2022-2025
OFFICIAL
RULES OF
SOFTBALL
FAST PITCH
Released on March 2022
2022 - 2025
FAST PITCH SOFTBALL PLAYING RULES
(INCLUDING MODIFIED PITCH)
© 2022 World Baseball Softball Confederation. All rights reserved.
This Rulebook contains the Ofcial Rules of Fast Pitch Softball (“Ofcial
Rules”) of [the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), [formerly
operating as the International Softball Federation (“ISF”)]. Any misuse or
reprinting of these Ofcial Rules without the prior written consent of the
WBSC is prohibited.
The Ofcial Rules include Rules, Effects, and Appendices. The Rules
govern the playing of Fast Pitch and Modied Fast Pitch Softball.
The Appendices and Effects form part of the Rule(s) in which they are
cited and have the same force and effect as the Rule itself. The Table of
Contents, where Rules are found, and the Index, a keyword and subject
matter indicator to the Rules, are for reference and do not form part of
the Rules.
The WBSC disclaims and does not accept responsibility for defects or
non-compliance of facilities or failure of persons involved in a game
played for any failure to follow or apply these Ofcial Rules and is not
liable for any consequences resulting from the playing of a game of
Softball or the misuse of the Ofcial Rules.
New Rules and/or changes are bolded and underlined.
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6 7
1 THE GAME
8
1.1 DEFINITIONS 8
1.2 REGULATION GAME REQUIREMENTS 9
2 PLAYING FIELD AND EQUIPMENT
16
2.1 DEFINITIONS 16
2.2 THE PLAYING FIELD 18
2.3 GAME EQUIPMENT 19
2.4 PLAYER EQUIPMENT 20
2.5 UNIFORMS 21
2.6 COACHES’ UNIFORMS 23
2.7 EQUIPMENT 23
3 PARTICIPANTS
24
3.1 DEFINITIONS 24
3.2 LINE UP AND ROSTERS 27
3.3 APPEALS 31
3.4 COACHES 34
3.5 TEAM PERSONNEL 35
3.6 UMPIRES 36
3.7 SCORERS/SCOREKEEPERS 39
4 PITCHING
39
4.1 DEFINITIONS 39
4.2 DEFENSIVE CONFERENCE 40
4.3 LEGAL PITCH REQUIREMENTS 42
4.4 WARM-UP PITCHES 48
4.5 NO PITCH 48
4.6 DROPPED BALL 49
4.7 RETURN OF PITCHER 49
4.8 ILLEGAL PITCHER 49
5 BATTING AND BASE RUNNING5
50
5.1 DEFINITIONS 50
5.2 CHARGED OFFENSIVE CONFERENCE 59
5.3 ON-DECK BATTER 59
5.4 BATTING 61
5.5 BATTER-RUNNER 66
5.6 DOUBLE BASE 71
5.7 USING AN ILLEGAL GLOVE OR MITT 72
5.8 REMOVAL OF HELMET 72
5.9 TOUCHING BASES IN LEGAL ORDER 73
5.10 RUNNERS 74
5.11 BASE RUNNING EFFECTS (OTHER THAN FOR OBSTRUCTION) 82
APPENDIX 1: PLAYING FIELD AND DIAMOND LAYOUT
86
A. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE PLAYING FIELD 86
B. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE DIAMOND LAYOUT 87
C. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE BASES 88
D. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE BATTER’S AND CATCHER’S BOXES 88
E. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF HOME PLATE AND PITCHER’S PLATE 89
F. QUICK REFERENCE TABLE 89
G. LAYING OUT A DIAMOND 91
APPENDIX 2: BAT SPECIFICATIONS
92
A. OFFICIAL BAT 92
B. THE WARM-UP BAT 94
APPENDIX 3: BALL STANDARDS
94
A. AN OFFICIAL SOFTBALL 94
B. DIMENSIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS 95
APPENDIX 4: GLOVE SPECIFICATIONS
96
APPENDIX 5: UMPIRES
97
A. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR UMPIRES 97
B. SIGNALS 98
APPENDIX 6: SCORING
100
A. THE BOX SCORE 100
B. BASE HITS SHALL NOT BE RECORDED 103
C. SACRIFICE FLY BALLS 103
D. RUNS BATTED IN 103
E. PITCHER CREDITED WITH A WIN 104
F. PITCHER CHARGED WITH A LOSS 104
G. GAME SUMMARY 104
H. STOLEN BASES 105
I. RECORDS OF FORFEITED GAMES 105
APPENDIX 7: 2022-2025 RULE CHANGES
105
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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1. THE GAME
1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.1.1 APPEAL – LIVE BALL OR DEAD BALL
A live or dead ball appeal is a play or situation on which an Umpire
cannot make a decision unless requested by a manager, coach or
player of the non-offending team.
