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  Index to the Official Baseball Rules (OBR)

 abandon base
  after touching first base ...................
  after touching home .........................
  See also .....................................
 
 5.09(b)(2),  5.09(b)(11, 12)
 5.09(c)(4)
 Abandoning the Basepath
 accident
  to player or umpire .........................
 
 5.12(b)(3)
 appeals (proper appeal)
  defined .....................................
  abandoning first base .......................
  abandoning home plate........................
  batting out of turn .........................
  checked swing appeal ........................
  following runner, two outs ..................
  overrunning first base ......................
  runner fails to touch base ..................
  runner fails to tag up ......................
  appeal of umpire's decision .................
  See also .....................................
 
 Definitions (appeal)5.09(c)
 5.09(b)(2), 5.09(b)(2) Comment
 5.09(c)(4)
 6.03(b)
 5.07(c)8.02(c) Comment
 5.09(d)
 5.09(c)(3)
 5.09(c)(2)
 5.09(c)(1)
 8.02 (entire)
 Proper Appeals
 arguing judgment calls
  disapproval from dugout .....................
  umpire's authority ..........................
 
 6.04(e)
 8.02(a)
 awarding bases
  one base: balk .............................
  one base: interfere stealing home ..........
  one base: fielder falls out of play ........
  one base: pitch lodged in gear .............
  one base: pitched ball out of play .........
  two bases: ball overthrown out of play .....
  two bases: batted ball bounds out of play ..
  two bases: batted ball deflected out of play
  two bases: thrown ball illegally touched ...
  three bases: touch ball with uniform .......
  three bases: touch ball with thrown glove ..
  four bases: home run .......................
  See also ....................................
 
 5.06(a)(Penalty)
 6.01(g)
 5.06(b)(3)(C)
 5.06(c)(7)
 5.06(b)(4)(H)
 5.06(b)(4)(G)
 5.05(a)(6, 7)
 5.06(b)(4)(F)
 5.06(b)(4)(D, E)
 5.06(b)(4)(B)
 5.06(b)(4)(C)
 5.05(a)(5), 5.06(a)(4)
 Awarding Bases
  - B -   [ back to top ]
 backswing interference
  "weak" interference ........................

 6.03(a)(4) Comment
 balk
  defined ....................................
  actions that are balks .....................
  catcher's balk .............................
  if caused by offensive team ................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (balk)
 6.02(a) (entire)
 5.02(a)
 6.04(a)(3)
 Balks & illegal pitches
 ball (pitched ball)
  defined ....................................

 Definitions (ball)
 ball (the baseball)
  description and specifications .............
  enters dead-ball territory .................
  hit a second time ..........................
  illegally batted ball ......................
  intentionally dropped ......................
  lodges in equipment ........................
  new balls put in play ......................
  touches umpire, runner, base coach .........
  putting ball in play / dead ball ...........

 3.01
 5.05(a)(5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
 5.09(a)(8, Comment)
 6.03(a)(1)
 5.09(a)(12)
 5.06(c)(7)5.06(b)(4)(I)
 4.01(e, e Comment)
 5.05(a)(4)
 5.015.12
 base(s)
  defined ....................................
  description and specifications .............
  occupying a base ...........................
  two runners occupying ......................
  runner advancing and retreating ............
  runner loses right to ......................
  missed base ................................

 Definitions (base)2.03
 2.03Diagram 2
 5.06(a)
 5.06(a)(2)
 5.06(b)
 5.06(a)(1)
 5.09(c)(2)
 base on balls
  defined ....................................
  award first base ...........................

 Definitions (base on balls)
 5.05(b)(1)
 base coach
  defined ....................................
  must station two base coaches ..............
  interference by ............................
  accidental interference ....................

 Definitions (base coach)
 5.03
 6.01(a)(8, 9)
 6.01(f)
 base line (path)
  layout of the field ........................
  the running lane to 1st ....................
  fielder in path (obstruction) ..............
  runner abandons ............................
  runner leaves to avoid tag .................
  See also ....................................

 2.01
 5.09(a)(11)
 6.01 (h)
 5.09(b)(2)
 5.09(b)(1)
 Basepath & Running Lane
 bat
  regulations and specifications .............
  touched by catcher on pitch ................
  hits fair ball second time .................

