RESOURCES

5. BATTING AND BASE RUNNING

5.1 DEFINITIONS

5.1.1 BASE ON BALLS OR WALK

When the plate umpire judges four pitches to be balls, including illegal pitches. The batter is awarded first base. The ball is live.

5.1.2 BASE PATH

The direct line between a base and the runner’s position at the time a defensive player is attempting (or about to attempt) to tag a runner.

5.1.3 BATTED BALL

Any ball that hits the bat or is hit by the bat and lands in fair or foul territory. No intention to hit the ball is necessary.

5.1.4 BATTER

An offensive player who enters the batter’s box with the intention of aiding their team to score runs. They continue to be a batter until they are declared out by the umpire or become a batter-runner.

5.1.5 BATTER-RUNNER

A player who has finished a turn at bat but has not yet been put out or reached first base.

5.1.6 BATTING ORDER

The official listing of offensive players in the line-up in the order in which members of that team must come to bat.

5.1.7 BLOCKED BALL

A blocked ball is a batted, thrown or pitched ball:

that becomes lodged in the fencing or umpire’s clothing or equipment;
that is touched, stopped or handled by a person not engaged in the game;
that touches any object that is not part of the official equipment or playing territory;
that is touched by a defensive player who is in contact with the ground not part of the playing territory. The lines are considered part of the playing area; or
a thrown ball touching a base coach accidentally (in or out of the coaches box) is not a blocked ball and remains in play.

5.1.8 BUNT

A batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within the playing field.

5.1.9 CATCH

When a fielder catches a batted or thrown ball with their hand(s) or glove.

In establishing a legal catch, the fielder must hold the ball long enough to prove that the ball is securely held and/or that the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. It is a valid catch if the player drops the ball after reaching into the glove to remove it or while in the act of throwing.
If the ball is merely held in the fielder’s arm(s) or prevented from dropping to the ground by some part of the fielder’s body, equipment or clothing, the catch is not completed until the ball is in the grasp of the fielder’s hand(s) or glove.
In order to have a legal catch, the fielder’s feet must be within the field of play, touching the dead ball line or being in the air after leaving live ball territory. If the player has control of the ball when returning to the ground in ‘dead ball’ territory, it is a legal catch. A player who is in the dead ball territory and returns to the live ball territory must have both feet touching the playable territory prior to touching the ball in order to have a valid catch.
It is not a catch, if a fielder (while gaining control), collides with another player, an umpire or a fence, or falls to the ground and drops the ball as a result of the collision or falling to the ground.
A batted ball striking anything other than a defensive player while it is in flight is ruled the same as if it struck the ground.

5.1.10 CHARGED OFFENSIVE CONFERENCE

When the offensive team requests a suspension of play or delays play to allow the manager, or other team representative, to confer with any member of their team. This includes the batter, runner, on-deck batter and the coaches among themselves.

5.1.11 DEAD BALL

Is a ball that is not in play and no further play can occur.

5.1.12 DELAYED DEAD BALL

A game situation in which the ball remains live until the conclusion of a play. When the entire play is completed, and if required, an umpire will rule a dead ball and enforce the appropriate ruling.

5.1.13 DETACHED EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORM

When a fielder intentionally contacts or catches a fair batted, thrown or pitched ball with their cap, helmet, mask, protector, pocket, detached glove or any part of their uniform that is detached from its proper place on their person.

5.1.14 DISLODGED BASE

A base displaced from its proper position.

5.1.15 DOUBLE PLAY

A play by the defense in which two offensive players are legally put out as a result of continuous action.

5.1.16 FAIR BALL

A legally batted live ball:

that settles or is touched on or over fair territory between home and first base or between home and third base;
that bounds past first or third base on or over fair territory, regardless of where the ball hits after going over the base;
that touches first, second or third base;
that touches the person or clothing of an umpire or player while over fair territory;
that first falls on fair territory beyond first and third base;
that passes out of the playing field beyond the outfield fence while over fair territory;
that hits the foul line pole while in flight;
that is judged a fair fly according to the relative position of the ball and foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time of touching the ball. It does not matter whether the ball first touches fair or foul territory, as long as it does not touch anything foreign to the natural ground in foul territory and complies with all other aspects of a fair ball. The position of the ball at the time of interference determines whether the ball is fair or foul, regardless if the ball rolls untouched to foul or fair territory.

5.1.17 FAKE TAG

A form of obstruction where a fielder not in possession of the ball impedes the progress of a runner who is advancing or returning to a base. The runner does not have to stop or slide; merely slowing down when a fake tag is simulated constitutes obstruction.

5.1.18 FLY BALL

A ball batted into the air.

5.1.19 FORCE OUT

When a runner loses the right to the base that they are occupying because the batter becomes a batter-runner and before the batter-runner or a succeeding runner has been put out. On an appeal play, the force out is determined by the force situation at the time the appeal is made and not at the time of the infraction. If the force has been broken by an out of a succeeding runner prior to the appeal, this is no longer a force out. If a forced runner, after touching the next base, retreats for any reason toward the base they last occupied, the force play is reinstated.

5.1.20 FOUL BALL

A legally batted ball that:

settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base.
bounds past first or third on or over foul territory.
first touches on foul territory beyond first or third base.
touches the person, attached or detached equipment or clothing of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground, while on or over foul territory.
touches the batter or the bat in the batter’s hand(s) a second time while the batter is within the batter’s box.
goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batter’s head, to any part of the catcher’s body or equipment and is caught by another fielder.
hits the pitcher’s plate and rolls untouched to foul territory before reaching first or third base.
is judged a foul ball, judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time of touching the ball. The position of the ball at the time of interference determines whether the ball is fair or foul, regardless if the ball rolls untouched to foul or fair territory.

5.1.21 FOUL TIP

a. A batted ball that:

goes directly from the bat to the catcher’s hands or glove;
goes no higher than the batter’s head; and
is legally caught by the catcher, or

b. any foul tip that is caught is a strike and remains in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound unless the ball first touched the catcher’s hand(s) or glove.

It is not a catch if it is a rebound unless the ball first touched the catcher’s hand(s) or glove.

5.1.22 HIT BY PITCH

When a ball touches any part of the batter’s person, including their hands or clothing, while the batter is in the batter’s box and a pitched ball is not swung at or called a strike. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter.

5.1.23 ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL

When the batter hits the ball fair or foul:

while one foot is completely out of the batter’s box and on the ground, when they make contact with the ball.
while any part of the batter’s foot is touching home plate, when they make contact with the ball.
while contacting the ball with an illegal, non-approved, or altered bat.
after they step with either foot entirely out of the batter’s box, and then return and make contact with the ball while within the batter’s box.

