The Rules of Baseball
4.00 STARTING
AND ENDING A GAME
4.01
Unless the home club shall have given previous notice that the game
has been postponed or will be delayed in starting, the umpire, or umpires,
shall enter the playing field five minutes before the hour set for the
game to begin and proceed directly to home base where they shall be
met by the managers of the opposing teams. In sequence_ (a) First, the
home manager shall give his batting order to the umpire in chief, in
duplicate. (b) Next, the visiting manager shall give his batting order
to the umpire in chief, in duplicate. (c) The umpire in chief shall
make certain that the original and copies of the respective batting
orders are identical, and then tender a copy of each batting order to
the opposing manager. The copy retained by the umpire shall be the official
batting order. The tender of the batting order by the umpire shall establish
the batting orders. Thereafter, no substitutions shall be made by either
manager, except as provided in the rules. (d) As soon as the home team's
batting order is handed to the umpire in chief the umpires are in charge
of the playing field and from that moment they shall have sole authority
to determine when a game shall be called, suspended or resumed on account
of weather or the condition of the playing field. Obvious errors in
the batting order, which are noticed by the umpire in chief before he
calls "Play" for the start of the game, should be called to
the attention of the manager or captain of the team in error, so the
correction can be made before the game starts. For example, if a manager
has inadvertently listed only eight men in the batting order, or has
listed two players with the same last name but without an identifying
initial and the errors are noticed by the umpire before he calls "play,"
he shall cause such error or errors to be corrected before he calls
"play" to start the game. Teams should not be "trapped"
later by some mistake that obviously was inadvertent and which can be
corrected before the game starts.
4.02
The players of the home team shall take their defensive positions, the
first batter of the visiting team shall take his position in the batter's
box, the umpire shall call "Play" and the game shall start.
4.03
When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all
fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory. (a) The
catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave
his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that
when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher
must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until
the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk. (b) The pitcher,
while in the act of delivering the ball to the batter, shall take his
legal position; (c) Except the pitcher and the catcher, any fielder
may station himself anywhere in fair territory; (d) Except the batter,
or a runner attempting to score, no offensive player shall cross the
catcher's lines when the ball is in play.
4.04
The batting order shall be followed throughout the game unless a player
is substituted for another. In that case the substitute shall take the
place of the replaced player in the batting order.
4.05
(a) The offensive team shall station two base coaches on the field during
its term at bat, one near first base and one near third base. (b) Base
coaches shall be limited to two in number and shall (1) be in team uniform,
and (2) remain within the coach's box at all times. PENALTY: The offending
base coach shall be removed from the game, and shall leave the playing
field. It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to
put one foot outside the coach's box or stand astride or otherwise be
slightly outside the coaching box lines. The coach shall not be considered
out of the box unless the opposing manager complains, and then, the
umpire shall strictly enforce the rule and require all coaches (on both
teams) to remain in the coach's box at all times. It is also common
practice for a coach who has a play at his base to leave the coach's
box to signal the player to slide, advance or return to a base. This
may be allowed if the coach does not interfere with the play in any
manner.
4.06
(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at
any time, whether from the bench, the coach's box or on the playing
field, or elsewhere_ (1) Incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a
demonstration by spectators; (2) Use language which will in any manner
refer to or reflect upon opposing players, an umpire, or any spectator;
(3) Call "Time," or employ any other word or phrase or commit
any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious purpose
of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk. (4) Make intentional contact
with the umpire in any manner. (b) No fielder shall take a position
in the batter's line of vision, and with deliberate unsportsmanlike
intent, act in a manner to distract the batter. PENALTY: The offender
shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing field, and,
if a balk is made, it shall be nullified.
4.07
When a manager, player, coach or trainer is ejected from a game, he
shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game.
He shall remain in the club house or change to street clothes and either
leave the park or take a seat in the grandstand well removed from the
vicinity of his team's bench or bullpen. If a manager, coach or player
is under suspension he may not be in the dugout or press box during
the course of a game.
4.08
When the occupants of a player's bench show violent disapproval of an
umpire's decision, the umpire shall first give warning that such disapproval
shall cease. If such action continues_ PENALTY: The umpire shall order
the offenders from the bench to the club house. If he is unable to detect
the offender, or offenders, he may clear the bench of all substitute
players. The manager of the offending team shall have the privilege
of recalling to the playing field only those players needed for substitution
in the game.