 3.02
 5.05(b)(3)
 5.09(a)(8)
 batter
  defined ....................................
  batter becomes a runner when ...............
  batter is out when .........................
  catcher interferes with ....................
  batter's interference ......................
  batter illegal action ......................
  base on balls ..............................
  hit by pitch ...............................
  position in the batter's box ...............
  time at bat complete .......................
  delays game ................................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (batter)
 5.05(a, b)
 5.09(a)
 6.01(c)
 6.01(a)(1, 2, 3), 6.03(a)(3)
 6.03 (entire)
 5.05(b)(1)
 5.05(b)(2)
 5.04(b)(5)
 5.04(c)
 5.04(b)(2, 3)
 Batter Interference
 batter's box
  defined ....................................
  batter's box rule ..........................
  hit ball with foot outside of ..............

 Definitions (batter's box)
 5.04(b)(4)
 6.03(a)(1)
 batter's interference
  batter illegal action ......................
  interferes with catcher fielding ...........
  thrown bat interferes with catcher .........
  on play at home (fewer than 2 outs) ........
  interferes with play at the plate ..........
  See also ....................................

 6.03 (entire)
 6.03(a)(3)
 6.03(a)(4)
 6.01(a)(3)
 5.09(b)(8)
 Batter's Interference
 batting helmet
  regulations and specifications .............

 3.08
 batting order
  batting order rules ........................
  sub's position in batting order ............

 5.04(a)
 5.10(a)
 batting out of order
  rules and remedies .........................

 6.03(b) (entire)
 bench (dugout)
  definition and specifications ..............

 Definitions (bench),  2.05
  - C -   [ back to top ]
 called game
  defined ....................................
  regulation game ............................
  "no game" ..................................

 Definitions (called game)
 7.01 (entire)
 7.01(e)
 catch
  defined ....................................
  caught in dead ball territory, dugout ......
  fielder falls in dead ball territory .......
  by catcher, third strike ...................
  fielder has right of way making catch ......
  intentionally dropped fly ball .............
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (catch)
 5.12(b)(6)
 5.06(b)(3)(C)
 5.09(a)(2)
 6.01(b)
 5.09(a)(12)
 The Catch
 catcher
  defined ....................................
  batter interferes with .....................
  backswing interference with ................
  ball lodges in equipment ...................
  blocks plate without ball (obstruction) ....
  catcher's interference .....................
  interferes with runner stealing home .......
  collisions at home plate ...................
  umpire interferes with catcher .............
  See also ....................................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (catcher)
 6.03(a)(3)
 6.03(a)(3, 4 Comment)
 5.06(c)(7)5.06(b)(4)(I)
 Definitions (obstruction), 6.01(h)
 5.05(b)(3)
 6.01(g)
 6.01(i)(1, 2)
 5.06(c)(2)
 Defensive (Catcher's) Interference
 Catcher's Balk
 catcher's box
  defined ....................................
  specifications .............................

 Definitions (catcher's box)
 2.01
 checked swing (half swing)
  appeal of ..................................

 8.02(c) Comment
 collisions at home plate
  runner's actions causing ...................

 6.01(i)
 coach (team manager)
  defined ....................................
  manager responsibilities ...................
  may not mingle with spectators .............
  plate meeting, exchange lineups ............

 Definitions (coach)
 4.02
 4.06
 4.03
 coach (base coach)
  defined ....................................
  rules governing ............................
  interference by ............................
  accidental interference ....................

 Definitions (base coach)
 5.03
 6.01(a)(8, 9)
 6.01(f)
 conferences (with players)
  defensive (visits to mound) ................
 
 5.10(l)(1-4)
  - D -   [ back to top ]
 dead ball
  defined ....................................
  ball becomes dead when .....................

 Definitions (dead ball)
 5.06(c) (entire)
 dead ball area
  layout of the field ........................
  fielder falls into after catch .............

 2.01
 5.06(b)(3)(C)
 delay of game
  batter must remain in batters box ..........
  refuses to take position in batters box ....
  the batter's box rule ......................
  pitcher delays (12-second rule) ............
  intentionally delays by throwing ball ......
  team forfeits for delay of game ............
 
 5.04(b)(2)
 5.04(b)(3)
 5.04(b)(4)
 5.07(c)
 6.02(c)(8)
 7.03(a)(1, 2, 3, 4)
 designated hitter
  designated hitter rule .....................
 
 5.11 (entire)
 disqualification (player, coach)
  ejections, umpire authority ................
 
 8.01(c, d, e)
 double play
  defined ....................................
  runner interferes with .....................

 Definitions (double play)
 6.01(a)(7)
 dropped 3rd strike (3rd strike not caught)
  batter become runner when ..................
  batter is out when .........................
 