5.1.24 ILLEGALLY CAUGHT BALL

When a fielder catches a batted, thrown or pitched ball with their cap, mask, glove or any part of their uniform while that item is detached from its proper place.

5.1.25 IN FLIGHT

Any batted, thrown or pitched ball that has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder.

5.1.26 INFIELD FLY

A fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied before two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder who positions themselves in the infield on the play will be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

5.1.27 IN JEOPARDY

When the ball is in play, and the offensive player may be put out.

5.1.28 INTENTIONAL BASE ON BALLS OR INTENTIONAL WALK

When the defensive team requests to place the batter on first base without pitching four balls. The ball is dead.

5.1.29 INTENTIONALLY DROPPED FLY BALL

A fair fly ball, including a line drive or a bunt, with less than two outs and a runner on first base that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, and the infielder intentionally drops the ball, after it is controlled with a hand or a glove. A trapped ball or a fly ball that is allowed to bounce is not considered as having been intentionally dropped. If an infield fly is ruled, it has precedence over an intentionally dropped ball.

5.1.30 INTERFERENCE

The act of:

a. an offensive player or team member who impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play;

b. an umpire who impedes a catcher’s attempt to throw out a runner who is off the base; or

c. an umpire or runner being hit with a fair-batted ball:

prior to touching a fielder, including the pitcher;
prior to it passing an infielder, other than the pitcher, without being touched; or
after passing a fielder, excluding the pitcher and in the umpire’s judgment another fielder had a chance to make an out; or

d. a spectator who enters or reaches into the playing field and impedes a fielder playing the ball, or makes contact with the ball that a fielder is attempting a play on.

5.1.31 LINE DRIVE

A ball in flight that is batted sharply and directly into the playing field.

5.1.32 OBSTRUCTION

The act of:

a. a defensive player or team member who hinders or prevents a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball.

b. a fielder who impedes the progress of a batter-runner or runner who is legally running bases while:

not in possession of the ball;
not in the act of fielding a batted ball;
making a fake tag without the ball;
in possession of the ball and who pushes a runner off a base; or
in possession of the ball, but not in the act of making a play on the batter-runner or runner.

5.1.33 ON-DECK BATTER

The offensive player whose name follows the name of the batter in the batting order.

5.1.34 OPTION PLAY

A play in which the offensive manager /coach is given the choice of taking the enforcement of the illegal action or the result of the play. Such option plays are:

i) catcher obstruction;

ii) use of an illegal glove;

iii) an illegal substitution;

iv) an illegal pitch; or

v) an illegal pitcher returned to game and pitching.

5.1.35 OVER-SLIDE

When a batter-runner or a runner slides past and loses touch with a base that they are attempting to reach, which causes them to be in jeopardy. A batter-runner may over-slide first base without being in jeopardy provided they immediately return to first base.

5.1.36 OVERTHROW

When a ball is thrown from one fielder to another, and the ball goes beyond the boundary lines of the playing field or becomes a blocked ball.

5.1.37 RUNNER

A player of the team at bat who has finished a turn at bat reached first base and has not yet been put out.

5.1.38 SLAP HIT

A batted ball other than a bunt that has been struck with a controlled short, chopping motion rather than with a full swing. The two most common types of slap hit are those in which the batter:

a) takes their stance as if to bunt, but then either drives the ball into the ground with a quick, short swing or punch hits the ball over the infield; or

b) takes running steps (within the batter’s box) toward the pitcher before making contact with the pitch with a quick, short swing or punch hits the ball over the infield.

5.1.39 SQUEEZE PLAY

A play in which the offensive team, with a runner on third base, attempts to score that runner by means of the batter contacting the ball.

5.1.40 STEALING

When a runner attempts to advance to the next base or home plate during or after a pitch to the batter.

5.1.41 STRIKE ZONE

The space over any part of home plate between the bottom of the batter’s sternum (chest plate) and the bottom of the batter’s kneecap, when they assume their natural batting stance. The natural batting stance is the stance the batter takes after the release of the pitch when deciding to swing or not swing at the pitch.

5.1.42 TAG

A legal tag is the action of a fielder in touching:

a) a batter-runner or runner who is not in contact with a base, with the ball securely held in their hand(s) or glove. The ball is not considered as having been securely held if it is juggled or dropped by the fielder after tagging the batter-runner or runner, unless that player deliberately knocks the ball from the hand(s) or glove of the fielder. The runner must be tagged with the hand(s) or glove with which the ball is held; or

b) a base with the ball securely held in their hand(s) or glove. The base may be touched with any part of the body to be a legal tag, (e.g., the fielder could touch the base with a foot, with a hand, sit on the base, etc.) This would apply to any force out or appeal situation.

5.1.43 TAGGING UP

The action of a runner returning to their base, or remaining on their base, before they legally advance on a batted fly ball that is first touched by a fielder.

5.1.44 THIRD STRIKE RULE

When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and:

a) There are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied; or

b) There are two outs.

5.1.45 THROW

The act of one fielder throwing the ball to another fielder.

5.1.46 TRAPPED BALL

a) A legally batted fly ball or line drive that hits the ground or a fence prior to being caught.

b) A legally batted fly ball that is caught against a fence with the glove or hand.

c) A thrown ball to any base for a force out that is covered with the glove over the ball on the ground rather than under the ball.

d) A pitched ball that touches the ground on a strike prior to the catcher catching it.

5.1.47 TRIPLE PLAY

A continuous action play by the defense in which three offensive players are put out.

5.1.48 TURN AT BAT

Begins when a player first enters the batter’s box and continues until the batter is out or becomes a batter-runner.

5.1.49 WILD PITCH

A pitch that is so high or so low or so wide of the plate that the catcher, with ordinary effort, cannot or does not stop or control it.

5.1.50 WILD THROW

A throw in which the ball thrown from one fielder to another cannot be caught or controlled and remains in play.

5.2 CHARGED OFFENSIVE CONFERENCE

a) It is not a charged conference when a pitcher is putting on a warm-up jacket while on base or when the offense confers while the defensive team is in conference or the game is suspended, provided that the offense is ready to play when the defense is ready, or the umpire restarts the game.

b) Only one charged conference per inning is permitted.

EFFECT

Rule 5.2 b Second Charged Conference

Effect Ejection of the coach or manager insisting on the second charged conference.

