c* 1st. A legal appeal ismade in each case. 8ow many runsscore?

RULING: In both "a% and "b% 2 runs score,as they all scored before the third out."5$7a%In "c% no runs score, because the thirdout of the inning is the result of )9being called out before legally touching#st. "5$7b #%

2 % "1 on !rd and "2 on 2nd with two out.#- strikes out but the ball gets awayfrom '2. "1 scores before "2 is taggedout at the plate. Meanwhile, #- fails torun to 1st and '2, after tagging "2,throws to 1st for a fourth out. $oes therun of "1 count?

RULING: No. No run can score &hen the

third out is made on )5 before hereaches #st and in this case, the fourthout replaces the third out. "5$7b #%

2 - #ases loaded with two out. #( hits atriple but misses )a* 1st, or )b* 2nd. Anappeal is made after all ! runners havescored and the umpire calls #( out.8ow many runs score?

RULING: In "a% no runs count, since )9did not legally touch #st.

"5$7b #%In "b% 2 runs count, as the third out &asnot a force$out.

"5$7b '%

2 ( t is the bottom of the /th inning. &hescore is tied and two are out with "1 on!rd, "2 on 2nd and "! on 1st. #( isthen walked to force "1 home. #(,

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assuming the game is over, fails to goto 1st and returns to the dugout.

RULING: )9 is out automatically &hen heenters the dugout. The run does notcount, as the third out &as made before)9 legally touched #st. "5$7b #%

2 / "1 on !rd and "! on 1st with one out.

#% hits a fly ball to ' for the secondout as "1 tags up and scores. "!leaves before the catch and is put outreturning to 1st. $oes the run count?

RULING: +es, this is a time play. The runcounts if R# crossed the plate beforethe appeal is made at #st. "It is notconsidered a force out at #st%. "5$7b'%

2 "1 on !rd and "! on 1st with two out.#( hits a ground ball to '%, whoattempts to tag "!. 8e manages toavoid the tag as "1 scores. After arundown, "! is eventually put outbetween 1st and 2nd. $oes the runcount?

RULING: No. The third out is a force out."5$7b '%

2 + "1 on !rd and "! on 1st with one out.#% hits a double but misses 1st. "!misses 2nd while advancing to !rd and"1 scores. &he defence appeal )a* #%missing 1st and then "! missing 2nd, or)b* "! missing 2nd and then #% missing1st, for the third out. n either case doesthe run of "1 score?

RULING: In "a%, by appealing )3 at #stand then R2 at 'nd, the force has beenbro*en ma*ing the appeal at 'nd a time

play. The run &ould score, as R#crossed the plate prior to the appeal. In"b%, by appealing R2 at 'nd and then )3at #st, both runners &ere forced. Therun &ould not score. "5$7b '%

2+4 "% on !rd, "- on 2nd and "( on 1stwith one out, when #/ hits a ground ballsingle to ' . "% scores on the hit but"- is tagged out at the plate for thesecond out. "( misses 2nd as headvances to !rd and is subse9uentlycalled out after being appealed by thedefence. 8ow many runs score on thisplay?

RULING: No runs score, e en though R3scored before the second out &asmade. The appeal at second made thethird out, and no runs can score &henthe third out is a force out. "5$7b '%

2+1 ith "1 on !rd, "2 on 2nd and one out,#% hits a fly ball to '/, who catches it."1 leaves !rd before the ball is touchedby '/, who, after the catch, throws theball wildly into the stands in an attemptfor a double play on "1 at home. "2reaches !rd on the throw and theumpire awards him home. After the ballis returned to '1, '- appeals for "1leaving too soon.

RULING: R# is out for lea ing early and,as this is the third out, both runs arecancelled. ucceeding runners cannotscore &hen a preceding runner is thethird out. "5$7b 5%

Sec. $CHAR#ED CONFERENCES

2+2 n the top of the !rd inning the offensiveteam coach re9uests a conference withhis batter. n the bottom half of theinning the same coach )now defensive*re9uests :&ime; to converse with hispitcher. ill this be allowed, or has hehad his charged conference for theinning?RULING: The coach is allo&ed #offensi e conference per inning and 2defensi e conferences, &ith anydefensi e player, per se en$inninggame. This conference is legal,

pro ided he has not pre iously used uphis 2 defensi e conferences. "5$>a Bb%

2+! A base coach has a conference with #1.#1 subse9uently reaches 1st and thensteals 2nd. &he coach now re9uests,and is granted, :&ime; and enters thediamond to have a discussion with hisrunner.