1.1.2 DEFENSIVE TEAM
The team in the eld.
1.1.3 FORFEIT
When the Plate Umpire rules that the game is over by declaring the
non-offending team the winner.
1.1.4 HOME AND VISITING TEAM
a) The home team may be determined in a variety of ways,
including coin toss, mutual agreement, tournament assignment
or league assignment.
b) The home team starts the game on defense, bats in the bottom
half of the inning and occupies the third base dugout.c) The
visiting team starts the game on offense, bats in the top half of
each inning and occupies the rst base dugout.
1.1.5 INNING
That segment of a game when both teams either bat or eld and
remain batting or elding until three outs occur. A new half-inning
begins immediately after the nal out of the previous half-inning.
1.1.6 OFFENSIVE TEAM
The team at bat.
1.1.7 “PLAY BALL”
When the Plate Umpire signals and declares “PLAY BALL” at the
start of the game or to resume play in a game, provided that:
a) the pitcher holds the ball in the pitcher’s circle;
b) the catcher is in the catcher’s box; and
c) all other elders are in fair territory to put the ball in play.
1.1.8 PRE-GAME MEETING
The meeting at home plate area at a predetermined time including
the Umpires, head coaches, managers or representatives of both
teams. At this meeting, line-up cards are conrmed and exchanged
between teams and the Plate Umpire reviews any special rules.
1.1.9 PROTEST
The action of a defensive or offensive team, other than an appeal,
objecting to:
a) the misinterpretation or misapplication of a playing rule by an
Umpire; or
b) the eligibility of a team roster member.
1.1.10 “TIME”
The term used by an Umpire to order the suspension of play in a
game. During time the ball is dead.
1.2 REGULATION GAME REQUIREMENTS
1.2.1 REGULATION GAME
A regulation game consists of seven completed innings, except as
follows.
a) A full seven innings need not be played if the home team
scores more runs in six and one-half innings or before the third
out in the bottom of the seventh inning.
b) A game that is tied at the end of seven innings will continue by
playing additional innings until one side scores more runs than
the other at the end of a completed inning or the home team
scores more runs before the third out in the bottom of the
inning is made.
c) A game called by the Plate Umpire will be a regulation game
if ve or more complete innings have been played, or if the
team second at bat has scored more runs than the other team
has scored in ve or more innings or if the run ahead rule is
invoked. The Plate Umpire is empowered to call a game at any
time because of darkness, rain, re, panic or other cause, which
puts the patrons or team members in physical danger.
d) A regulation tied game will be declared if the score is equal
when the game is ended at the end of ve or more completed
innings, or if the home team has equaled the score of the
visiting team in the incomplete inning.
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e) These provisions do not apply to any acts on the part of
players or spectators that might call for forfeiture of the game.
The Plate Umpire may forfeit the game if any team member or
spectator physically attacks any Umpire.
f) A game that is not considered a regulation game or is a
regulation tied game will be replayed from the start of the
game. The original line-up may be changed when the game is
replayed.