5.3 ON-DECK BATTER

a) At the start of an inning, this is the lead-off batter who must remain in the on-deck circle until called to the batter’s box.

b) Once an inning has started, this is the offensive player who, in the batting line-up, is the next player to enter the batter’s box.

c) The on-deck batter:

i) may take a position within either on-deck circle so that they are behind the batter and not on the batter’s open side;

ii) must wear a helmet;

iii) may loosen up with no more than two official softball bats, an approved warm-up bat, or a combination not to exceed two. A bat with which the On-Deck Batter is loosening up may not have anything attached to it other than a Softball Canada approved bat attachment; SC Note: The Power wrap is approved.

iv) may leave the on-deck circle:

1. when they become the batter;

2. to direct runners advancing from third to home plate; or

3. to avoid possible interference on a fly ball or thrown ball; and

4. must not interfere with a defensive player’s opportunity to make a play.

EFFECTS

Rule 5.3.c ii Failure to wear a helmet when ordered to do so

Effect After a warning, the player shall be ejected.

Rule 5.3.c iii Illegal Warm-up Equipment

Effect Illegal warm-up equipment shall be removed from the game. Continued use of the equipment after removal from the game shall result in the player using such equipment being ejected from the game.

Rule 5.3 c) iv) 4 Interferes with defensive player opportunity to make a play

Effect The ball is dead and if the interference is:

1. with a defensive player’s attempt to retire a runner;

a) The runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference is out, and

b) Other runners return to the base last touched at the time of the interference unless forced to advance because the batter-runner became a runner.

2. with a defensive player attempting to catch a fly ball, or with a fly ball that a fielder is attempting to catch;

a) The batter-runner shall be called out, and

b) Runners are returned to the base held at the time of the pitch.

5.4 BATTING

5.4.1 BATTING ORDER

a) The batting order must be followed throughout the game unless a player is replaced by a substitute who takes the place of the player they replace in the batting order.

b) The first batter in each inning must be the batter whose name follows that of the last batter who completed a turn at bat in the preceding inning.

c) When the third out in an inning is made before the batter has completed their turn at bat, that batter must be the first batter in the next inning. The ball and strike count is canceled.

d) A player bats out of order when they fail to bat in the proper sequence as listed on the line-up card.

EFFECTS

Rule 5.4.1 Batting out of order

Effect This is an appeal play that may be made by the manager, coach, or player of the defensive team only. The defensive team forfeits its right to appeal for batting-out-of-order when all defensive players have left fair territory on their way to the bench or dugout.

a) When the error is discovered while the incorrect batter is at bat:

i. The correct batter may legally take their place and assume the ball and strike count of the incorrect batter; and

ii. Any runs scored, or bases run, while the incorrect batter is at bat will be legal.

b) When the error is discovered after the incorrect batter has completed their turn at bat and before a legal or illegal pitch has been made to another batter:

i. the player who should have batted is out: and

ii. any advance or score made as a result of the improper batter becoming a batter-runner will be nullified. Any out that is made prior to discovering this infraction remains out.

iii. the next batter is the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing to bat. If the next player was the incorrect batter, who was called out, go to the next person in the line-up.

iv. if the player who was the improper batter was called out, their turn at bat will not take place in the same inning, until all other batters in the batting order have completed their turn at bat. If their turn at bat occurs before this occurs, go to the next batter.

v. if the batter declared out under these circumstances is the third out, the correct batter in the next inning will be the player who would have come to bat had the player been put out by ordinary play.

vi. if the third out is made on a batter-runner or runner prior to the discovery of the infraction, an appeal may still be made in order to reinstate the correct batting order.

c) if the error is discovered after the first legal or illegal pitch to the next batter:

i. the turn at bat of the incorrect batter is legal.

ii. all runs scored and bases run are legal.

iii. the next batter in order will be the one whose name follows that of the incorrect batter.

iv. no one is called out for failure to bat.

v. players who have not batted and who have not been called out have lost their turn at bat until reached again in the regular order.

d) No runner will be removed from the base they are occupying to bat in their proper place. They merely miss their turn at bat with no penalty. The batter following in the batting order becomes the legal batter. This does not apply to a batter-runner who has been taken off the base by the umpire as in b) (ii) above.

5.4.2 BATTING REQUIREMENTS

a) A batter must wear an approved helmet.

b) A batter must take their position in the batter’s box within 10 seconds after the umpire declares “PLAY BALL.”

c) No offensive team member may erase the batter’s box lines at any time in the pre-game meeting or during a game.

d) The batter must have both feet completely within the batter’s box prior to the start of the pitch. The batter’s feet may touch the lines, but no part of a foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch.

e) After the batter first enters the batter’s box, they must keep at least one foot entirely inside the batter’s box between pitches, unless:

after a ball that is hit fair or foul;
a swing or an attempted swing that includes a slap or checked swing and the momentum of the swing or attempted swing carries the batter out of the batter’s box;
forced out of the box by a pitch;
when a wild pitch or passed ball occurs;
there is an attempted play;
“TIME” is called;
the pitcher leaves the pitcher’s circle, or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box; or
with a three-ball count, the umpire calls a “strike,” and the batter thinks the pitch was a ball.

5.4.3 BALLS AND STRIKES

Each legally pitched ball that is not hit by the batter is called a ball or a strike by the plate umpire.

a) A ball is called, and the ball is live unless the ball becomes dead for any other reason:

i. when a batter does not swing at a pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone or touches the home plate or touches the ground before reaching the home plate;

ii. when the catcher fails to return the ball directly to the pitcher as required; or

iii. when the pitcher fails to pitch the ball within 20 seconds.

b) A ball is called, and the ball is dead:

for each illegally pitched ball not hit by the batter;
when the manager elects not to take the result of the play after the ball has been hit; or
for each excessive warm-up pitch.

c) A strike is called, the ball is live, and runners may advance with liability to be put out:

when any part of a pitched ball enters the strike zone before touching the ground and the batter does not swing, provided the top of the ball is at or below the sternum or the bottom of the ball is at or above the bottom of the kneecap;
for each legally pitched ball struck at and missed by the batter; or
for each foul tip.

d) A strike is called, the ball is dead, and runners must return to their bases without liability to be put out but need not touch the intervening bases:

i. when a pitched ball hits the batter while the ball is in the strike zone;

ii. for each pitched ball swung at and missed which touches any part of the batter;

iii. for each foul ball when the batter has less than two strikes;

iv. when any part of the batter’s person or clothing is hit with a batted ball while they are in the batter’s box and the count is less than two strikes;

v. when the batter fails to enter the batter’s box within 10 seconds after the umpire calls “play ball.” A pitch does not have to be thrown;

vi. when an offensive team member deliberately erases the lines of the batter’s box.

