Rule 1 - Definitions
Sec. 1 ALTERED BAT
Occurs when the physical structure of a legal bat has been changed. Examples are:
a. Replacing the handle of a metal bat with a wooden or other type handle.
b. Inserting material inside the bat; applying excessive tape (more than two layers) to the bat grip.
c. Painting a bat at the top or bottom for purposes other than identification.
d. A “flare” or “cone” grip attached to the bat is considered an altered bat.
NOTE: Replacing the grip with another legal grip is not considered altering the bat.
e. Engraved markings for ID purposes on the barrel end of the bat is considered altering a bat.
NOTE: The following are not considered altering the bat:
1. Replacing the grip with another legal grip.
2. Engraved identification ID markings on the knob end of a metal bat.
3. Laser markings for ID purposes anywhere on the bat.
Sec. 2 APPEAL PLAY
A play upon which an umpire cannot make a decision until requested by a manager, coach, or player of the non-offending team. A coach or manager may only make a dead ball appeal after stepping onto the playing field.
a. Can be made while the ball is either dead or live.
b. If made by a fielder, the fielder must be in the infield when making the appeal.
c. The appeal may not be made after any one of the following has occurred:
1) A legal or illegal pitch.
2) At the end of an inning, all defensive players have left fair territory.
3) The umpires have left the field of play following the last play of the game.
EXCEPTION:
1. An appeal for the use of an illegal substitute, an illegal re-entry or for the replacement or withdrawn player not reporting to the umpire may be made at any time while the illegal player or illegal re-entered player or the replacement or withdrawn player is still in the game. This would also include an illegal pitcher who is currently pitching in the game.
2. An appeal for runners switching positions on the bases they occupied may be made any time until all such runners are in the dugout or the half inning is over.
d. These are the types of appeals (ten (10) in total):
1) Missing a base.
2) Leaving a base on a caught fly ball before the ball is first touched.
3) Batting out-of-order.
4) Attempting to advance to second base after making a turn at first base.
5) Illegal pitcher returning to the game as a pitcher.
6) Illegal substitutions.
7) Illegal re-entry.
8) Making a play with an illegal glove.
9) Replacement player or returning withdrawn player not reporting to the umpire.
10) Runners switching positions on bases they occupied.
Sec. 3 BALL COMPRESSION
Ball Compression is the “load force” in kilograms (pounds) required to compress a softball 6.5mm (0.25 inches) when measured in accordance with the ASTM (American Society for Testing Measurements) test method for measuring compression displacement of softballs.
Sec. 4 BALL COR
The Coefficient of Restitution of a softball when measured with the ASTM (American Society for Testing Measurements) test method.
Sec. 5 BASE ON BALLS
a. Another term for a base on balls is a walk.
b. Permits a batter to gain first base without liability to be put out.
c. Awarded to a batter by the umpire when four pitches are judged to be balls.
Sec. 6 BASE PATH
An imaginary line .91 m (3 ft.) to either side of a direct line between the bases.
a. An established base path is a 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.
b. This base path becomes established when the fielder receives the ball and begins his attempt to tag the runner.
Sec. 7 BATTED BALL
a. Any ball that hits the bat; or
b. Is hit by the bat, and lands either in fair or foul territory.
NOTE: No intention to hit the ball is necessary.
Sec. 8 BATTER
a. An offensive player who is in the position of helping his team to score runs.
b. A player becomes the batter when he enters the batter’s box and continues until:
1) He hits the ball into fair territory.
2) He becomes a batter-runner after a dropped third strike.
3) He is awarded first base.
4) He is put out by a defensive play.
5) He is called out by the umpire for a rule infraction.
Sec. 9 BATTER-RUNNER
A player who:
a. Is no longer a batter; and
b. Has not yet been put out or touched first base.
Sec. 10 BATTER’S BOX
The area within which the batter must take a position when taking a turn at bat. The lines are considered as being within the batter’s box.
Sec. 11 BATTING ORDER
The list of nine (9) offensive players in the line-up indicating the order in which the players must come to bat.
A player can never change his position in the batting order.
Sec. 12 BLOCKED BALL
A batted, thrown or pitched ball:
a. That is touched, stopped, or handled by a person not engaged in the game; or
b. Touches any object that is not part of the official equipment or official playing field, or
c. Becomes lodged in the fencing; or
d. Is touched by a defensive player who is in contact with the ground that is not part of the playing area.
Sec. 13 BUNT
A batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within the playing field.