1.2.2 FORFEITED GAME
A game is forfeited in favor of the team not at fault when:
a) a team fails to appear on the eld;
b) a team on the eld refuses to begin a game for which it is
scheduled or assigned at the time scheduled or within a time set
for forfeitures by the organization in which the team is playing;
c) after the game starts, one team refuses to continue to play,
unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the Plate
Umpire;
d) after the Plate Umpire suspends a play, one team fails to resume
play within two minutes after the Plate Umpire signals and calls
“PLAY BALL”;
e) a team employs tactics designed to delay or hasten the game;
f) after a warning by the Plate Umpire, any one of these Rules is
willfully violated, except if the pitcher continues to repeatedly
violate a pitching rule the pitcher will be removed from the
pitching position for the remainder of the game and shall be
declared an illegal pitcher;
g) the order for the removal or ejection of a player or any person
authorized to sit on the team bench is not obeyed within one
minute;
h) because of the removal or ejection of the players from the game
by an Umpire or for any other cause there are less than nine (9)
or ten (10) while using a DP and FLEX available in the line-up on
either team;
i) a declared ineligible player re-enters the game and one pitch is
thrown; or
j) it is discovered that an ejected player, coach or manager is
participating in the game again.
1.2.3 RUN AHEAD RULE
a) This rule applies to any game at a Tournament and
Championship when one team leads another by: fteen (15)
runs after three (3) innings; ten (10) runs after four (4) innings;
or seven (7) runs after ve (5) innings.
b) Complete innings are played unless the home team scores the
required number of runs while at bat. When the visiting team
reaches the required number of runs in the top half of the
inning, the home team bats in the bottom half of the inning. All
play must have nished before the game is declared won by
the score of the run ahead rule. If in the bottom of the inning
no scores above the run ahead the score shall count unless the
game-ending play is a home run and all runs scored because of
the home run shall count.
1.2.4 TIEBREAKER; TIEBREAKER INNING
a) Starting with the top of the eighth inning and for each half-
inning thereafter until the game ends, the offensive team starts
its turn at bat with the player scheduled to bat ninth in that
respective half-inning placed on second base as a runner.
b) The runner on second base may be substituted in accordance
with the Substitution Rules.
c) An incorrect runner that is placed on second base shall be
called out if a proper appeal is made by the defensive team
after a pitch (legal or illegal) or a play is made and is upheld. A
proper appeal may be made at any time the incorrect runner
is on base. If the offensive team places the correct runner on
base before a proper appeal is made, there is no penalty.
1.2.5 SCORING RUNS
a) One run is scored each time a runner touches, in order, all three
bases and home plate and before the third out of that half-inning.
b) When the tiebreaker is used, the runner starting at second base
does not have to touch rst base in order for a legal run to be
scored.
c) A run does not score if the third and/or last out of the inning is
a result of:
i) a batter-runner being out before they touch rst base;
ii) a runner being forced out including on an appeal play;
iii) a runner leaving a base before the pitch is released; or
iv) a preceding runner being out.
d) Additional out appeals may be made after the third out to
remove a run(s).
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1.2.6 APPEAL PLAYS
On an appeal play, the runner will not be out unless the appeal is
made legally.
a) An appeal may be made while the ball is live or dead, but the
defensive team loses the opportunity of making an appeal if it
is not made:
i) before the next legal or illegal pitch, except for an illegal
substitute, unannounced player, illegal re-entry, replacement
or withdrawn player and runners switching bases;
ii) before all defensive players have left fair territory on their
way to the bench or dugout area. If a elder makes the
appeal, the elder must be in the ineld when making the
appeal;
iii) in the case of the last play of the game, before the Umpires
have left the eld of play; or
iv) at any time an incorrect runner is on base in a tiebreaker
inning or as a temporary runner for the catcher or pitcher of
record.