1. if a batter erases the lines, the umpire will call a strike. A pitch does not have to be thrown.

2. when the coach or non-playing team member erases the lines, a strike will be called on the next scheduled batter (or their substitute) in the line-up.

3. should any person continue to deliberately erase a line after a first offense, that person will be ejected from the game;

vii. when the batter steps out of the batter’s box with both feet and delays the game and none of the exceptions apply. A pitch does not have to be thrown.

5.4.4 THE BATTER IS OUT:

a) and the ball remains live, and runners may advance with jeopardy to be put out when:

the catcher catches a called, swinging or foul tip third strike ; or
three strikes are called, and first base is occupied with less than two out.

b) and the ball is declared dead, and runner must return to the base that was occupied at the time of the pitch but need not touch the intervening bases when the batter:

i. swings for a third strike and misses and the ball touches any part of the batter’s person or not swung at, and the pitched ball hits the batter while the pitch is in the strike zone;

ii. fails to wear a batting helmet when ordered to do so by the umpire;

iii. enters the batter’s box with or is discovered using an altered bat or an illegal bat. In this case, the bat is removed from the game. If the bat is altered the batter is ejected from the game;

SC Effect: If the batter made contact with the ball and the bat is discovered prior to the next legal or illegal pitch, all runners must return to the last base legally held at the time of the pitch.

iv. has their foot completely outside the lines of the batter’s box and touching the ground, or any part of the foot is touching home plate when they hit the ball fair or foul;

v. leaves the box to gain a running start but has returned to the box when they make contact with the ball. If there is no contact made with the pitched ball, there is no penalty;

vi. steps directly in front of the catcher to the other batter’s box while the pitcher is taking the signal, or appears to be taking a signal, from the pitcher’s plate or any time thereafter prior to the release of the pitch; or

vii. hits a fair ball with a bat a second time over fair territory unless:

1. they are standing in the batter’s box, and contact is made while the bat is in their hands. A foul ball is ruled; or

2. they drop the bat and the ball rolls against the bat over fair territory, and, in the umpire’s judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball. The ball should be ruled fair or foul depending on where it comes to rest or is first touched by a player.

c) and the ball is declared dead, and a runner must return to the last base that, in the umpire’s judgment, was touched at the time of the interference when the batter:

hinders the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by stepping out of the batter’s box;
intentionally hinders the catcher while standing within the batter’s box;
interferes with a play at home plate;
intentionally interferes with a thrown ball while in or out of the batter’s box.

5.5 BATTER-RUNNER

5.5.1 THE BATTER BECOMES THE BATTER-RUNNER:

a) when they legally hit a fair or foul ball. The ball is live, on a fair ball or on a caught foul fly ball. The ball is dead on a grounded foul ball.

b) under the third strike rule. The ball is live.

SC Exception – In U13 or under categories, the batter is out on the third strike regardless of whether the ball is caught. The ball remains live.

c) must advance to and touch first base:

when four balls are called by the plate umpire and the ball is live; or
when the defensive team elects to intentionally walk a batter by any one of the pitcher, catcher or head coach notifying the plate umpire and the ball is dead.

1) The notification to the umpire will be considered a pitch. The notification can occur at any time prior to the batter beginning and completing their turn at bat, regardless of the count.

2) If two batters are to be walked intentionally, the second intentional walk may not be administered until the first batter-runner reaches first base. If the umpire mistakenly allows two walks at one time and the first batter fails to touch first base, no appeal for missing first base will be honored on the first batter.

d) when the catcher or any other defensive player obstructs, hinders or prevents the batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball.

e) when a fair ball strikes the person, attached equipment or clothing of the umpire or a runner.

f) when hit by a pitch. The batter’s hands are not considered a part of the bat. The ball is dead and the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out. If no attempt is made to avoid getting hit, the ball is dead and the umpire will call a ball and not award first base.

SC Exception: If a batter is hit with a pitch that is a strike, it will be deemed a strike, whether or not they try to avoid being hit.

g) a home run is declared in the following circumstances when a fair batted fly ball:

goes over the fence over fair territory;
goes directly off the fielder’s glove or body and over the fence in fair territory, or makes contact with the top of the fence and goes over the fence in fair territory;
contacts the foul pole above the fence line; or
is contacted by a fielder, who is in dead ball territory and the ball, in the judgment of the umpire, would have gone over the fence in fair territory. It is not a home run if:

1. the fair batted ball passes out of the grounds at a distance less than those prescribed in the Softball Canada distance guidelines (which should be marked for the umpire’s guidance);

2. a fair batted fly ball goes off a fielder’s glove or body and over the fence in foul territory;

3. a fair batted ball first contacts the fence, deflects off a fielder and then goes over the fence; or

4. a fair batted ball is contacted by a fielder, who is in dead ball territory and in the judgment of the umpire, the ball would not have gone over the fence in fair ball territory.

h) when any person, other than a team member enters into the playing field and interferes with:

a fair batted ground ball, or
a fielder about to field or catch a batted fly ball or thrown ball, or
a fielder about to throw a ball, or
a ball thrown by a fielder.

EFFECTS

Rule 5.5.1d A defensive player prevents the batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball.

Effect

1) The umpire will give a delayed dead ball signal with the ball remaining live until the end of the play.

2) The manager of the offensive team has the option of taking the award for the obstruction or taking the result of the play.

3) If the batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely, and if all other runners have advanced at least one base on the batted ball, the obstruction is canceled. Once a runner has passed a base, even if they miss it, they are considered to have reached that base. All action as a result of the batted ball stands. No option is given.

4) If the manager does not take the result of the play, “catcher obstruction” is enforced by awarding the batter first base and advancing all other runners only, if forced.

Rule 5.5.1e A fair ball striking the person, attached equipment, or clothing of the umpire or a runner.

Effect

1) After touching a fielder (including the pitcher), the ball is in play.

2) After passing a fielder, other than the pitcher and no other fielder had a chance to make an out, the ball is in play.

3) Before passing a fielder, excluding the pitcher, without being touched the ball is dead.

