Rules Review 1

Explanation
OBR 8.06 A professional league shall adopt the following rule pertaining to the visit of the manager or coach to the pitcher:

Rule 8.06 Comment: If the manager or coach goes to the catcher or infielder and that player then goes to the mound or the pitcher comes to him at his position before there is an intervening play (a pitch or other play) that will be the same as the manager or coach going to the mound.
Any attempt to evade or circumvent this rule by the manager or coach going to the catcher or an infielder and then that player going to the mound to confer with the pitcher shall constitute a trip to the mound.
If the coach goes to the mound and removes a pitcher and then the manager goes to the mound to talk with the new pitcher, that will constitute one trip to that new pitcher that inning.

Explanation
While this item is no longer in the Umpire Manual, it remains a suggested method of determining the correct count if the count cannot be determined on the field.

Explanation
OBR 3.05(d) If a pitcher who is already in the game crosses the foul line on his way to take his place on the pitcher's plate to start an inning, he shall pitch to the first batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the batter is substituted for, or the pitcher sustains an injury or illness which, in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching. If the pitcher ends the previous inning on base or at bat and does not return to the dugout after the inning is completed, the pitcher is not required to pitch to the first batter of the inning until he makes contact with the pitcher's plate to begin his warm-up pitches.

Explanation
OBR 8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—
(e) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch;

Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted

Explanation
OBR 7.08 Any runner is out when—
(e) He or the next base is tagged before he touches the next base, after he has been forced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a runner. However, if a following runner is put out on a force play, the force is removed and the runner must be tagged to be put out. The force is removed as soon as the runner touches the base to which he is forced to advance, and if he overslides or overruns the base, the runner must be tagged to be put out. However, if the forced runner, after touching the next base, retreats for any reason towards the base he had last occupied, the force play is reinstated, and he can again be put out if the defense tags the base to which he is forced.

Explanation
OBR 7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when—
(a) After a third strike he clearly hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball. Such batter-runner is out, the ball is dead, and all other runners return to the bases they occupied at the time of the pitch.

Rule 7.09(a) Comment: If the pitched ball deflects off the catcher or umpire and subsequently touches the batter-runner, it is not considered interference unless, in the judgment of the umpire, the batter-runner clearly hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball.


Umpire Manual 45. Rule 7.09(a): BATTER INTERFERES AFTER THIRD STRIKE NOTCAUGHT
See Official Baseball Rule 7.09(a) and associated Comment regarding situations where the batter-runner, after a dropped third strike, interferes with the catcher attempting to field the ball. Rule 7.09(a) was changed for the 2013 season, and the previous interpretation of this rule is no longer valid. Under the new rule, it no longer matters if the batter is in the vicinity of home plate or up the first baseline when the infraction occurs. If, in the umpire's judgment the batter-runner "clearly hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball," the batter-runner is declared out, the ball is dead, and runner(s) return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. The location of the batter-runner is no longer relevant.

Explanation
Umpire manual 45. Rule 3.03: SUBSTITUTIONS
Section 9
A player or players may be substituted during a game at any time the ball is dead. A substitution is completed and the player is considered as having entered the game when the manager or his designee notifies the plate umpire of the substitution. If no such notification is given to the umpire or after notification no announcement is made, the player shall be considered as having entered the game when:
(1) If a pitcher, he takes his place on the pitcher's plate prior to delivering a pitch (preparatory or otherwise);
(2) If a batter, he takes his place in the batter's box;
(3) If a fielder, he reaches the position usually occupied by the fielder he has replaced, and play commences;
(4) If a runner, he takes the place of the runner he has replaced. Umpires should confirm all substitutes from the manager and inform the opposing manager of all substitutes.
NOTE: If a pitcher has been brought into the game but has not faced one batter (or retired the side) when the game is stopped for weather, such pitcher may, but is not required to, continue pitching when the game is resumed

Section 57
A consequence of the rule regarding trips to the mound is that once a manager or coach has completed a trip to the mound, the pitcher then pitching must continue pitching to the batter then at bat (or retire the side) unless a pinch hitter is substituted or unless one of the following situations applies:
(a) If a game becomes suspended during a manager's or coach's trip to the mound (or after the trip but while the same batter is still at bat), a new pitcher may be substituted when the game is later resumed.
(b) If a rain delay occurs during a manager's or coach's trip to the mound (or after the trip but while the same batter is still at bat), a new pitcher may be substituted when the game is resumed following the rain delay.

Explanation
OBR 4.12 SUSPENDED GAMES.
(a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of the following reasons:
(1) A curfew imposed by law;
(2) A time limit permissible under league rules;
(3) Light failure or malfunction of a mechanical field device under control of thehome club. (Mechanical field device shall include automatic tarpaulin orwater removal equipment);
(4) Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from being turned on;
(5) Weather, if a regulation game is called while an inning is in progress andbefore the inning is completed, and the visiting team has scored one or more runs to take the lead, and the home team has not retaken the lead; or
(6) It is a regulation game that is called with the score tied.