b) A runner may leave their base during live ball appeal plays when:
i) the ball leaves the pitcher’s circle;
ii) the ball leaves the pitcher’s possession; or
iii) the pitcher makes a throwing motion indicating a play or
fake throw.
c) DEAD BALL APPEAL. Once the ball has been returned to the
ineld and “TIME” has been called or the ball becomes dead,
any defensive team member in the ineld, with or without
possession of the ball, may make an appeal on a runner missing
a base or leaving a base too soon on a caught y ball. A coach
or manager may only make a dead ball appeal after stepping
onto the playing eld. The administering Umpire should
acknowledge the appeal and then make a decision on the play.
No runner may leave their base during this period as the ball
remains dead until the next pitch.
EXCEPTION: A runner who has left a base too soon on a caught
y ball or who has missed a base may attempt to return to such
base while the ball is dead.
i) If the ball goes out of play, the dead ball appeal cannot be
made until the Plate Umpire places a new ball into the game.
ii) If the pitcher has possession of the ball and is in contact with
the pitcher’s plate when making a verbal appeal, no Illegal
Pitch is called.
iii) If the Umpire has declared “PLAY BALL” and the pitcher
then requests an appeal, the Umpire would again call “TIME”
and allow the appeal process.
d) Additional out appeals may be made after the third out as long
as they are made properly and are made to remove a run or to
reinstate the correct batting order.
e) These are the types of appeal:
i) missing a base;
ii) leaving a base on a caught y ball before the ball is rst
touched;
iii) batting out-of-order;
iv) attempting to advance to second base after reaching rst
base;
v) illegal substitutions;
vi) the use of an unannounced player under the Replacement
Player Rule;
vii) Illegal Re-entry;
viii) the use of an unannounced player under the Designated
Player Rule;
ix) runners switching positions on the bases they occupied; or
x) the use of an incorrect runner on second base in a
tiebreaker inning or as a temporary runner for the catcher
or pitcher of record.
1.2.7 WINNER OF THE GAME
The winner of the game is the team that scores more runs than the
other team scores in a regulation game.
a) The score of a called regulation game is the score at the end
of the last complete inning unless the home team scores more
runs than the visiting team in the bottom half of the incomplete
inning. In this case, the score is that of the incomplete inning.
b) The score of a regulation tie game is the tie score when the
game was terminated.
c) The score of a forfeited game is 7-0 in favor of the team not at
fault.
12.8 GROUNDS FOR A PROTEST
a) A protest that will be received and considered includes matters
of the following types:
i) the misinterpretation of a Rule;
ii) the failure of an Umpire to apply the correct Rule to a given
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situation; or
iii) the failure to impose the correct penalty for a given
violation;
b) After one pitch has been thrown (legal or illegal), no Umpire
ruling can be changed.
c) At any time, a protest may be submitted to the appropriate
authority other than the Plate Umpire for the eligibility of a
team roster member.
1.2.9 PROTESTS
A protest may involve both a matter of judgment and the
interpretation of a Rule.
An example of a situation of this type follows:
With one out and runners on second and third bases, the batter hits
a fair y ball that was caught. The runner on third tagged up after
the catch but the player on second did not. The runner on third
had crossed home plate before the ball was played at second base
for the third out. The Umpire did not allow the run to score. The
questions whether the runners left their bases before the catch and
whether the play at second was made before the player on third
crossed home plate are solely matters of judgment and may not be
protested. The failure of an Umpire to allow the run to score was a
misinterpretation of a Rule and was a proper subject for protest.