5.5.2 THE BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT

a) The ball remains live and a runner may advance at their own jeopardy when:

i. the catcher drops the third strike and the batter-runner is legally touched with the ball while off the base or thrown out prior to reaching first base;

ii. a fielder legally catches a fly ball before it touches the ground or any other object or person other than a defensive player;

iii. after hitting a fair ball, a batter-runner is tagged while off base or a batter-runner is thrown out prior to reaching first base;

iv. they fail to advance to first base and instead enters their team area;

1. after a fair ball is hit;

2. after a base on balls is issued;

3. anytime that they must legally advance to first base;

v. an infield fly is declared;

vi. after they hit a fair ball, they touch only the fair portion of the double base on their first attempt at that base and a play is made at the base. SC: Failure to touch the foul portion of the base is not an appeal play.

vii. they run more than one (1) meter (three (3) ft) from the base path to avoid being touched by the ball in the hand(s) of a fielder; or

viii. when anyone, other than another runner, physically assists a runner on a fly ball, the batter-runner is out if the fly ball is caught.

b) The ball is declared dead, a runner must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the pitch but need not touch the intervening bases when the batter-runner:

i. fails to wear an approved helmet when ordered to do so by the umpire;

ii. runs outside the one (1) meter (three (3) ft) line and, in the umpire’s judgment, interferes with

1. the fielder taking a throw at first base; or

2. the thrown ball, preventing a fielder from making a play at first base. A thrown ball striking a batter-runner does not necessarily constitute interference;

iii. interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. A batter-runner may run outside the one-meter line to avoid a fielder attempting to field the batted ball;

iv. interferes with a fielder attempting to throw a ball;

v. intentionally interferes with a thrown ball;

vi. interferes with a fair-batted ball (out of the batter’s box) before reaching first base;

vii. interferes with a dropped third strike;

viii. throws their bat, after batting the ball, in such a manner as to cause interference with a fielder’s opportunity to make an out;

ix. when the on-deck batter interferes with a defensive player attempting to catch a fly ball or with a fly ball that a fielder is attempting to catch;

x. a member of the team at bat, who is not the batter, batter-runner, runner or on-deck batter interferes with a fielder attempting to catch a batted foul ball over foul territory or with a batted fly ball over foul territory that a fielder is attempting to catch. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the interference is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play, the runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference will also be called out;

xi. intentionally interferes with a play at home plate to prevent an obvious out at the plate. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the interference is intentional interference with a play at home plate, the runner is also out;

xii. steps back towards home plate to avoid or delay a tag by a fielder;

xiii. when in a force play situation, they touch only the fair portion of the double base and collide with a fielder who is about to catch a thrown ball and who is also using the fair portion of the base;

xiv. with less than two outs and a runner on first base, a fielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball (including a line drive or a bunt) that could be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, after it is controlled with a hand or glove;

xv. bunts foul after the second strike unless a runner interferes with a fielder attempting to catch a bunted fly ball in foul territory or with a foul fly ball a fielder is attempting to catch. The batter-runner will return to bat with an additional strike on the foul ball if the batter had less than two strikes when they hit the ball. If the bunted ball is caught, the ball remains live and in play;

c) A runner must return to the last base that, in the umpire’s judgment, was touched at the time of the interference and the ball is dead when:

i. the immediate preceding runner who is not yet out intentionally interferes, in the umpire’s judgment, with a fielder attempting to

1. catch a thrown ball; or

2. throw a ball in an attempt to complete the play;

ii. a person other than a team member enters the playing field and interferes with:

1. a fielder about to catch a fly ball; or

2. a fly ball that a defensive player, in the judgment of the umpire, is able to catch.

EFFECTS

Rule 5.5.2 a) v An infield fly is declared

Effect The ball is live, and a runner may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If a declared infield fly becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul ball.

If a declared infield fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball.

If a declared infield fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly.

Rule 5.5.2 b) ii to xi Batter-runner causes interference

Effect EXCEPTION: If a play on a runner is made prior to the interference and,

1) An out is made on the runner, the result of the play will stand.

2) No out is made on the runner, the result of that play will stand unless the interference by the batter-runner is the third out. Other runners not played on must return to the base legally held at the time of the pitch.

Rule 5.5.2 c) i Immediate preceding runner causes interference

Effect The ball is dead, and the runner is also out.

5.6 DOUBLE BASE

The following apply when the double base is used:

a) The Batter-runner is subject to the following:

i) A batted ball hitting the fair portion is declared fair and a batted ball hitting the foul portion only is declared foul.

ii) A defensive player must use only the fair portion of the base at all times, except on any live ball play made from first base foul territory. The batter-runner and the defensive player may use either portion of the double base. When the defensive player uses the foul portion of the double base, the batter-runner can run in fair territory, and if hit by a throw from the foul side of first base, it would not be interference. If intentional interference is ruled, the batter-runner would be out. The one-meter line is duplicated on either side of the foul line on throws from foul territory.

iii) If a play is made at first base on any batted ball or the batter runs on a dropped third strike, and the batter-runner touches only the fair portion, the batter-runner is out. SC: This is treated the same as missing the base and is not an appeal.

iv) After over-running the base, the batter-runner must return to the fair portion.

v) On a ball hit to the outfield when there is no play being made at the double base, the batter-runner may touch either portion of the base.

b) The following applies to a runner:

i) After over-running the base, the runner must return to the fair portion.

ii) When tagging up on a fly ball, the fair portion must be used.

iii) On an attempted pick-off play, the runner must return to the fair portion.

iv) Once a runner returns to the fair portion, should they then stand on the foul portion only it is considered not in contact with the base, and the runner will be called out if:

1. they are tagged with the ball; or

2. they stand on the foul portion of the base, while the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle.

5.7 USING AN ILLEGAL GLOVE

When a fielder makes a play on a batter-runner or runner while using an illegal glove, the manager of the offended team has the option of:

a) taking the result of the play;

b) in the case of the batter-runner, having the player resume batting, assuming the ball and strike count prior to the pitch, with other runners returned to the last base legally touched at the time of the pitch; or

c) in the case of a runner, having the play nullified, with runners returning to the last base legally touched at the time of the play. If the play was the result of completion of the batter’s turn at bat, that player resumes batting with the ball and strike count they had prior to completing their turn at bat and runners are returned to the bases held at the time of the pitch. A pitch by the pitcher is not considered making a play.

