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5.01 (Includes:
Calling for play by the umpire)
At the time set for beginning the game the umpire shall call for
"Play."
5.02
(Includes:
Live ball)
After the umpire calls for "Play" the ball is alive and in
play and remains alive and in play until for legal cause, or at the
umpire's call of "Time" suspending play, the ball becomes
dead. While the ball is dead no player may be put out, no bases may be
run and no runs may be scored, except that runners may advance one or
more bases as the result of acts which occurred while the ball was alive
(such as, but not limited to a balk, an overthrow, interference, or a
home run or other fair ball hit out of the playing field). Should a ball
come partially apart in a game, it is in play until the play is
completed.
5.03 (Includes:
Pitcher pitches, batter bats)
The pitcher shall deliver the pitch to the batter who may elect to
strike the ball, or who may not offer at it, as he chooses.
5.04 (Includes:
Offensive team objective)
The offensive team's objective is to have its batter become a runner,
and its runners advance.
5.05 (Includes:
Defensive team objective)
The defensive team's objective is to prevent offensive players from
becoming runners, and to prevent their advance around the bases.
5.06 (Includes:
Legally touched base)
When a batter becomes a runner and touches all bases legally he shall
score one run for his team. A run legally scored cannot be nullified by
subsequent action of the runner, such as but not limited to an effort to
return to third base in the belief that he had left the base before a
caught fly ball.
5.07 (Includes:
Switching offense and defense)
When three offensive players are legally put out, that team takes the
field and the opposing team becomes the offensive team.
5.08 (Includes:
Coaches contact with ball)
If a thrown ball accidentally touches a base coach, or a pitched or
thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play. However,
if the coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner is out.
5.09 (Includes:
Dead ball due to play)
The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their
bases, without liability to be put out, when (a) A pitched ball touches
a batter, or his clothing, while in his legal batting position; runners,
if forced, advance; (b) The plate umpire interferes with the catcher's
throw; runners may not advance. NOTE:
The interference shall be disregarded if the catcher's throw retires the
runner. (c) A balk is committed; runners advance; (See Penalty
8.05). (d) A ball is illegally batted; runners return; (e) A foul ball
is not caught; runners return. The umpire shall not put the ball in play
until all runners have retouched their bases; (f) A fair ball touches a
runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder
including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an
infielder other than the pitcher; If a fair ball touches an umpire
working in the infield after it has bounded past, or over, the pitcher,
it is a dead ball. If a batted ball is deflected by a fielder in fair
territory and hits a runner or an umpire while still in flight and then
caught by an infielder it shall not be a catch, but the ball shall
remain in play. If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, and
touches a runner immediately back of him, or touches a runner after
being deflected by an infielder, the ball is in play and the umpire
shall not declare the runner out. In making such decision the umpire
must be convinced that the ball passed through, or by, the infielder and
that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball;
runners advance if forced; (g) A pitched ball lodges in the umpire's or
catcher's mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, runners
advance one base; If a foul tip hits the umpire and is caught by a
fielder on the rebound, the ball is "dead" and the batsman
cannot be called out. The same shall apply where such foul tip lodges in
the umpire's mask or other paraphernalia. If a third strike (not a foul
tip) passes the catcher and hits an umpire, the ball is in play. If such
ball rebounds and is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground,
the batsman is not out on such a catch, but the ball remains in play and
the batsman may be retired at first base, or touched with the ball for
the out. If a pitched ball lodges in the umpire's or catcher's mask or
paraphernalia, and remains out of play, on the third strike or fourth
ball, then the batter is entitled to first base and all runners advance
one base. If the count on the batter is less than three balls, runners
advance one base. (h) Any legal pitch touches a runner trying to score;
runners advance.
5.10 (Includes:
Dead ball due to umpires decision or accident)
The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls "Time." The umpire
in chief shall call "Time" (a) When in his judgment weather,
darkness or similar conditions make immediate further play impossible;
(b) When light failure makes it difficult or impossible for the umpires
to follow the play; (c) When an accident incapacitates a player or an
umpire; (1) If an accident to a runner is such as to prevent him from
proceeding to a base to which he is entitled, as on a home run hit out
of the playing field, or an award of one or more bases, a substitute
runner shall be permitted to complete the play. (d) When a manager
requests "Time" for a substitution, or for a conference with
one of his players. (e) When the umpire wishes to examine the ball, to
consult with either manager, or for any similar cause. (f) When a
fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or
falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field. As
pertains to runners, the provisions of 7.04 (c) shall prevail. If a
fielder after making a catch steps into a bench, but does not fall, the
ball is in play and runners may advance at their own peril. (g) When an
umpire orders a player or any other person removed from the playing
field. (h) Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) (1) of
this rule, no umpire shall call "Time" while a play is in
progress.
5.11
(Includes:
Resumption of play after dead ball)
After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes his
place on the pitcher's plate with a new ball or the same ball in his
possession and the plate umpire calls "Play." The plate umpire
shall call "Play" as soon as the pitcher takes his place on
his plate with the ball in his possession. |