1.2.10 INVALID PROTESTS
No protest may be received or considered if it is based solely on a
decision involving the accuracy of judgment by an Umpire, or if the
team lodging the protest won the game. Examples of protests that
will not be considered are:
a) whether a batted ball was fair or foul;
b) whether a runner was safe or out;
c) whether a pitched ball was a strike or a ball;
d) whether a pitch was legal or illegal;
e) whether a runner did or did not touch a base;
f) whether a runner left the base too soon on a caught y ball;
g) whether a y ball was or was not caught;
h) whether a y ball was or was not an ineld y;
i) whether there was or was not an interference;
j) whether there was or was not an obstruction;
k) whether a player or live ball did or did not enter a dead ball
territory or touch an object or person in a dead ball territory;
l) whether a batted ball did or did not clear a fence in ight;
m) whether the eld is t to continue or resume play;
n) whether there is sufcient light to continue play; or
o) any other matter involving only the accuracy of the Umpire’s
judgment.
1.2.11 GIVING NOTICE OF A PROTEST
a) Other than for player eligibility, notice to protest must be given
clearly to the Plate Umpire: (i) immediately before the next
pitch, legal or illegal: (ii) if at the end of an inning, before all
elders leave fair territory on their way to the bench or dugout
area; or (iii) if the last play of the game, before the Umpires
have left the eld of play.
b) Any notice of protest given in accordance with this Rule means
that the remainder of the game is played under protest.
c) The manager or acting manager of the protesting team may
give such notice. The Plate Umpire must notify the opposing
manager and the ofcial scorer.
d) All interested parties must take notice of the conditions
surrounding the making of the decision that will aid in the
correct determination of the issue.
1.2.12 DEADLINE TO FILE AN OFFICIAL PROTEST
An ofcial written protest must be led within a reasonable time.
a) In the absence of a league or tournament rule xing the time
limit for ling a protest, a protest should be considered if led
within a reasonable time, depending on the nature of the case
and the difculty in obtaining the information on which to base
the protest.
b) Generally, 48 hours after the scheduled time of the contest is
considered a reasonable time.
1.2.13 REQUIREMENTS FOR A FORMAL WRITTEN PROTEST
A formal written protest must contain the following information to
be valid:
a) the date, time and place of the game;
b) the name(s) of the Umpires and scorer(s);
c) the Rule(s) or local rules under which the protest is made;
d) the decision and conditions surrounding the making of the
decision; and
e) all essential facts involved in the matter protested.
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1.2.14 RESULT OF PROTEST
The decision made on a protested game must result in one of the
following.
a) The protest is found invalid, and the game score as played
remains unaltered.
b) When a protest is allowed for misinterpretation of a Rule, the
game is replayed from the point at which the incorrect decision
was made, with the decision corrected.
c) When a protest for ineligibility of a team roster member is
allowed, the game is forfeited by the offending team.
2. PLAYING FIELD & EQUIPMENT
2.1 DEFINITIONS
2.1.1 ALTERED BAT
A bat is altered when the physical structure of a legal bat has been
changed. Examples of altering a bat are: replacing the handle of a
metal bat with a wooden or other type handle; inserting material
inside the bat; applying excessive tape (more than two layers) to
the bat grip; painting a bat at the top or bottom for other than
identication purposes; engraving an “ID” marking on the barrel end
of a metal bat; or attaching a “are” or “cone” grip to bat. Replacing
the grip with another legal grip is not considered altering the bat. An
engraved “ID” mark on only the knob end of a metal bat or a laser
mark for “ID” purposes anywhere on the bat is not an alteration.
2.1.2 BASE LINE
The direct line between any two consecutive bases.
2.1.3 BATTER’S BOX
The area to which the batter is restricted while in position with the
intention of batting and helping the offensive team score runs. The
lines are considered as being within the batter’s box.
2.1.4 CATCHER’S BOX
That area within which the catcher must remain until the pitch is
released. The lines are considered within the catcher’s box. The
catcher is considered to be in the catcher’s box except when
touching the ground outside the catcher’s box.
2.1.5 COACH’S BOX
The area in foul territory on the rst base and third base sides
of the playing eld in which the offensive coaches must position
themselves. (The coach’s box shall be located and be of the
dimensions set out in Appendix 1 B (Ofcial Dimensions of the
Diamond Layout) and F (Quick Reference Table).