5.8 REMOVAL OF HELMET

a) When the ball is live, a batter, batter-runner or runner will be declared out when they deliberately wear a helmet improperly or deliberately remove the helmet during a live ball play, other than a home run over the fence. Calling a batter-runner or runner out for deliberately removing their helmet does not cancel any force play situation, however, if a helmet is accidentally dislodged from its proper place on a batter, batter-runner or runner, there is no penalty for the helmet being accidentally dislodged.

b) when the ball is dead, a runner must return to base last touched at the time of contact:

i. When a thrown ball or batted ball makes contact with the deliberately removed helmet or a fielder comes into contact with the deliberately removed helmet while attempting to make a play.

ii. When a batted or thrown ball contacts the accidentally dislodged helmet and this contact interferes with the play being made; or when a defensive player comes into contact with the helmet while it is on the ground and this contact prevents them from making a play and the batter-runner, or runner who was wearing the helmet that was accidentally dislodged is out, even if they have scored. The run is nullified.

5.9 TOUCHING BASES IN LEGAL ORDER

a) The Batter-runner and all other runners must touch bases in legal order (i.e., first, second and third base, and home plate) unless they are obstructed at a base preventing them from touching that base, or they are placed on second base under the Tie-Breaker Rule.

b) A runner returning to a base while the ball is live and while in jeopardy to be put out must return to:

i. the base left before a caught fly ball is first touched; or

ii. the missed base, they must touch the bases in reverse order.

c) When a runner is returning to a base while the ball is dead, they need not touch the intervening bases unless they have missed a base, in which case they are subject to a legal appeal if they fail to retouch the missed base.

d) When a runner or batter-runner acquires the right to a base by touching it before being put out, they are entitled to hold the base until they have legally touched the next base in order, or are forced to vacate it for a succeeding runner. The ball is in play, and runners may advance with jeopardy to be put out.

e) When a runner dislodges a base from its proper position, neither they nor succeeding runner(s) in the same series of plays are compelled to follow a base unreasonably out of position. The ball is in play, and runners may advance or return, with jeopardy to be put out.

f) Two runners may not occupy the same base at the same time. The runner who first legally occupied the base is entitled to it unless forced to advance. The other runner may be put out by being tagged with the ball.

g) The failure of a preceding runner to touch a base in regular order or to leave a base legally on a caught fly ball and who is declared out does not affect the status of a succeeding runner who touches bases in proper order. If the failure to touch a base in regular order or to legally tag up on a caught fly ball is the third out of an inning, no succeeding runner may score a run.

h) No runner may return to touch a missed base or one left illegally, after a following runner has scored, or they have left the field of play.

i) Bases left too soon on a caught fly ball must be retouched prior to advancing to awarded bases.

j) Awarded bases must be touched in legal order.

EFFECT

Rule 5.9 b) g-j Touching bases

Effect The runner will be declared out if the defense makes a legal appeal for missing a base or leaving a base before the ball is first touched on a caught fly ball.

5.10 RUNNERS

5.10.1 RUNNERS MAY ADVANCE WITH JEOPARDY

TO BE PUT OUT WHILE THE BALL IS LIVE

a) when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on their delivery;

b) on a thrown or fair batted ball that is not blocked;

c) on a thrown ball that hits an umpire or an offensive player;

d) when a legally caught fly ball is first touched;

e) when a fair batted ball;

i. strikes an umpire or runner after passing a fielder other than the pitcher and provided no other fielder had a chance to make an out;

ii. has been touched by a fielder, including a pitcher; or

iii. when the ball strikes a photographer, groundskeeper, security, etc., assigned to the game; the ball remains live;

f) when a live ball becomes lodged in a defensive player’s uniform or equipment;

g) when at any time they fail to touch a base they are entitled to before attempting to make the next base;

h) when, after overrunning first base, they attempt to continue to second base;

i) when, after dislodging a base, they attempt to continue to the next base;

j) when, on an illegal pitch not hit, and that is also a wild pitch or passed ball, they attempt to advance beyond the one base to which they are legally entitled;

k) when, advancing beyond an entitled base due to:

i. a fielder intentionally contacting a thrown ball with detached equipment;

ii. a fielder intentionally contacting a fair batted ball with detached equipment;

l) when advancing beyond a protected base when they have been obstructed; or

m) When advancing beyond the base to which they are forced because of a base on balls issued to the batter.

EFFECT

Rule 5.10.1 h & i Failing to touch a base or continuing to second base.

Effect The runner will be declared out if the defense makes a legal appeal.

5.10.2 BASES AWARDED TO RUNNER(S) FOR OBSTRUCTION

When an obstruction occurs, including a rundown:

a) a Delayed Dead Ball will be signaled with the ball remaining live until the end of the play;

b) the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction will be awarded the base or bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, had there been no obstruction. If the umpire feels there is justification, a defensive player making a fake tag may be ejected from the game;

SC Note: In the case of a “fake tag”, a warning should be given to both teams. The next “fake tag” should result in the ejection of said player.

c) if the obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base they would have reached had there not been obstruction, a dead ball is called. The obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction will be awarded the base or bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, had obstruction not occurred;

d) An obstructed runner may never be called out between the two bases where they were obstructed, unless:

i) If the obstructed runner commits an act of interference after the obstruction is ruled, or the runner is legally appealed for

1. missing a base, unless the runner has been obstructed at that base and the obstruction prevents them from touching the base;

2. leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched; or

3. after passing the base they would have reached had there not been obstruction, the obstructed runner may be called out, and the ball remains live;

ii) if the obstructed runner safely obtains the base they would have been awarded, in the umpire’s judgment, and there is a subsequent play on a different runner, the obstructed runner is no longer protected between the bases where the runner was obstructed, and may be put out. The ball remains live. Obstructed runners are still required to touch all bases in proper order, or they could be called out on a proper appeal by the defensive team unless the runner was obstructed from touching that base.

5.10.3 RUNNERS ARE OUT

a) A runner is out, and the ball remains live when:

i) while running to any base in regular or reverse order, they run more than one (1) meter (three (3) ft.) from the base path to avoid being tagged;

ii) while the ball is in play and they are not in contact with a base, and they are tagged;

iii) on a force play, and before the runner contacts the base to which they are forced to advance, a fielder while controlling the ball in their hand(s) contacts the base or touches the ball to the base or tags the runner. If a forced runner, after touching the next base, retreats for any reason toward the base they last occupied, the force play is reinstated;

iv) they fail to return to touch the base previously occupied or missed and a legal appeal is made;

v) anyone, other than another runner, physically assists a runner while the ball is in play. When the ball becomes dead after a home run, uncaught foul ball or an award of bases, the ball remains dead;

vi) they physically pass a preceding runner before that runner has been called out. The ball remains live. The runner is not out if the ball becomes a foul ball or an uncaught fly foul ball or if a runner passes a preceding runner on a dead ball play. The ball remains dead;

vii) they leave their base to advance to another base before a caught fly ball has touched a fielder;

viii) they fail to touch the intervening base, or bases, in regular or reverse order unless they are obstructed from doing so;

ix) the batter-runner becomes a runner by touching first base, passes it, then attempts to run to second base and is tagged, while off base;

x) in running or sliding for home plate, they fail to touch it, make no attempt to return to it, and a fielder controls the ball while touching the plate and appeals to the umpire for a decision;

xi) they abandon a base and enter their team area, or leave the field of play, while the ball is live;

xii) they are positioned behind, and not in contact with, a base to get a running start on any fly ball; or

xiii) when runners switch positions on the bases.