4.09
HOW A TEAM SCORES. (a) One run shall be scored each time a runner legally
advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three
men are put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if
the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out
is made (1) by the batter runner before he touches first base; (2) by
any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared
out because he failed to touch one of the bases. (b) When the winning
run is scored in the last half inning of a regulation game, or in the
last half of an extra inning, as the result of a base on balls, hit
batter or any other play with the bases full which forces the runner
on third to advance, the umpire shall not declare the game ended until
the runner forced to advance from third has touched home base and the
batter runner has touched first base. An exception will be if fans rush
onto the field and physically prevent the runner from touching home
plate or the batter from touching first base. In such cases, the umpires
shall award the runner the base because of the obstruction by the fans.
PENALTY: If the runner on third refuses to advance to and touch home
base in a reasonable time, the umpire shall disallow the run, call out
the offending player and order the game resumed. If, with two out, the
batter runner refuses to advance to and touch first base, the umpire
shall disallow the run, call out the offending player, and order the
game resumed. If, before two are out, the batter runner refuses to advance
to and touch first base, the run shall count, but the offending player
shall be called out. Approved Ruling: No run shall score during a play
in which the third out is made by the batter runner before he touches
first base. Example: One out, Jones on second, Smith on first. The batter,
Brown, hits safely. Jones scores. Smith is out on the throw to the plate.
Two outs. But Brown missed first base. The ball is thrown to first,
an appeal is made, and Brown is out. Three outs. Since Jones crossed
the plate during a play in which the third out was made by the batter
runner before he touched first base, Jones' run does not count. Approved
Ruling: Following runners are not affected by an act of a preceding
runner unless two are out. Example: One out, Jones on second, Smith
on first, and batter, Brown, hits home run inside the park. Jones fails
to touch third on his way to the plate. Smith and Brown score. The defense
holds the ball on third, appeals to umpire, and Jones is out. Smith's
and Brown's runs count. Approved Ruling: Two out, Jones on second, Smith
on first and batter, Brown, hits home run inside the park. All three
runs cross the plate. But Jones missed third base, and on appeal is
declared out. Three outs. Smith's and Brown's runs are voided. No score
on the play. Approved Ruling: One out, Jones on third, Smith on second.
Batter Brown flies out to center. Two out. Jones scores after catch
and Smith scores on bad throw to plate. But Jones, on appeal, is adjudged
to have left third before the catch and is out. Three outs. No runs.
Approved Ruling: Two out, bases full, batter hits home run over fence.
Batter, on appeal, is declared out for missing first base. Three outs.
No run counts. Here is a general statement that covers: When a runner
misses a base and a fielder holds the ball on a missed base, or on the
base originally occupied by the runner if a fly ball is caught, and
appeals for the umpire's decision, the runner is out when the umpire
sustains the appeal; all runners may score if possible, except that
with two out the runner is out at the moment he misses the bag, if an
appeal is sustained as applied to the following runners. Approved Ruling:
One out, Jones on third, Smith on first, and Brown flies out to right
field. Two outs. Jones tags up and scores after the catch. Smith attempted
to return to first but the right fielder's throw beat him to the base.
three outs. But Jones scored before the throw to catch Smith reached
first base, hence Jones' run counts. It was not a force play.
4.10
(a) A regulation game consists of nine innings, unless extended because
of a tie score, or shortened (1) because the home team needs none of
its half of the ninth inning or only a fraction of it, or (2) because
the umpire calls the game. EXCEPTION: National Association leagues may
adopt a rule providing that one or both games of a doubleheader shall
be seven innings in length. In such games, any of these rules applying
to the ninth inning shall apply to the seventh inning. (b) If the score
is tied after nine completed innings play shall continue until (1) the
visiting team has scored more total runs than the home team at the end
of a completed inning, or (2) the home team scores the winning run in
an uncompleted inning. (c) If a game is called, it is a regulation game:
(1) If five innings have been completed; (2) If the home team has scored
more runs in four or four and a fraction half innings than the visiting
team has scored in five completed half innings; (3) If the home team
scores one or more runs in its half of the fifth inning to tie the score.