2.1.6 DUGOUT
The area in dead ball territory designated for team members only.
There must be no smoking, consumption of alcohol or use of
chewing tobacco in this area. Smoking includes the inhalation of
tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vaping.
2.1.7 FAIR TERRITORY
That part of the playing eld within and including the rst and third
base foul lines from home plate to the bottom of the outeld fence
and perpendicularly upwards.
2.1.8 FOUL TERRITORY
Any part of the playing eld that is not fair territory.
2.1.9 HELMET
A helmet that is cracked, broken, dented or altered will be declared
an illegal helmet and removed from the game.
a) For an on-deck batter, batter, batter-runner, runner, youth
coach or bat person, a helmet must have two ear aps (one
on each side) and must be of the type that has safety features
equal to or greater than those provided by the full plastic cap
with padding on the inside. A liner covering only the ears does
not meet the specications of a legal helmet.
b) For a catcher or a defensive player, a helmet may be the skull
type without earaps.
2.1.10 ILLEGAL BAT
A bat that does not meet the requirements of Rule 2.3.1.
2.1.11 ILLEGAL GLOVE OR MITT
A glove that does not meet the specications of a legal glove or
the use of a mitt by a elder other than a catcher or rst baseman.
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2.1.12 INFIELD
The area of the eld in fair territory normally covered by inelders.
2.1.13 MITT
A mitt consists of a solid piece for nger placement, no nger
slots and a deeper pocket than a glove. A glove has separated
nger slots on the outside and back. (See Appendix 4: Glove
Specications.)
2.1.14 OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT
Ofcial equipment is any equipment (bat, glove, mitt, helmet, etc.)
in use by the defensive or offensive team in the course of play.
Defensive equipment (gloves, for example) left on the eld by the
team playing offense would not be ofcial equipment.
2.1.15 ON-DECK CIRCLE
The area to which the on-deck batter is restricted while waiting
their turn at bat. (The On-Deck Circle shall be located and be of
the dimensions set out in Appendix 1.B (Ofcial Dimensions of the
Diamond Layout.)
2.1.16 OUTFIELD
That portion of the playing eld in fair territory that is beyond the
ineld.
2.1.17 PLAYING FIELD
The area within which the ball may be played and elded up to and
including the dead ball line.
2.2 THE PLAYING FIELD
2.2.1 PLAYING FIELD REQUIREMENTS
a) The playing eld must have a clear and unobstructed area
within the minimum dimensions set out in Appendix 1 (Playing
Field and Diamond Layout) and must include all features
shown.
b) The playing eld should have a warning track. If a warning
track is used it must be an area within the playing eld and
adjacent to any permanent fence along the outeld and
sidelines.
c) There is no requirement to cut a warning track in the
permanent outeld surface (grass or otherwise) when
temporary fencing is used (i.e., when a fast pitch game is
played on a eld designed primarily for slow pitch).
d) A ball is outside the playing eld when it touches the ground, a
person on the ground or an object outside the playing area.
2.2.2 THE OFFICIAL DIAMOND
a) The ofcial diamond layout must comply with the dimensions
and specications in Appendix 1.A (Playing Field and Diamond
Layout) and must include all features shown (foul, one meter
and sidelines; coach’s, batter’s and catcher’s boxes; on-deck
circle; pitcher’s circle; and bases and home plate).
b) If during the game the base distance or the pitching distance
is found to be incorrect, the error must be corrected at the
start of the next full inning after which the game resumes and
continues.
2.2.3 GROUND OR SPECIAL RULES
Ground or special rules establishing the limits of the playing
eld may be agreed prior to the start of a game and used
whenever backstops, fences, stands, vehicles, spectators or other
obstructions are within the prescribed area.
a) Any obstruction on fair territory less than the minimum fence
distances set out in the Appendix 1.F (Distance Table) must be
clearly marked for the Umpire’s information.
b) If using a baseball eld, the pitcher’s mound must be removed
and the backstop set at the prescribed distance from home
plate.