Sec. 14 CATCH
A legally caught ball, which occurs when the fielder catches a batted or thrown ball with his hand(s) or glove.
a. 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.
b. It is not a catch if a fielder, immediately after he contacts the ball, collides with another player, or a wall or falls to the ground and drops the ball as a result of the collision or falling to the ground.
c. In establishing a valid catch, the fielder must hold the ball long enough to prove he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.
d. If a player drops the ball while in the act of throwing it, it is a valid catch.
e. A ball, which strikes anything other than a defensive player while it is in flight, is ruled the same as if it struck the ground.
f. In order to have a valid catch:
1) When moving toward the out-of-play line, the feet must either:
a. Be within the playing area.
b. Touching the out-of-play line.
c. Both feet in the air when the catch is made after leaving the playing area.
2) A player, who is in dead ball area and returns to the playing area, must have both feet touching the playable area, in order to have a valid catch.
Sec. 15 CATCHER’S BOX
That area within which the catcher must remain until the pitch is released. The lines are to be considered within the catcher’s box.
Sec. 16 CHARGED CONFERENCE
Takes place when:
a. (Offensive Conference) The offensive team requests a suspension of play to allow the manager, or other team representative, to confer with any member of their team.
b. (Defensive Conference) The defensive team requests a suspension of play for any reason and a representative (not in the field) of the defensive team enters the playing field and communicates with any defensive player or any defensive player leaves the field of play and goes to the dugout for instructions. In the latter case, “Time” does not have to be called.
Sec. 17 COACH
a. A person who is responsible for the team’s actions on the field.
b. He represents the team in communications with the umpire and opposing team.
c. A player may be designated as a coach in the event the coach is absent, or that player is a playing coach.
d. For the purpose of these rules, the manager of a team is considered to be the Head Coach.
Sec. 18 CROW HOP
The act of the pitcher stepping or leaping off the pitching rubber and then pushing off again from a second starting point.
Sec. 19 DEAD BALL
A ball that:
a. Touches any object that is not part of the official equipment or official playing area; or
b. Touches a player or person not engaged in the game; or
c. Lodges in the umpire’s gear or in an offensive player’s clothing; or
d. The umpire has ruled dead.
e. Is the term used when an umpire stops action because the ball becomes dead.
The “Dead Ball” call is used with the “Time” signal.
NOTE: The ball is not in play and is not considered in play again until the pitcher is holding the ball within the pitcher’s circle and the plate umpire has called “Play Ball.”
Sec. 20 DEFENSIVE TEAM
The team in the field.
Sec. 21 DELAYED DEAD BALL
A game situation in which the ball remains live until the conclusion of a play.
a. When the entire play is completed, the umpire shall rule a dead ball and enforce the appropriate ruling.
Note: The play is completed when:
1. An obstructed runner is called out, or
2. All play has stopped and the umpire has called “Dead Ball” or “Time”.
b. There are five situations when a violation of the rules occur which could cause a delayed dead ball:
1) An illegal pitch.
2) Catcher’s obstruction.
3) Plate umpire interference.
4) Obstruction.
5) Detached equipment contacting a thrown ball, a pitched ball, or a fair-batted ball.
Sec. 22 DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP)
A player of the offensive team who can bat for the FLEX listed in the 10th spot in the lineup provided that the DP and FLEX are announced as part of the starting line-up.
Sec. 23 DISLODGED BASE
A base dislodged from its proper position.
Sec. 24 DOUBLE PLAY
A play by the defence in which two offensive players are legally put out as a result of continuous action.
Sec. 25 EJECTION FROM THE GAME
The act of any umpire ordering a player, official or any team member to leave the game and the grounds for a repeated violation of the rules, or a deliberate or unsportsmanlike act. Failure of the ejected person to leave the game and the grounds will warrant forfeiture of the game.
A legally batted ball which:
a. Settles on fair territory between home and first base or between home and third base.
b. Bounds past first or third base on or over fair territory.
c. Touches first, second or third base.
d. While on or over fair territory, touches the person or clothing of an umpire or player.
e. First falls on fair territory beyond first and third base.
f. While over fair territory, passes out of the playing field beyond the outfield fence.
g. Hits the foul line pole on the fly.
NOTE:
1. A fair fly shall be 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.
2. 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.
3. In the case of interference, the position of the ball at the time of the interference determines whether the ball is fair or foul, regardless if the ball rolls untouched into fair or foul territory.
