Answers to Rules Questions
Questions and answers will be posted at my discretion, as I have the opportunity to do so. All answers are purely my personal opinion. Thanks to Jim Evans for compiling his Professional Baseball Rules Index, which is invaluable in providing reasonably correct responses.
This is my new rules answer page. Previous answers can be found here.
First baseman holding runner on base with one foot
completely out of fair territory. Pitcher pitches to batter and pitch is called
a strike. Since first baseman's foot is out of fair territory, what is the
call? According to rule, I don't see a penalty for this even though everyone is
supposed to be in fair territory. I believe a warning should be issued and if
it happens again, a sportsmanship call (mockery of game) be called against first
baseman. I don't think a balk can be be called, either. Please provide
detailed ruling.
David Beheler
Lincolnton, North Carolina - 6/16/10
There is no call here. The PBUC Umpire Manual clear states (3.16) that the umpires not insist that he play with both feet in fair territory unless the offensive team protests. In that case, the ruling should be enforced against both teams. If a 1st baseman persists, the only penalty would be ejection.
Runners in first and second base, there is an attempt by the runner in second base to steal third base, the catcher attempts to make the play at third but when he makes his throw to third base it hit the batter's bat who had remained in the batter's box after the pitch has been delivered. The ball goes into the home team's dugout and the
runners advance on base. I argued that there was an interference by the batter as it prevented, unaware
perchance, the play taken place at second. What is you view of it? Was the umpire right in allowing the runners to advance one base or does the ball become dead when it hit the batter? please e-mail me your answer as soon as you can as we have put the game under protest and have three days in which we must go ahead with the appeal or retire our protest.
Pedro Figueras
London, United Kingdom - 6/14/10
The umpire is mostly correct. The batter can not de-materialize. If the batter holds his position in the box, it is up to the catcher to make a proper throw. The ball remains live until it goes out of play. The runner is awarded 2 bases.
A player was ejected from the game. Is it an automatic out each time his turn at bat comes up? What exceptions to the rule are there i.e. injuries. Thanks Steve. Great site.
Mark Davis
Oxford, Michigan - 6/12/10
Runners on 1B and 3B, with two outs. Ground ball is hit to 2B. Fielder tags out runner going to 2B after runner from 3B has crossed HP. Does the run count? I'm thinking no, but need to be sure.
Dave Beste
Brookings, SD - 5/26/10
It's still a force out and the run does not score.
Sharp hit ball down 1st base line, bounds off 1st baseman's gloves and rolls in to foul territory. 1st baseman retrieves and with ball in glove reaches to touch 1st base with free hand. Safe or out? And would this apply to any other force at any base?
Ron Mitchell
Westminster, South Carolina, USA - 5/24/10
Out if he beats the batter-runner to 1st base, and yes.
Can an outfielder catch a ball by the fence and fall over the breakaway fence - is it an out or homerun?
John Deutsch
Annanadale, NJ - 5/17/10
If the ball is caught and the outfielder falls over the fence in possession, it's a catch. If the pushes his way through the fence and then makes the catch, it's a HR.
What is the penalty for illegal defensive substitution? Example: 2 players in the same batting position on the field at the same time.
Andrew Bettinger
Richmond, VA - 5/11/10
The illegal substitute would be ejected upon discovery. If he was discovered directly after being involved in a play, the opposing coach would have the choice of taking the play or the batter batting again.
The infield huddled at the pitcher mound and went back to their positions. The 2nd baseman has the ball hidden in his glove. The pitcher is on the pitcher's mound. Believe he was on the rubber. The runner leads off of 2nd base waiting to steal. The 2nd baseman tags the runner and umpire calls him out. The coaches from the other team tells the umpire the pitcher was on the pitcher mound, therefore, the out is not valid. Is this true?
Hollie Vestel
Jacksonville, FL/USA - 4/21/10
Under HS rules, if he is on or astride the rubber or within approx. 5 feet of the of the rubber without the ball it is a balk and the runner is not out. (6-2-5)
Runner going from 1st to 2nd on a hit to to shortstop. SS throws to 2nd baseman, runner goes in straight up and then 2nd has to throw a lob to 1st. I need a ruling on sliding, according to high school rules.
Philip
McKinney, Texas - 4/10/10
The runner never has to slide. However, if the runner causes the pivot man to alter his throw, it is interference. The runner and the batter-runner are both out.
Can a pitcher receive signs from the dugout once he has engaged the rubber?
Mark
Phoenix, AZ, USA - 4/10/10
No. The catcher can.
On a tag up for a fly ball, the runner can leave the base once the ball is touched or caught? What if the ball hits the fielders glove and bounces in the air and then he catches it. Can that runner advance on the touch or does he have to wait for fielder to have control?
Bill Bridgham
Pleasant Garden, NC - 4/7/10
On the touch.
Runners on 1st & 2nd, 1 out. Batter swings and hits a spinning dribbler down first base line very close to line. First baseman sprinting in gets to ball and kicks ball into first base dugout while ball is still in FOUL territory. The ball would have definitely gone fair had it not bee touched foul. Call foul ball, batter returns to box with 1-2 count and runners return base at time of pitch. Offensive coach says ball cannot be intentionally kick out of bounds if it could have become a fair ball.
Gary Shafer
Canbridge City, Indiana - 3/18/10
This is legal. Once that ball is touched in any manner in foul territory by the defense, it is a foul ball.
About the February rules answer. "Bases loaded, one out and a 1 and 1 count. The runner on third gets a good jump and tries to steal home. As he slides over the plate, the pitch hits him in the strike zone and bounces a few feet away. The catcher recovers in time to nail the runner from second trying for third." Suppose the pitch is actually the third strike, which would have recorded the third out of the inning. Does the run still count?
Jason
Manassas, VA - 3/1/10
No. With 2 strikes and 2 out, the pitch is strike 3 and the half-inning is over. (6.05n)
What happens if a player is listed twice on the line up card and it isn't caught at the beginning of the game? It means that one player is not on the line up card. If that player comes up and gets a hit and then an appeal is made, does the hit count?
Joe
Templeton, California - 2/11/10
I was recently told by an academy coach that NFHS rules do not allow the top edge of the pitcher's glove to be above chin level when he comes to his set position. Is this true, false, or a gray area?
Lee Flippin
Woodside, California - 2/3/10
Years ago the rules stated that the entire glove had to be below the chin. Currently, only a portion of the glove must be below the chin.
Created February 14, 2010
Steve Orinick is not liable in any way for any event or situation whatsoever arising from these responses, including errors, omissions or negative consequences, perceived or otherwise. All answers are purely personal opinion. Proceed at your own risk! Check with your local association for specific interpretations.
Answers copyright 2010 Steve Orinick. All rights reserved.