b) A runner is out, and the ball is dead when:

i) they fail to wear an approved batting helmet when ordered to do so by the umpire;

ii) they fail to keep contact with the base to which they are entitled until a legally pitched ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. A “No Pitch” is declared and other runners must return to the last base legally held at the time of the pitch;

iii) they are legitimately off their base after a pitch, or as a result of a batter completing their turn at bat and, while the pitcher has the ball within the pitcher’s circle, they do not immediately return to their base, or attempt to advance to the next base.

Once the runner returns to a base for any reason, they will be declared out if they leave said base. A runner will not be declared out if:

1. a play is made on them or another runner (a fake throw is considered a play);

2. the pitcher no longer has possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle; or

3. the pitcher releases the ball by a pitch to the batter.
A base on balls, or dropped third strike in which the runner is entitled to run, is treated the same as a batted ball. The batter-runner may continue past first base, and is entitled to run toward second base, as long as they do not stop at first base. If they stop after they round first base, they must immediately return to first base or immediately continue to second base;

iv) the batter-runner is declared out for interfering with a play at home plate, in an attempt to prevent an obvious out on an advancing runner at the plate. The advancing runner is out and the other runners must return to the last base held at the time of the pitch.

c) A runner is out, the ball is dead and other runners must return to the last base legally held at the time of the interference, blocked ball or the out declared, unless forced to advance because the batter became a batter-runner when:

i) they are struck with an untouched fair-batted ball in fair territory while off base and, in the umpire’s judgment, any fielder had an opportunity to make an out;

ii) they intentionally kick a ball that a fielder has missed;

iii) they interfere with a fielder attempting to field a fair batted ball, regardless of whether the ball has been first touched by the fielder or by another fielder, including the pitcher or interferes with a fielder throwing a ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball;

iv) they interfere with a fielder attempting to catch a batted foul fly ball or with a foul fly ball that a fielder is attempting to catch. If this interference is, in the umpire’s judgment, an obvious attempt to prevent a double play the immediate succeeding runner will be called out. The batter-runner returns to bat with an additional strike on the foul ball, provided the count prior to batting the ball was less than two strikes. If this interference is the third out, the batter-runner will return as the lead-off batter in the next inning, with the original ball and strike count canceled;

v) the runner closest to home plate at the time of interference is called out after a runner, batter or batter-runner has been declared out, or after a runner has scored, the runner, batter or batter-runner interferes with a defensive player’s opportunity to make a play on another runner. A runner continuing to run and drawing a throw will be considered interference;

vi) one or more members of the offensive team stand at, or collect around, a base to which a runner is advancing, thereby confusing fielders and adding to the difficulty of making the play. Members of a team include the bat person or any other person authorized to sit on the team’s bench;

vii) the coach near third base runs in the direction of home plate on or near the baseline, while a fielder is attempting to make a play on a batted or thrown ball, and thereby draws a throw to home plate. It is the runner who is closest to home plate who is called out;

viii) a coach or any member of the team playing offense, who is not a batter, batter-runner, on-deck batter or runner intentionally interferes with a thrown ball while in the coach’s box, or interferes with the defensive team’s opportunity to make a play on a runner, or batter-runner. The runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference is called out;

ix) a defensive player has the ball and is waiting for the runner and the runner remains on their feet and deliberately crashes into the defensive player. If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender will be ejected;

x) they run bases in reverse order, or off the base line, while not attempting to advance, either to confuse the fielders or to make a travesty of the game;

xi) when the on-deck batter interferes with a defensive player’s attempt to retire a runner, the runner closest to home plate will be called out;

xii) non-official offensive equipment causes a blocked ball (and creating interference), and the runner is being played on.
SC: If no apparent play is obvious, no runner will be called out, but all runners will return to the last base touched at the time of the dead ball declaration.

d. when the Plate Umpire, or his clothing, interferes with the catcher’s attempt to retire a runner stealing, or on an attempted pickoff play. If, on a passed ball or wild pitch, a thrown ball from the catcher hits the Umpire, it is not Umpire interference and the ball remains live.

EFFECTS

Rule 5.10.3

a) vii to x Leave too soon on a fly ball, misses a base or tries for second base or misses home plate

Effect The runner will not be declared out unless the defense makes a legal appeal. EXCEPTION: A runner who has left a base too soon on a caught fly ball, or who has missed a base, may attempt to return to such base while the ball is dead.
SC Note: The runner returning must be in the act of returning (running in the direction of the missed base or base left too soon) before the ball goes out of play or is blocked.

Rule 5.10.3

a) xiii Switching bases

Effect This is an appeal play. When the appeal is upheld, each runner discovered to have switched positions on the bases will be declared out and the Head Coach will be ejected for unsporting behaviour. The order of outs will be determined by the location of the runners immediately after the switch. The runner who switched bases and is closest to home plate after the switch will be called out first. The next runner who switched bases and is the second closest to home plate will be called out second and so on. The appeal may be made any time until all runners, who switched positions are in the dugout or the inning is over. If one of the runners who switched bases is on a base, both they and all runners who had switched bases will be out, even if they had scored, and any run(s) scored by improper runners will be nullified.

Rule 5.10.3 c i; 5.10.3 c ii; 5.10.3 c iii

If this interference, in the judgment of the umpire, is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play, the immediate succeeding runner shall also be called out.

Rule 5.10.3 d) Umpire Interference

Effect A Delayed Dead Ball should be signaled, with the ball remaining live until the conclusion of the play.

i. If the runner being played on is ruled out, the out will stand and the ball is live.

ii. Is ruled safe, the ball is dead, and all runners return to the last base held at the time of the throw.