(d) If each team has the same number of runs when the game ends, the
umpire shall declare it a "Tie Game." (e) If a game is called
before it has become a regulation game, the umpire shall declare it
"No Game." (f) Rain checks will not be honored for any regulation
or suspended game which has progressed to or beyond a point of play
described in 4.10(c)
4.11
The score of a regulation game is the total number of runs scored by
each team at the moment the game ends. (a) The game ends when the visiting
team completes its half of the ninth inning if the home team is ahead.
(b) The game ends when the ninth inning is completed, if the visiting
team is ahead. (c) If the home team scores the winning run in its half
of the ninth inning (or its half of an extra inning after a tie), the
game ends immediately when the winning run is scored. EXCEPTION: If
the last batter in a game hits a home run out of the playing field,
the batter runner and all runners on base are permitted to score, in
accordance with the base running rules, and the game ends when the batter
runner touches home plate. APPROVED RULING: The batter hits a home run
out of the playing field to win the game in the last half of the ninth
or an extra inning, but is called out for passing a preceding runner.
The game ends immediately when the winning run is scored. (d) A called
game ends at the moment the umpire terminates play. EXCEPTION: If the
game is called while an inning is in progress and before it is completed,
the game becomes a SUSPENDED game in each of the following situations:
(1) The visiting team has scored one or more runs to tie the score and
the home team has not scored; (2) The visiting team has scored one or
more runs to take the lead and the home team has not tied the score
or retaken the lead. National Association Leagues may also adopt the
following rules for suspended games in addition to 4.11 (d) (1) &
(2) above. (If adopted by a National Association League, Rule 4.10 (c)
(d) & (e) would not apply to their games.): (3) The game has not
become a regulation game (4 1/2 innings with the home team ahead, or
5 innings with the visiting club ahead or tied). (4) Any regulation
game tied at the point play is stopped because of weather, curfew or
other reason. (5) If a game is suspended before it becomes a regulation
game, and is continued prior to another regularly scheduled game, the
regularly scheduled game will be limited to seven innings. (6) If a
game is suspended after it is a regulation game, and is continued prior
to another regularly scheduled game, the regularly scheduled game will
be a nine inning game. EXCEPTION: The above sections (3), (4), (5) &
(6) will not apply to the last scheduled game between the two teams
during the championship season, or League Playoffs. Any suspended game
not completed prior to the last scheduled game between the two teams
during the championship season, will become a called game.
4.12
SUSPENDED GAMES. (a) A league shall adopt the following rules providing
for completion at a future date of games terminated for any of the following
reasons: (1) A curfew imposed by law; (2) A time limit permissible under
league rules; (3) Light failure or malfunction of a mechanical field
device under control of the home club. (Mechanical field device shall
include automatic tarpaulin or water removal equipment). (4) Darkness,
when a law prevents the lights from being turned on. (5) Weather, if
the game is called while an inning is in progress and before it is completed,
and one of the following situations prevails: (i) The visiting team
has scored one or more runs to tie the score, and the home team has
not scored. (ii) The visiting team has scored one or more runs to take
the lead, and the home team has not tied the score or retaken the lead.
(b) Such games shall be known as suspended games. No game called because
of a curfew, weather, or a time limit shall be a suspended game unless
it has progressed far enough to have been a regulation game under the
provisions of Rule 4.10. A game called under the provisions of 4.12(a),
(3) or (4) shall be a suspended game at any time after it starts. NOTE:
Weather and similar conditions_4.12 (a) (1 through 5)_shall take precedence
in determining whether a called game shall be a suspended game. A game
can only be considered a suspended game if stopped for any of the five
(5) reasons specified in Section (a). Any regulation game called due
to weather with the score tied (unless situation outlined in 4.12 (a)
(5) (i) prevails) is a tie game and must be replayed in its entirety.