Sec. 27 FAIR TERRITORY
Part of the playing field within, and including, the first and third base foul lines from home base to the bottom of the extreme playing field fence and perpendicularly upward.
Sec. 28 FAKE TAG
A form of obstruction on a runner, while advancing or returning to a base, by a fielder who is not in possession of the ball, and that impedes the progress of the runner.
a. The runner does not have to stop or slide.
b. Merely slowing down when a fake tag is made would constitute obstruction.
Sec. 29 FIELDER
Any defensive player of the team on the field.
Sec. 30 FLEX PLAYER
The FLEX player is the player for whom the Designated Player is batting and whose name appears in the tenth (10) position in the starting line-up.
Sec. 31 FLY BALL
Any ball batted into the air.
Sec. 32 FORCE OUT
An out which can be made only when a runner loses the right to the base which he is occupying because the batter becomes a batter-runner, and before the batter-runner or a succeeding runner has been put out.
NOTE: On an appeal play, a force out is determined by the situation at the time the appeal is made; not the time of the infraction. e.g. if the force has been removed by an out of a succeeding runner prior to the appeal, then this is no longer a force out.
Sec. 33 FORFEIT
The act of the home plate umpire ruling that the game is over and declaring the nonoffending team the winner due to an infraction of the rules or flagrant misbehaviour by the offending team.
Sec. 34 FOUL BALL
A legally batted ball which:
a. Settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base.
b. Bounds past first or third on or over foul territory.
c. First touches on foul territory beyond first or third base.
d. While on or over foul territory, touches the person or clothing of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground.
e. Touches the batter while within the batter’s box.
f. Immediately rebounds up from the ground or home plate and hits the bat a second time while the batter is in the batter’s box.
NOTE:
1. A foul fly shall be 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.
2. It does not matter whether the ball first touches fair or foul territory if it touches anything foreign to natural ground in foul territory.
3. In the case of interference, the position of the ball at the time of the interference determines whether the ball is fair or foul, regardless if the ball rolls untouched into fair or foul territory.
Sec. 35 FOUL TERRITORY
Any part of the playing field that is not included in fair territory.
Sec. 36 FOUL TIP
A batted ball which:
a. Goes directly from the bat to the catcher’s hands; and
b. Does not go higher than the batter’s head; and
c. Is legally caught by the catcher.
NOTE:
1. It is not a foul tip unless caught; and
2. Any foul tip that is caught is a strike.
3. The ball is in play.
4. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball first touched the catcher’s hand(s) or glove.
Sec. 37 HELMET
a. A helmet must have two earflaps.
b. Shall be the type that has safety features equal to or greater than those provided by the full plastic cap with padding on the inside.
c. A helmet liner only covering the ears does not meet the rule specifications.
d. A helmet worn by a catcher may be the skull type without the earflaps.
e. A helmet worn by a defensive player does not need earflaps.
f. Any helmet that is cracked, broken, dented or altered shall be declared an illegal helmet and removed from the game.
Sec. 38 HOME TEAM
The team who starts the game on defense.
Sec. 39 ILLEGAL BAT
One that does not meet the requirements of Rule 3, Sec. 1.
Sec. 40 ILLEGAL PITCHER
A player legally in the game, but one who may not pitch as a result of being removed from the pitching position by the umpire or manager as a result of the defensive charged conference limit being exceeded.
Sec. 41 ILLEGAL PLAYER
a. A starting player who may legally return to the game after being substituted for and who has done so without reporting to the umpire.
b. A substitute entering the game without reporting to the umpire.
Sec. 42 ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY
Occurs when:
a. A starting player returns to the game a second time after twice being substituted; or
b. A starting player returns to the game after being substituted but not in his original position in the offensive line-up; or
c. A substitute who has legally been in the game returns to the game after being replaced by either the starting player or another substitute; or
d. The FLEX is placed into the batting order in a position other than that of the starting DP; or
e. The starting DP is placed into the batting order in a position other than his original starting position.
Sec. 43 ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTE
A player who has entered the game without being announced to the umpire. He may be:
a. A player who has not previously been in the game.
b. A declared illegal player.
c. A declared ineligible player.
d. An illegal re-entry; or
e. An illegal DP or FLEX.
f. A replacement or returning withdrawn player.
NOTE: A replacement player is required to report to the umpire but is not governed by any other substitution rules.