 5.05(a)(2)
 5.09(a)(2, 3)
  - E -   [ back to top ]
 ejection
  umpire authroity to eject ..................
  ejected person must leave field ............
 
 8.01(c, d, e)
 6.04(d, e)
 equipment
  the ball ...................................
  the bat ....................................
  player uniforms ............................
  the catcher's mitt .........................
  the first baseman's mitt ...................
  the fielder's glove ........................
  the pitcher's glove ........................
  helmets ....................................

 3.01
 3.02
 3.03
 3.04
 3.05
 3.06
 3.07
 3.08
  - F -   [ back to top ]
 fair ball
  defined ....................................
  touches batter in/out of box ...............
  touches runner or umpire ...................
  hits bat a second time .....................

 Definitions (fair ball)
 5.09(a)(7)
 5.06(c)(6)
 5.09(a)(8), 5.09(a)(8 Comment)
 fair territory
  defined ....................................
  fielders must be in ........................

 Definitions (fair territory)
 5.02(a, c)
 fielder
  defined ....................................
  shall not distract batter ..................
  unsportsmanlike conduct by .................
  intentionally drops fly ball ...............
  enters as unannounced substitute ...........

 Definitions (fielder)
 6.04(c)
 6.04(a)
 5.09(12)
 5.10(j)(3)
 fielder's choice
  defined ....................................

 Definitions (fielders choice)
 first base
  fails to return after overrunning ..........
  batter-runner outside running lane .........
  abandonment after reaching .................
  layout of the field ........................
 
 6.04(x)
 5.09(b)(1)
 5.09(b)(2)
 2.03
 fly ball
  deflected out of play ......................
  intentionally dropped ......................
  fielder falls in dead ball area after catch
  fielder reaches into dugout to make a catch
  See also ....................................

 5.05(a)(8, 9)
 5.09(12)
 5.12(b)(6)
 5.09(a)(1)(Comment)
 The Catch
 force play
  defined ....................................
  force play slide rule ......................
  no run scores if third out .................
  following runner on appeal play ............

 Definitions (force play)
 6.01(j)
 5.08(a)(Exception)
 5.09(d)
 forfeit
  defined ....................................
  grounds for forfeiting a game ..............

 Definitions (forfeit)
 7.03 (entire)
 foul ball
  defined ....................................
  runner intentionally deflects foul ball ....
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (foul ball)
 5.09(a)(9)
 Foul Ball / Foul Tip
 foul territory
  defined ....................................
  foul lines, foul pole ......................

 Definitions (foul territory)
 2.01
 foul tip
  defined ....................................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (foul tip)
 Foul Ball / Foul Tip
 fourth out
  appeal scenario ............................
 
 5.09(c)(4)
  - G -   [ back to top ]
 game
  regulation game ............................
  suspended game .............................
  postponed game .............................
  "called" game ..............................
  tie game ...................................
  the game ends when .........................
 
 7.01 (entire)
 7.02(a, b, c)
 7.02(b)(5)
 7.01(g)(4)
 7.02(b)(4)(B)
 7.01(g)
  - H -   [ back to top ]
 hit by pitch (batter)
  rules and remedies .........................

 5.05(b)(2)
 home
  home base (plate) ..........................
  batter interferes with play at .............
  catcher interferes with play at ............
  catcher interferes during squeeze play at ..
  runner fails to touch ......................
 
 2.02
 6.01(a)(3)
 5.05(b)(3)
 6.01(g)
 5.09(b)(12)
  - I -   [ back to top ]
 illegal pitch
  defined ....................................
  with bases unoccupied ......................
  Pitching Prohibitions ......................
  penalty / when penalty waived ..............
  whe caused by offensive team ...............

 Definitions (illegal pitch)
 6.02(b)
 6.02(c) (entire)
 6.02(a) Penalty, Approved Ruling, Comment
 6.04(a)(3)
 illegally batted ball
  rule explained .............................
  ball becomes dead, runners return ..........

 6.03(a)(1)
 5.06(c)(4)
 infield fly
  defined ....................................
  batter out when declared ...................
  runner on base not out if touched by .......
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (infield fly)
 5.09(a)(5)
 5.09(b)(7) Exception
 Infield Fly Rule
 injury
  incapacitates player or umpire .............
  to pitcher .................................
 
 5.12(b)(3)
 5.10(g)
 inning
  defined ....................................