RULING: This is a second offensi econference in the same inning. Thecoach should be e!ected from thegame. "5$>a Note # B -ffect%

Note: =t the time the coach re6uested thesecond conference, the umpire shouldta*e action to pre ent the e!ection byad ising the coach of the penalty forta*ing the second conference.

2+% A batter re9uests, and is granted,:&ime; to speak to the coach, as hemissed the signal.

RULING: The coach should be charged&ith an offensi e conference.

"5$>a Note #%

2+- An offensive team coach re9uests, andis granted, :&ime;, to speak to "2 at2nd. n the same inning, #% swings at 2high pitches, so the coach insists onanother &ime 3ut5 in order to settle himdown.

RULING: The coach is e!ected from thegame."5$>a Note # B -ffect%

Note:The umpire should use pre entati eumpiring and ad ise the coach of the

penalty for t&o conferences in the oneinning. -!ection should only occur, if thecoach insists on the additional

conference.2+( Smith, the pitcher for &eam A5, singles

to '/. &he coach now re9uests, and isgranted, :&ime; and speaks with Smithas he is putting his warm0up >acket on.&he umpire informs Smith and thecoach that this is a charged conference.

RULING: This is not a chargedconference. = conference should not becharged &hen a pitcher is putting on a&arm$up !ac*et &hile on base."5$>a Note '%

2+/ A coach of the fielding team enters the

diamond from the dugout to talk to hispitcher. &his is his second trip onto thediamond this inning to visit the samepitcher. s it legal to have twoconferences in the one inning?

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RULING: +es. It is a charged conferencee ery time the coach, from the bench,enters the diamond and tal*s to any

player. b B -ffect%

2++ $uring the course of an inning '(decides he needs to talk to the coach,so leaves his position, withoutre9uesting :&ime;, and proceeds to thefront of the dugout to confer with thecoach.

RULING: This is a defensi e conference.The action of 49 crossing the foul line tospea* &ith the representati e from thedugout is treated the same as if therepresentati e had crossed the foul line."5$>b Note #%

!44 &he defensive team uses the last of its! conferences when the coach replaces'+ with S1, and is so advised by theumpire. n the ne6t inning the defencere9uest a further conference, believingthey are entitled to a new set of !conferences whenever a new playerenters the game.

RULING: Eonferences are accumulati eand do not start o er &hen a ne&

player enters the game. =fter usingtheir 2$conference entitlement, thedefence &ould not be entitled to anyfurther conferences unless the gameentered e tra innings. If a fourthconference &ere to be charged beforethe completion of 0 innings, the pitcherat the time of the additional conference&ould be declared an Illegal Pitcher&ho could not pitch for the remainder ofthe game."5$>b Note ' B -ffect%

!41 A tied game moves into the th inning.&he defensive team coach enters thediamond and confers with his players.Fater in the same inning, he attempts tohave a further conference, but theumpire reminds him that he has alreadyused his conference for this inning. &hecoach insists that he is entitled to theadditional conference, as he did not usethe ! conferences that he was entitledto for the first seven innings. s thecoach correct?RULING: No. - en though the 2conferences &ere not used in the first 0innings they are lost. 8hen a gamegoes into e tra innings, the defence is

limited to one conference per e trainning. "5$>b Note 3%

!42 #1 for team A5 gets on base so thecoach re9uests, and is granted, :&ime;to enable him to speak to his runner.Seeing this the coach of team #5hurries onto the diamond to speak with'1. &he umpire informs the coach ofteam A5 that he is being charged withan offensive conference as he returnsto the coach5s bo6 and he also informsthe coach of team #5 that he is beingcharged with a defensive conference ashe returns to the dugout. Should this bea charged defensive conference?

RULING: No. = conference should not becharged to the defensi e team if theyconfer during a charged offensi econference, pro ided they are ready to

play &hen the offensi e conference iso er."5$>b Note 5"a%%

!4! A playing coach has a :&ime 3ut; andconfers with his infield. 3ne batter laterhe re9uests :&ime; again to talk to '1.&his is granted. &wo batters later heagain has a meeting with his pitcher.&he umpire decides that the coach isspending too much time with thesemeetings, so warns the coach that if hecontinues to have e6cessive meetingshe may be e>ected. &he coachcomplains that, as he is a playingcoach, he cannot be charged with aconference and that h