Sec. 44 ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL
Occurs when:
a. A batter hits a fair or foul ball while his entire foot is completely out of the box and on the ground.
b. Any part of the batter’s foot is touching home plate when he hits the ball.
c. The batter hits the ball with an illegal or altered bat.
d. The batter steps with his entire foot out of the batter’s box, and returns to contact the ball while inside the batter’s box.
Sec. 45 ILLEGALLY CAUGHT BALL
Occurs when a fielder controls a batted, thrown, or pitched ball with his cap, mask, glove, or any part of his uniform while it is detached from its proper place.
Sec. 46 INELIGIBLE PLAYER
A player who may no longer legally participate in the game because the umpire has removed him.
a. An ineligible player may no longer participate as a player.
b. The use of an ineligible player will constitute a forfeit.
Sec. 47 INELIGIBLE REPLACEMENT PLAYER
A player who may NOT enter the game to replace a player who must leave the game to attend to an injury that has caused bleeding. An ineligible replacement player is one who:
a. has been removed or ejected from the game by the umpire for a violation of the rules.
b. is in the current line-up.
c. an injured/ill player removed from the game (minor only).
Sec. 48 IN FLIGHT
Describes any batted, thrown, or pitched ball that has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder.
Sec. 49 IN JEOPARDY
A term indicating that the ball is in play and an offensive player may be put out.
Sec. 50 INFIELD
The portion of the field in fair territory that includes areas normally covered by infielders.
Sec. 51 INFIELDER
A defensive player who is generally positioned anywhere near the lines formed by the base paths within fair territory.
a. Players who normally play in the outfield can be considered infielders if they move into the area normally covered by infielders.
b. Pitchers and catchers are considered infielders.
Sec. 52 INFIELD FLY
a. Is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or a bunt):
1) When first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied.
2) That can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.
3) Before two are out.
b. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder that positions himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.
NOTE:
1. When it becomes apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, either umpire shall immediately declare, “INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR-THE BATTER IS OUT,” for the benefit of the runners.
2. The ball is live and runners 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.
3. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Sec. 53 INNING
The portion of a game within which the teams alternate on offence and defence, and in which there are three outs for each team. A new inning begins immediately after the final out of the previous inning.
Sec. 54 INTENTIONALLY DROPPED FLY BALL
A fair fly ball including a bunt or line drive:
1) with fewer than two out, and
2) a runner on first base, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, and the infielder intentionally drops, after it is controlled with a hand or glove.
NOTE: A trapped ball or a fly ball allowed to bounce shall not be considered as having been intentionally dropped.
Sec. 55 INTERFERENCE
The act of:
a. An offensive player or team member that 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 a base.
c. An umpire who is hit with a fair-batted ball prior to it passing an infielder excluding the pitcher.
d. A spectator who reaches into the playing field and impedes a fielder playing the ball.
Sec. 56 LEAPING
The act of a pitcher which causes him to be airborne on his initial move and push from the pitcher’s plate. The momentum built by the forward movement of the pitcher causes the entire body, including both the pivot and stepping (non-pivot) foot to be in the air at the same time and moving towards home plate as the delivery is completed.
1) (Male U16 and above categories only) - The pitch is completed when the pitcher lands and with continuous motion delivers the ball to the plate. The pivot foot may push off and/or follow through with this continuous action. Leaping is a legal act.
2) For all female categories and male categories up to and including U14, leaping is an illegal act.
Sec. 57 LEGAL TOUCH
Occurs when the ball, while it is securely held in a fielder’s hand, touches a runner or batter-runner who is not touching a base.
a. The ball is not considered as having been securely held if it is juggled or dropped by the fielder after having touched the runner, unless the runner deliberately knocks the ball from the hand of the fielder.
b. It is sufficient for the runner to be touched with the hand or glove with which the ball is held.
Sec. 58 LEGALLY CAUGHT BALL
a. Occurs when a fielder catches a batted, thrown or pitched ball, provided it is not caught in the fielder’s cap, helmet, mask, protector, pocket, or other part of his uniform; and
b. It must be caught and firmly held in the hand(s) or glove.
c. The fielder must demonstrate control of their body through to the voluntary and deliberate release of the ball.
Sec. 59 LINE DRIVE
A pitched ball that is batted sharply and directly in flight into the playing field.
Sec. 60 LINE-UP
The official list of players who are currently involved in playing offensive and/or defensive positions in the game. The line-up includes nine spots for the batting order as well as a tenth and eleventh spot for the FLEX and DR (Masters) if used.