5.10.4 THE RUNNER IS NOT OUT

The runner is not out:

a) when they run behind, or in front of the fielder and outside the base path, in order to avoid interfering with a fielder attempting to field the batted ball in the base path;

b) when they do not run in a direct line to the base, provided the fielder in the direct line does not have the ball in their possession;

c) when more than one fielder attempts to field a batted ball and the runner comes in contact with the one who, in the umpire’s judgment, was not entitled to field the ball;

d) when they are hit with a fair, untouched batted ball while off base that, in the umpire’s judgment, no fielder had an opportunity to make an out;

e) when they are hit with a fair, untouched batted ball over foul territory and, in the umpire’s judgment, no fielder had an opportunity to make an out;

f) when they are hit with a fair-batted ball after it touches, or is touched by, any fielder, including the pitcher, and they could not avoid contact with the ball;

g) when they are hit by a fair ball, untouched batted ball while in contact with their base, unless they intentionally interfere with the ball, or a fielder making a play. The ball will become dead or remain live, depending on the position of the fielder closest to the base;

h) when they are touched while off base:

1. with a ball not securely held by a defensive player; or

2. with a hand or glove of a defensive player and the ball is in the other hand;

i) when the defensive team does not request the umpire’s decision on an appeal play until after the next legal or illegal pitch, or until after all defensive players have left fair territory on their way to the bench or dugout;

j) when a batter-runner becomes a runner, by touching first base, passing it and then returning directly to the base;

k) when they are not given sufficient time to return to a base. They will not be called out for being off base before the pitcher releases the ball and they may advance as though having left the base legally;

l) when they have legally started to advance. They may not be stopped by the pitcher receiving the ball while on the pitching plate, nor by the pitcher stepping onto the plate while holding the ball;

m) when they hold their base until a fly ball touches a fielder and then attempt to advance;

n) when they slide into a base, and it dislodges from its proper position. The base is considered to have followed the runner. A runner reaching a base safely will not be out for being off that base, if it becomes dislodged. They may return to that base without jeopardy to be put out when the base has been replaced. A runner is in jeopardy if they attempt to advance beyond the dislodged base before it is again in proper position;

o) when a coach unintentionally interferes with a thrown ball or batted ball while in the coach’s box; or

p) when the ball contacts non-official offensive equipment and no apparent play is obvious.

EFFECTS

Rule 5.10.4 p) Contact with non-official equipment and no play obvious

Effect The ball is dead and runners must return to the base last touched at the time the ball is declared dead but in returning need not touch the intervening bases.

5.11 BASE RUNNING EFFECTS (OTHER THAN FOR OBSTRUCTION)

EFFECT

Rule or occurrence

a) One Base Award

i) The batter-runner is awarded first base, provided they touch first base, and all other runners advance one base, if forced, from the time of the pitch, in the following circumstances;

1) when four balls have been called by the plate umpire; the ball is live.

2) when an intentional walk is issued; the ball is dead.

3) when the batter is obstructed, and the offensive team takes the option to have the batter awarded first base; the ball is dead.

4) when a batted ball is contacted by an umpire or runner before passing a fielder, excluding the pitcher; the ball is dead.

5) when a batter is hit by a pitch; the ball is dead.

ii) A runner is awarded one base in the following circumstances; the ball is dead except in 6 below;

1) when on an illegal pitch, not hit by the batter, or if hit by the batter, the manager of the offensive team elects to take the award on the illegal pitch rather than the result of the play; the ball is dead;

2) when the ball is pitched and subsequently leaves the playing field or is lodged in the backstop, the award is from the time of the pitch;

3) when a fielder unintentionally carries a ball out of the playing field, the award is from the time the fielder left the field of play. A fielder carrying a live ball into the dugout or team area to tag a player is considered to have unintentionally carried it there;

4) when a player loses possession of the ball during a play, and the ball enters the dead ball territory, the award is from the base last touched at the time the ball entered the dead ball territory;

5) when defensive equipment causes a blocked ball, the award is from the base last touched at the time of the pitch on a pitched ball;

6) when detached equipment contacts a pitched ball.

If a pitched ball eludes the catcher and is retrieved with detached equipment when runner(s) are not advancing, no apparent play is possible, or no advantage. No runners are awarded a base, the ball remains live, and the batter may only advance to first base on ball four or under the third strike rule. They may advance further at their own risk.

b) Two Base Award

i) The batter-runner and runner(s) are awarded two bases from the time of pitch in the following circumstances, and the ball is dead:

1) when a fair batted ball passes out of the playing field at a distance less than the dimensions of a regulation field;

2) when a fair-batted fly ball hits a fielder’s glove or body and lands over the fence in foul territory;

3) when a fair-batted fly ball touches the fence, deflects off a fielder and lands over a fence;

4) when a fair-batted fly ball is touched by a fielder who is in dead ball territory and, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball would not have gone over the fence in fair ball territory;

SC 8.7.h.EFFECT 7.h EXCEPTION 2. when a fair-batted fly ball is touched by a fielder who is in foul territory.

5) when a fair-batted ball bounces over or rolls under or through a fence or passes the dead ball line of the playing field;

6) when a fair batted ball deflects off

a) a defensive player or an umpire; or

b) a runner after passing a fielder excluding the pitcher and provided no other fielder had a chance to make an out, and the ball goes out of play in foul territory.

ii) When the ball is thrown and leaves the playing field or is blocked, the award is from the time the ball left the fielder’s hand. If two runners are between the same two bases, the award is based on the position of the lead runner. If a runner touches the next base and returns to their original base, the original base they left is considered the “last base touched” for the purposes of an overthrow award.

iii) When defensive equipment causes a blocked ball, the award:

1) is from the base last touched at the time of the throw;

2) is from the base last touched at the time of the pitch on a fair batted ball.

iv) When a thrown ball contacts detached equipment. This is a delayed dead ball.

v) a runner is only awarded two bases, and the ball is dead when, in the umpire’s judgment, a fielder intentionally carries, kicks, pushes or throws a live ball from playable territory into dead ball territory. The award is from the time of the kick, push or throw or from the time the ball is carried into dead ball territory.

c) Three Base Award

The batter-runner and runners are awarded three (3) bases, and it is a delayed dead ball when detached equipment contacts a fair batted ball.

d) Four Base Awards

The batter-runner and runners are awarded home plate, and the ball is dead in the following circumstances:

i) when the umpire declares a home run;

ii) when a fair ball is contacted by detached equipment, and in the umpire’s judgment, the ball would have cleared the outfield fence in flight.

e) Umpire Judgment Awards

The batter-runner and runners are awarded the base or bases they would have made in the umpire’s judgment had interference not occurred, and the ball is dead;

i) When a person other than a team member interferes with a ground ball or thrown ball or fielder about to field a ball, including fly balls;

ii) When the ball becomes lodged in umpire gear or clothing or offensive player clothing.