Index to the Official Baseball Rules (OBR)
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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 |
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accident to player or umpire ......................... |
5.12(b)(3) |
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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 |
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arguing judgment calls disapproval from dugout ..................... umpire's authority .......................... |
6.04(e) 8.02(a) |
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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 ] |
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backswing interference "weak" interference ........................ |
6.03(a)(4) Comment |
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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 |
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ball (pitched ball) defined .................................... |
Definitions (ball) |
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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) 5.01, 5.12 |
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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 2.03, Diagram 2 5.06(a) 5.06(a)(2) 5.06(b) 5.06(a)(1) 5.09(c)(2) |
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base on balls defined .................................... award first base ........................... |
Definitions (base on balls) 5.05(b)(1) |
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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) |
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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 |
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bat regulations and specifications ............. touched by catcher on pitch ................ hits fair ball second time ................. |
3.02 5.05(b)(3) 5.09(a)(8) |
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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 |
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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) |
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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 |
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batting helmet regulations and specifications ............. |
3.08 |
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batting order batting order rules ........................ sub's position in batting order ............ |
5.04(a) 5.10(a) |
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batting out of order rules and remedies ......................... |
6.03(b) (entire) |
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bench (dugout) definition and specifications .............. |
Definitions (bench), 2.05 |
| - C - | [ back to top ] |
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called game defined .................................... regulation game ............................ "no game" .................................. |
Definitions (called game) 7.01 (entire) 7.01(e) |
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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 |
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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 |
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catcher's box defined .................................... specifications ............................. |
Definitions (catcher's box) 2.01 |
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checked swing (half swing) appeal of .................................. |
8.02(c) Comment |
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collisions at home plate runner's actions causing ................... |
6.01(i) |
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coach (team manager) defined .................................... manager responsibilities ................... may not mingle with spectators ............. plate meeting, exchange lineups ............ |
Definitions (coach) 4.02 4.06 4.03 |
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coach (base coach) defined .................................... rules governing ............................ interference by ............................ accidental interference .................... |
Definitions (base coach) 5.03 6.01(a)(8, 9) 6.01(f) |
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conferences (with players) defensive (visits to mound) ................ |
5.10(l)(1-4) |
| - D - | [ back to top ] |
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dead ball defined .................................... ball becomes dead when ..................... |
Definitions (dead ball) 5.06(c) (entire) |
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dead ball area layout of the field ........................ fielder falls into after catch ............. |
2.01 5.06(b)(3)(C) |
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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) |
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designated hitter designated hitter rule ..................... |
5.11 (entire) |
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disqualification (player, coach) ejections, umpire authority ................ |
8.01(c, d, e) |
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double play defined .................................... runner interferes with ..................... |
Definitions (double play) 6.01(a)(7) |
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dropped 3rd strike (3rd strike not caught) batter become runner when .................. batter is out when ......................... |
5.05(a)(2) 5.09(a)(2, 3) |
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ejection umpire authroity to eject .................. ejected person must leave field ............ |
8.01(c, d, e) 6.04(d, e) |
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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 ] |
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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) |
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fair territory defined .................................... fielders must be in ........................ |
Definitions (fair territory) 5.02(a, c) |
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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) |
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fielder's choice defined .................................... |
Definitions (fielders choice) |
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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 |
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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 |
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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) |
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forfeit defined .................................... grounds for forfeiting a game .............. |
Definitions (forfeit) 7.03 (entire) |
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foul ball defined .................................... runner intentionally deflects foul ball .... See also .................................... |
Definitions (foul ball) 5.09(a)(9) Foul Ball / Foul Tip |
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foul territory defined .................................... foul lines, foul pole ...................... |
Definitions (foul territory) 2.01 |
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foul tip defined .................................... See also .................................... |
Definitions (foul tip) Foul Ball / Foul Tip |
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fourth out appeal scenario ............................ |
5.09(c)(4) |
| - G - | [ back to top ] |
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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 ] |
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hit by pitch (batter) rules and remedies ......................... |
5.05(b)(2) |
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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 ] |
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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) |
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illegally batted ball rule explained ............................. ball becomes dead, runners return .......... |
6.03(a)(1) 5.06(c)(4) |
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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 |
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injury incapacitates player or umpire ............. to pitcher ................................. |
5.12(b)(3) 5.10(g) |
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inning defined .................................... |
Definitions (inning) |
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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) |
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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 ] |
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live ball defined .................................... umpire calls "play"/"time" ................. |
Definitions (live ball) 5.01(b) |
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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 |
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mitt catcher's mitt ............................. first baseman's mitt ....................... |
3.04 3.05 |
| - O - | [ back to top ] |
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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 |
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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) |
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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 ] |
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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 |
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pitcher defined .................................... pitching prohibitions ...................... pitcher's glove ............................ |
Definitions (pitcher) 6.02(c) 3.07 |
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pitcher's plate layout of the field ........................ |
2.04 |
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"play" (umpire calls) starting the game ("Play Ball!") ........... pitcher must be on pitching plate .......... |
5.01(1)(a, b, c) 5.12 |
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playing field layout of the field ........................ |
2.01 |
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protective gear (helmets) regulations and specifications ............. |
3.08 |
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protests regulations governing ...................... |
7.04 |
| - R - | [ back to top ] |
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regulation game regulations governing ...................... |
7.01 |
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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) |
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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) |
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running lane violation regulations governing ...................... See also .................................... |
5.09(a)(11) Basepath & Running Lane |
| - S - | [ back to top ] |
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scoring runs how a team scores .......................... scoring a run .............................. runner not affected by appeal on preceeding runner ....................... |
5.08 1.04 5.09(d) |
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set position ("the stretch") defined .................................... the set position ........................... See also .................................... |
Definitions (set position) 5.07(a)(2) The Pitching Positions |
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spectators spectators barred from field ............... spectator interference ..................... See also .................................... |
6.01(d) 6.01(e) Spectator Interference |
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starting pitcher must pitch to one batter ................... |
5.10(f) |
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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) |
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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 |
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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 |
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suspended game suspended, postponed, and tie games ....... |
7.02 |
| - T - | [ back to top ] |
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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 |
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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) |
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third strike not caught third strike not caught .................... |
5.05(a)(2), 5.09(a)(3) |
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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) |
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tie game defined .................................... suspended, postponed, and tie games ........ |
Definitions (tie game) 7.02 |
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"time" (called by umpire) defined .................................... calling "time" and dead balls .............. |
Definitions (time) 5.12 |
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time play See also .................................... |
Time Play |
| - U, V - | [ back to top ] |
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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 |
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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 |
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unannounced substitution legitimizing unannounced sub ............... |
5.10(j) |
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uniforms player uniforms ............................ |
3.03 |
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unsportsmanlike conduct unsportsmanlike conduct / actions .......... penalty / umpire authority ................. |
6.04 (entire) 8.01 |
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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 ] |
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walk defined .................................... batter becomes runner when ................. |
Definitions (base on balls) 5.05(b)(1) |
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warmup pitches warmup pitches ............................. |
5.07(b) |
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weather umpire is sole judge of playability ........ game suspended due to ...................... |
4.04 7.02(a)(5) |
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weak interference backswing interference ..................... See also .................................... |
6.03(a)(4) Comment Weak Interference |
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windup position defined .................................... windup position ............................ |
Definitions (windup position) 5.01(x) |