Sec. 61 LINE-UP CARD
The official record of the team members involved in the game.
The card is kept by the plate umpire and shall contain:
1) The last name, first name, position and uniform number of the starting players.
2) The batting order.
3) The last name, first name and uniform number of available non-starting players.
4) The last name and first name of the manager/coach.
NOTE: If an incorrect uniform number is listed on the line-up card, it may be corrected and the game continued with no penalty.
Sec. 62 OBSTRUCTION
The act of:
a. A defensive player or team member that hinders or prevents a batter from striking or hitting a pitched ball.
b. A fielder who impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases while:
1) Not in possession of the ball; or
2) Not in the act of fielding the ball; or
3) Making a fake tag; or
4) In possession of the ball and who pushes a runner off a base; or
5) In possession of the ball but not in the act of making a play on the runner.
Sec. 63 OFFENSIVE PLAYER ONLY (OPO)
An Offensive Player Only (OPO) is a player in the batting order, other than the Flex, for whom the DP is playing defense.
Sec. 64 OFFENSIVE TEAM
The team at bat.
Sec. 65 OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT
Official Equipment is considered to be any equipment (bats, gloves, helmets, etc) in current use by the defensive or offensive team in the course of play. Defensive equipment (gloves for example) left on the field by the offensive team would not be considered Official Equipment.
Sec. 66 ON-DECK CIRCLE
a. The area to warm-up or take practice swings for the player who bats after the current batter.
b. Only one player may be in the on-deck circle.
Sec. 67 ON-DECK BATTER
The offensive player whose name follows the name of the batter in the batting order.
Sec. 68 OPTION PLAY
A play where the offensive or defensive coach may have the choice of taking the enforcement of the rule or the result of the play.
Such options include:
1) Catcher obstruction;
2) Use of illegal glove;
3) Illegal substitution;
4) Illegal pitch on a hit where all runners and the batter do not advance at least one base safely;
5) Illegal pitcher returned to the game and pitching.
Sec. 69 OUTFIELD
a. The portion of the field that is outside the diamond formed by the baselines; and
b. The area not normally covered by an infielder and within the foul lines beyond first and third bases and boundaries of the grounds.
Sec. 70 OVER-SLIDE
The act of an offensive player when, as a runner, he loses contact with the base he is attempting to reach with a slide.
a. It is usually caused when his momentum causes him to lose contact with the base, which then causes him to be in jeopardy.
b. The batter-runner may over-slide first base without being in jeopardy if he immediately returns to that base.
Sec. 71 OVERTHROW
A play in which a ball is thrown from one fielder to another, resulting in the ball going beyond the boundary lines of the playing field or becoming blocked.
Sec. 72 PASSED BALL
A pitched ball that the catcher should have held or controlled with ordinary effort.
Sec. 73 PITCH
The act performed by the pitcher in delivering the ball to the batter.
Sec. 74 PITCHER’S CIRCLE
The area within 2.5 m (8 ft.) radius of the pitcher’s plate. The lines are considered within the circle.
Sec. 75 PITCHER’S PLATE
The wood or rubber board the pitcher’s feet must be in contact with at the start of the pitch.
Sec. 76 PIVOT FOOT
The foot with which the pitcher pushes off the pitcher’s plate (see Rule 6, Sec. 2).
Sec. 77 “PLAY BALL”
The term used by the plate umpire to indicate that play shall begin or be resumed when the pitcher holds the ball and is within the pitcher’s circle.
All defensive players (except the catcher who must be in the catcher’s box) must be in fair territory to put the ball in play.
Sec. 78 PRE-GAME MEETING
A meeting held five (5) minutes prior to the game, when the coaches present their line-up cards to the plate umpire.
a. At the meeting, the plate umpire reviews the line-up cards with the coaches and the coaches approve their line-up cards.
b. Once the line-up cards are approved, all subsequent changes to the line-up must be reported to the plate umpire.
c. The plate umpire will review any special ground rules for the game, answer questions and issue instructions deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the game.
Sec. 79 QUICK RETURN PITCH
One made by the pitcher, before the batter takes his desired position in the batter’s box or while he is still off balance from the previous pitch in order to keep or catch the batter off balance.
Sec. 80 RE-ENTRY
The act of any of the starting players returning to the game after being legally or illegally substituted.
Sec. 81 REMOVAL FROM THE GAME
The act of the umpire declaring a player ineligible for further participation in the game as a result of an infraction of the rules.