 Definitions (inning)
 intentional
  intentionally dropped fair fly ball ........
  intentionally deflect ball in foul ground ..
  intentionally touched thrown ball ..........
  intentionally collides with catcher ........
  pitcher intentionally delays game ..........
  pitcher intentionally throws at batter .....
 
 5.09(a)(12)
 5.09(a)(9)
 5.09(b)(3), 6.01(a)(10)
 6.01(j)
 6.02(c)(8)
 6.02(c)(9)
 interference
  defined ....................................
  batter-runner (offensive) interference .....
  defensive "catcher's interference ..........
  umpire interference ........................
  coach's interference .......................
  spectator interference .....................
  baskswing interference .....................
  to break up double play ....................
  unintentional interference .................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (interference)
 6.01(a) (entire)
 6.01(c)
 6.01(f)
 6.01(f)
 6.01(e)
 6.03(a)(4) Comment
 6.01(j)
 6.01(d)
 Offensive Interference
 Defensive (Catcher's) Interference
 Batter Interference
 Umpire Interference
 Spectator Interference
  - L, M -   [ back to top ]
 live ball
  defined ....................................
  umpire calls "play"/"time" .................

 Definitions (live ball)
 5.01(b)
 missed base
  appeal of ..................................
  runner fails to touch awarded base .........
  runner misses home .........................
  base missed by preceding runner ............
  See also ....................................
 
 5.09(c)(2)
 5.06(b)(3)(D) Note
 5.09(c)(4)
 5.09(d)
 Proper Appeals
 mitt
  catcher's mitt .............................
  first baseman's mitt .......................
 
 3.04
 3.05
  - O -   [ back to top ]
 obstruction
  defined ....................................
  Type 1 obstruction (type A) ................
  Type 2 obstruction (type B) ................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (obstruction)
 6.01(h)(1)
 6.01(h)(2)
 Obstruction
 overrunning first base
  tagged while off the base ..................
  fails to return immediately ................
  attempts to advance beyond first ...........
 
 5.09(b)(4)
 5.09(b)(11)
 5.09(b)(11)
 out
  defined ....................................
  retiring the batter ........................
  retiring the runner ........................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (out)
 5.09(a) (entire)
 5.09(b) (entire)
 Getting Outs
  - P -   [ back to top ]
 pitch
  defined ....................................
  legal pitching positions ...................
  the windup position ........................
  the set position ...........................
  illegal pitch ..............................
  balks ......................................
  pitch lodges in catcher or umpire gear .....
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (pitch)
 5.07(a)
 5.07(a)(1)
 5.07(a)(2)
 6.02(b)
 6.02(a)
 5.06(b)(4)(I), 5.06(c)(7)
 The Pitcher
 The Pitching Positions
 Balls & Strikes
 Balks & Illegal Pitches
 pitcher
  defined ....................................
  pitching prohibitions ......................
  pitcher's glove ............................

 Definitions (pitcher)
 6.02(c)
 3.07
 pitcher's plate
  layout of the field ........................

 2.04
 "play" (umpire calls)
  starting the game ("Play Ball!") ...........
  pitcher must be on pitching plate ..........
 
 5.01(1)(a, b, c)
 5.12
 playing field
  layout of the field ........................

 2.01
 protective gear (helmets)
  regulations and specifications .............

 3.08
 protests
  regulations governing ......................

 7.04
  - R -   [ back to top ]
 regulation game
  regulations governing ......................

 7.01
 retouch (tag up)
  defined ....................................
  fails to tag up (appeal) ...................
  preceding runner fails to retouch ..........
  must touch while advancing and retreating ..

 Definitions (retouch)
 5.09(b)(5)
 5.09(d)
 5.06(b)(1)
 runner
  defined ....................................
  when a batter becomes a runner .............
  running the bases ..........................
  occupying the base .........................
  advancing bases ............................
  abandons basepath ..........................
  runner is out when .........................
  runner is out on appeal when ...............
  passes preceding runner ....................
  two runners occupy the same base ...........

 Definitions (runner)
 5.05
 5.06
 5.06(a)
 5.06(b)
 5.01(b)(2)
 5.09(b)
 5.09(c)(1, 2, 3, 4)
 5.09(b)(9)
 5.06(a)(2)
 running lane violation
  regulations governing ......................
  See also ....................................

 5.09(a)(11)
 Basepath & Running Lane
  - S -   [ back to top ]
 scoring runs
  how a team scores ..........................
  scoring a run ..............................
  runner not affected by appeal on
     preceeding runner .......................
 