NOTE: Weather and similar conditions—Rules 4.12(a)(1) through 4.12(a)(5)— shall take precedence in determining whether a called game shall be a suspended game. If a game is halted by weather, and subsequent light failure or an intervening curfew or time limit prevents its resumption, the game shall not be a suspended game. If a game is halted by light failure, and weather or field conditions prevent its resumption, the game shall not be a suspended game. A game can only be considereda suspended game if stopped for any of the six reasons specified in Rule 4.12(a)
The note to Official Baseball Rule 4.12(a) states that weather and similar conditions shall take precedence in determining whether a called game shall be a suspended game. If a game is halted by weather, and subsequent light failure or an intervening curfew or time limit prevents its resumption, it shall not be a suspended game. If a game is halted by light failure, and weather or field conditions prevent its resumption, it shall not be a suspended game. (See Note to Official Baseball Rule 4.12(a) ).

If play is stopped because of weather and during the delay (before the tarps have been removed), light failure occurs and causes the game to be terminated, the game will be considered as having been terminated because of weather and shall not be a suspended game. If play is stopped because of weather and during the delay (before the tarps have been removed) a curfew or time limit prevents its resumption, the game will be considered as having been terminated because of weather and shall not be a suspended game. However, in games that have been delayed because of weather, once the umpires direct the grounds crew to remove the tarps and prepare the field for play, the weather factor is then removed. In such cases, if light failure then occurs or if a curfew or time limit is subsequently reached, the game will be considered a suspended game.
If play is stopped because of light failure and rain subsequently occurs before play can be resumed, the umpires shall then determine the ultimate reason for terminating the game.
EXAMPLES:
(1) Game stopped because of light failure; rain occurs during light failure;lights come back on during or after rain; field determined to be unplayable.
Ruling: Game called due to weather. Not a suspended game.
(2) Game stopped because of light failure; rain occurs during light failure;field determined to be unplayable but still no lights.
Ruling: Game called due to weather. Not a suspended game.
(3) Game stopped because of light failure; a light rain occurs during light failure;rain stops and field determined to be playable but still no lights.
Ruling: Game called because of light failure. This is a suspended game.

Comment - in all three examples should the visiting team have scored to tie or take the lead in its half inning and the game has progressed far enough to be a regulation game, this would be suspended in all 3 examples because of rule 4.12 (a) 5. These examples apply to rule (a) 1-4 as evidenced in the note in OBR following rule 4.12

Explanation
The pitcher was not trying to alter the characteristics of the pitched ball, he should be warned and persistent violations would be grounds for ejection.
OBR 8.02 The pitcher shall not—
(a) (1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher's plate, touch the ball after touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact with the pitcher's plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher's plate. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand.

PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately remove the ball from play and issue a warning to the pitcher. Any subsequent violation shall be called a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeat offenders shall be subject to a fine by the League President.

(2) expectorate on the ball, either hand or his glove;
(3) rub the ball on his glove, person or clothing;
(4) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;
(5) deface the ball in any manner; or
(6) deliver a ball altered in a manner prescribed by Rule 8.02(a)(2) through (5) or what is called the "shine" ball, "spit" ball, "mud" ball or "emery" ball. The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball between his hands.

PENALTY: For violation of any part of Rules 8.02 (a)(2) through (6):
(a) The pitcher shall be ejected immediately from the game and shall be suspended automatically. In National Association Leagues, the automatic suspension shall be for 10 games.
(b) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the manager of the team at bat may advise the umpire-in-chief that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play.
However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation.
(c) Even though the team at bat elects to take the play, the violation shall be recognized and the penalties in subsection (a) will still be in effect.
(d) If the manager of the team at bat does not elect to accept the play, the umpire-in-chief shall call an automatic ball and, if there are any runners on base, a balk.
(e) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether any portion of this rule has been violated.


Rules 8.02(a)(2) through 8.02(a)(6) Comment: If a pitcher violates either Rule 8.02(a)(2) or
Rule 8.02(a)(3) and, in the judgment of the umpire, the pitcher did not intend, by his act, to alter the characteristics of a pitched ball, then the umpire may, in his discretion, warn the pitcher in lieu of applying the penalty set forth for violations of Rules 8.02(a)(2) through 8.02(a)(6). If the pitcher persists in violating either of those Rules, however, the umpire should then apply the penalty.

Explanation
Umpire manual 45. Rule 8.05(d): THROWING TO AN UNOCCUPIED BASE
Official Baseball Rule 8.05(d) provides that the pitcher be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the pitcher's plate, he throws to an unoccupied base except for the purpose of making a play.

EXAMPLES:
(1) Runners on first and second, pitcher in set position. Runner breaks for third base and pitcher throws to third base.
Ruling: Legal play.
(2) Runners on first and second, pitcher in set position. Runner bluffs going to third base and pitcher throws to third base. However, runner did not go.
Ruling: Balk, pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 8.05(d).
The key to understanding the above two plays is for the umpire to use good judgment in deciding whether or not the runner was making an actual attempt to advance to third base or whether the runner was bluffing. These plays will most likely happen with a 3-2 count and two out.
Another interpretation regarding Official Baseball Rule 8.05(d) concerns appeal plays:
It is NOT a balk for the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, to throw to an unoccupied base IF it is for the purpose of making an appeal play. (Note that the pitcher does not have to step back off the rubber to make an appeal play)