Any person so removed may continue to sit on the bench but shall not participate further in the game except as a coach.
Sec. 82 REPLACEMENT PLAYER
A player required to enter the game for a defined period of time to replace a player who must leave the game to attend to an injury that has caused bleeding.
a. The replacement player may be a person who has previously been in the game, provided that such player has not been either removed or ejected by the umpire for a violation of the rules.
b. A replacement player may not be a player currently in the line-up.
c. A replacement player is not classified as a substitute but must be reported to the umpire.
Sec. 83 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.
Sec. 84 SLAP HIT
A batted ball that has been struck with a controlled short, chopping motion rather than with a full swing.
a. The two most common types of slap hit are:
1) Those in which the batter takes his stance as if to bunt, but then either drives the ball into the ground with a quick, short swing or punches the ball over the infield.
2) Those in which the batter takes running steps (within the batter’s box) toward the pitcher before making contact with the pitch.
b. A slap hit is not considered to be a bunt.
Sec. 85 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 while the runner is leaving with the pitch.
Sec. 86 STARTING LINE-UP
The list of players’ names shown on the line-up card that will start the game.
a. The starting line-up will indicate if a DP/FLEX or a DR will be used.
b. The starting line-up will include the players’ numbers and positions.
Sec. 87 STARTING PLAYER
A player listed on the official line-up given to the Umpire-in-Chief and/or the plate umpire.
Sec. 88 STEALING
The act of a runner attempting to advance during or after a pitch to the batter.
Sec. 89 STRIKE ZONE
The space over any part of home plate between the batter’s armpits and the top of his knees when the batter assumes his natural batting stance.
Sec. 90 SUBSTITUTE
A substitute is a player listed on the official line-up card, who is:
a. A non-starting player who has not been in the game.
b. A starting player who has left the game once and may legally return to the game.
NOTE (Sec. 90b):
1. This is referred to as a re-entry.
2. The player must return to his previous position in the batting order.
c. The FLEX going into the batting order for the DP (substitute for DP).
d. The DP playing defense for the FLEX (substitute for the FLEX).
Sec. 91 SUBSTITUTION
The act of a manager, coach or player announcing to the plate umpire that a player who is currently in the line-up is being replaced by a player who is not currently in the line-up.
Sec. 92 TAG
The act of a fielder touching a runner with the ball in the glove and the ball is held securely during and immediately following the touching action.
Sec. 93 TAGGING UP
The action of a runner returning to his base, or remaining on his base, before he legally advances on a batted fly ball that is first touched by a fielder. This is not to be confused with the action of a fielder tagging a base or a runner.
Sec. 94 TEAM MEMBER
Includes any person authorized to sit on the team bench.
Sec. 95 TEMPORARY RUNNER
A player who may run for the catcher of record from the previous defensive inning and who is now on base with two out.
The temporary runner must be:
1) Currently in the batting order.
2) The person in the batting order who is furthest from coming to bat and who is not on base.
Sec. 96 THREE-FOOT LINE (ONE-METER LINE)
The area where a batter-runner must run to avoid being called out for interference from a thrown ball unless the throw is from the foul side of the first base foul line.
Sec. 97 THROW
The act performed by a fielder when throwing the ball to another fielder.
Sec. 98 TIME
The term used by the umpire to order the suspension of play when the ball is dead.
Sec. 99 TRAPPED BALL
Occurs when:
a. A legally batted fly ball or line drive hits the ground or a fence immediately prior to being caught.
b. A legally batted fly ball is caught against a fence with the glove or bare hand.
c. A thrown ball to any base for a force out which is caught with the glove over the ball on the ground rather than under the ball.
d. A pitched ball touches the ground on a strike immediately prior to the catcher catching it.
Sec. 100 TRIPLE PLAY
A continuous action play by the defence on which three offensive players are put out.
Sec. 101 TURN AT BAT
a. The time while a player is a batter; or
b. The time a team is the offensive team.
Sec. 102 VISITOR TEAM
The team who starts the game on offense.
Sec. 103 WILD PITCH
A pitch so high, so low, or so wide of the plate that the catcher cannot, or does not, control it with ordinary effort.
Sec. 104 WILD THROW
A play in which a ball is thrown from one fielder to another, and cannot be caught or controlled, is not blocked and remains in play.
Sec. 105 WITHDRAWN PLAYER
A player forced to leave the game due to uncontrolled bleeding or a blood soiled uniform.