 5.08
 1.04

 5.09(d)
 set position ("the stretch")
  defined ....................................
  the set position ...........................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (set position)
 5.07(a)(2)
 The Pitching Positions
 spectators
  spectators barred from field ...............
  spectator interference .....................
  See also ....................................
 
 6.01(d)
 6.01(e)
 Spectator Interference
 starting pitcher
  must pitch to one batter ...................
 
 5.10(f)
 strike
  defined ....................................
  batter refuses to enter batter's box .......
  batter hit by pitch in strike zone .........
  third strike not caught ....................

 Definitions (strike)
 5.04(b)(3)
 5.05(b)(2)
 5.05(a)(2), 5.09(a)(3)
 strike zone
  defined ....................................
  batter hit by pitch in strike zone .........
  pitch hits runner stealing home ............
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (strike zone)
 5.05(b)(2)
 5.09(a)(14)
 Balls & Strikes
 substitutions
  substitutions and pitching changes .........
  in suspended games .........................
  unannounced substitution ...................
  visits to mound ............................
  See also ....................................
 
 5.10
 7.02(c)
 5.10(j)
 5.10(l)
 Managing Substitutions
 suspended game
  suspended, postponed, and tie games .......
 
 7.02
  - T -   [ back to top ]
 tag
  defined ....................................
  tagged off base (except overrunning 1st) ...
  next base tagged on force ..................
  runner leave basepath to avoid .............
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (tag)
 5.09(b)(4)
 5.09(b)(6)
 5.09(b)(1)
 Tags
 tag up (retouch)
  defined ....................................
  fails to tag up (appeal) ...................
  preceding runner fails to retouch ..........
  must touch while advancing and retreating ..

 Definitions (retouch)
 5.09(b)(5)
 5.09(d)
 5.06(b)(1)
 third strike not caught
  third strike not caught ....................
 
 5.05(a)(2), 5.09(a)(3)
 throw
  defined ....................................
  is interfered with .........................
  accidentally touches base coach or umpire ..
  deflected with thrown glove ................
  goes out of play ...........................
  goes out of play during appeal .............

 Definitions (throw)
 6.01(f), 5.09(b)(3), 6.01(a)(10
 6.01(f)
 5.06(b)(4)(D, E)
 5.06(b)(4)(G)
 5.09(c)(4)
 tie game
  defined ....................................
  suspended, postponed, and tie games ........

 Definitions (tie game)
 7.02
 "time" (called by umpire)
  defined ....................................
  calling "time" and dead balls ..............

 Definitions (time)
 5.12
 time play
  See also ....................................

 Time Play
  - U, V -   [ back to top ]
 umpire
  umpire's authority .........................
  umpire duties ..............................
  plate meeting / exchange of lineups ........
  weather and field conditions ...............
  umpire-in-chief ............................
  base umpire ................................
  appeal of umpire decisions .................
  pitcher delays, call ball ..................
  batter refuses to enter box, call strike ...
  general instructions to umpires ............
 
 8.01 (entire)
 4.01
 4.03
 4.04
 8.03(a)
 8.03(b)
 8.02 (entire)
 5.07(c)
 5.04(b)(3)
 General Instructions to Umpires
 umpire interference
  defined ....................................
  plate umpire interferes ....................
  base umpire interferes .....................
  thrown ball touches umpire .................
  See also ....................................

 Definitions (interference(c))
 5.06(c)(2) and Comment, 6.01(a) Comment
 5.05)(a)(4), 5.05(b)(4), 5.06(b)(3)(b), 5.06(c)(6)
 6.01(f)
 umpire interference
 unannounced substitution
  legitimizing unannounced sub ...............
 
 5.10(j)
 uniforms
  player uniforms ............................
 
 3.03
 unsportsmanlike conduct
  unsportsmanlike conduct / actions ..........
  penalty / umpire authority .................
 
 6.04 (entire)
 8.01
 visits to mound
  manager visits to mound ....................
  when a visit is concluded ..................
 
 5.10(l)
 5.10(l)(4) and Comment
  - W -   [ back to top ]
 walk
  defined ....................................
  batter becomes runner when .................
 
 Definitions (base on balls)
 5.05(b)(1)
 warmup pitches
  warmup pitches .............................
 
 5.07(b)
 weather
  umpire is sole judge of playability ........
  game suspended due to ......................
 
 4.04
 7.02(a)(5)
 weak interference
  backswing interference .....................
  See also ....................................
 
 6.03(a)(4) Comment
 Weak Interference
 windup position
  defined ....................................
  windup position ............................
 
 Definitions (windup position)
 5.01(x)