(c) A suspended game shall be resumed and completed as follows: (1)
Immediately preceding the next scheduled single game between the two
clubs on the same grounds; or (2) Immediately preceding the next scheduled
doubleheader between the two clubs on the same grounds, if no single
game remains on the schedule; or (3) If suspended on the last scheduled
date between the two clubs in that city, transferred and played on the
grounds of the opposing club, if possible; (i) Immediately preceding
the next scheduled single game, or (ii) Immediately preceding the next
scheduled doubleheader, if no single game remains on the schedule. (4)
If a suspended game has not been resumed and completed on the last date
scheduled for the two clubs, it shall be a called game. (d) A suspended
game shall be resumed at the exact point of suspension of the original
game. The completion of a suspended game is a continuation of the original
game. The lineup and batting order of both teams shall be exactly the
same as the lineup and batting order at the moment of suspension, subject
to the rules governing substitution. Any player may be replaced by a
player who had not been in the game prior to the suspension. No player
removed before the suspension may be returned to the lineup. A player
who was not with the club when the game was suspended may be used as
a substitute, even if he has taken the place of a player no longer with
the club who would not have been eligible because he had been removed
from the lineup before the game was suspended. If immediately prior
to the call of a suspended game, a substitute pitcher has been announced
but has not retired the side or pitched until the batter becomes a baserunner,
such pitcher, when the suspended game is later resumed may, but is not
required to start the resumed portion of the game. However, if he does
not start he will be considered as having been substituted for and may
not be used in that game. (e) Rain checks will not be honored for any
regulation or suspended game which has progressed to or beyond a point
of play described in 4.10 (c).
4.13
RULES GOVERNING DOUBLEHEADERS. (a) (1) Only two championship games shall
be played on one date. Completion of a suspended game shall not violate
this rule. (2) If two games are scheduled to be played for one admission
on one date, the first game shall be the regularly scheduled game for
that date. (b) After the start of the first game of a doubleheader,
that game shall be completed before the second game of the doubleheader
shall begin. (c) The second game of a doubleheader shall start twenty
minutes after the first game is completed, unless a longer interval
(not to exceed thirty minutes) is declared by the umpire in chief and
announced to the opposing managers at the end of the first game. EXCEPTION:
If the league president has approved a request of the home club for
a longer interval between games for some special event, the umpire in
chief shall declare such longer interval and announce it to the opposing
managers. The umpire in chief of the first game shall be the timekeeper
controlling the interval between games. (d) The umpire shall start the
second game of a doubleheader, if at all possible, and play shall continue
as long as ground conditions, local time restrictions, or weather permit.
(e) When a regularly scheduled doubleheader is delayed in starting for
any cause, any game that is started is the first game of the doubleheader.
(f) When a rescheduled game is part of a doubleheader the rescheduled
game shall be the second game, and the first game shall be the regularly
scheduled game for that date.
4.14
The umpire in chief shall order the playing field lights turned on whenever
in his opinion darkness makes further play in daylight hazardous.
4.15
A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team_ (a) Fails
to appear upon the field, or being upon the field, refuses to start
play within five minutes after the umpire has called "Play"
at the appointed hour for beginning the game, unless such delayed appearance
is, in the umpire's judgment, unavoidable; (b) Employs tactics palpably
designed to delay or shorten the game; (c) Refuses to continue play
during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the
umpire; (d) Fails to resume play, after a suspension, within one minute
after the umpire has called "Play;" (e) After warning by the
umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game; (f)
Fails to obey within a reasonable time the umpire's order for removal
of a player from the game; (g) Fails to appear for the second game of
a doubleheader within twenty minutes after the close of the first game
unless the umpire in chief of the first game shall have extended the
time of the intermission.
4.16
A game shall be forfeited to the visiting team if, after it has been
suspended, the order of the umpire to groundskeepers respecting preparation
of the field for resumption of play are not complied with.
4.17
A game shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable
or refuses to place nine players on the field.
4.18
If the umpire declares a game forfeited he shall transmit a written
report to the league president within twenty four hours thereafter,
but failure of such transmittal shall not effect the forfeiture.
4.19
PROTESTING GAMES. Each league shall adopt rules governing procedure
for protesting a game, when a manager claims that an umpire's decision
is in violation of these rules. No protest shall ever be permitted on
judgment decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision
of the League President shall be final. Even if it is held that the
protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be
ordered unless in the opinion of the League President the violation
adversely affected the protesting team's chances of winning the game.
Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication
of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are
notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next
pitch is made or a runner is retired. A protest arising on a game ending
play may be filed until 12 noon the following day with the League Office.
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