2.3 GAME EQUIPMENT
2.3.1 OFFICIAL BAT
Only an ofcial bat that meets the standards of the WBSC
Equipment Standards Commission and is stamped with the
WBSC or former ISF 2005 logo that the Equipment Standards
Commission adopted and approved marking must be used in a
WBSC Competition. The WBSC Approved Bat List and Approved
Logo can be found at the WBSC Website www.wbsc.org. See
Appendix 2 (Bat Specications) for approved bat standards.
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2.3.2 WARM-UP BAT
Only a warm-up bat that meets the specication set out in Appendix
2 (Bat Specications) for approved warm-up bat standards may be
used.
2.3.3 OFFICIAL SOFTBALL
Only an ofcial softball that meets the standards of the WBSC
Equipment Standards Commission and is stamped with the WBSC
Equipment Standards Commission adopted and approved marking
must be used in a WBSC Competition. See Appendix 3 (Approved
Ball Standards).
2.4 PLAYER EQUIPMENT
2.4.1 GLOVES AND MITTS
a) Any player may wear a glove, but only the catcher and rst
baseman may use a mitt.
b) No top lacing, webbing or other device between the thumb and
body of the glove or mitt worn by a rst baseman or catcher or a
glove worn by a elder may be more than 12.7 cm. (5 in.) in length.
c) The pitcher’s glove may be any color or combination of colors,
provided that no color (including the lacing) is the color of the
ball. A glove worn by any player other than the pitcher may be
any color or combination of colors.
d) Gloves or mitts with white, gray or yellow optic circles on
the outside that give the appearance of a ball are not ofcial
equipment and must not be used. (Appendix 4: Glove
Specications.)
2.4.2 SHOES
a) All team members must wear shoes. A shoe must be made with
either canvas or leather uppers or similar materials and be fully
enclosed.
b) Shoe soles may be either smooth or have soft or hard rubber
cleats.
c) Ordinary metal sole and heel plates may be used if the spikes
on the plates are not rounded and do not extend more than 1.9
cm. (3/4 in.) from the sole or heel of the shoe.
d) No hard plastic, nylon or polyurethane spikes similar to a metal
sole and heel plate are allowed in any division at any level of play.
e) Shoes with detachable cleats that screw onto the shoe are not
permitted; however, shoes with detachable cleats that screw
into the shoe are permitted.
f) For Youth and modied fast pitch only, metal cleats must not
be worn in any division at any level of play.
2.4.3 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
a) MASKS. All catchers must wear a mask, throat protector and
helmet. A catcher (or other members of the defensive team)
must wear a mask, throat protector and helmet while receiving
warm-up pitches from the pitcher’s plate, or in the warm-up
area. If the person catching the pitch will not wear the mask,
throat protector and helmet, they must be replaced by a
person who will do so. An extended wire protection attached to
the mask may be worn instead of the throat protector. The ice
hockey goalie style facemask is approved for use by a catcher.
If there is no throat protector built onto the mask, the throat
attachment must be added to the mask before using.
b) FACE MASKS. Any defensive or offensive player may wear an
approved plastic face mask/guard. A face mask/guard that
is cracked or deformed, or if padding has deteriorated or is
missing, is prohibited from use and must be removed from the
game.
A catcher may not wear the plastic face mask/guard in place of
the regular mask with a throat protector.
c) BODY PROTECTORS. A catcher (Adult and Youth) must wear a
body protector.
d) SHIN GUARDS. A catcher (Adult and Youth) must wear shin
guards while on defense that will offer protection to the
kneecap.
e) PROTECTIVE LEG/ARM GUARDS. These may be worn by a
batter and a batter-runner.
2.5 UNIFORMS
2.5.1 PLAYER UNIFORMS
All players on a team must wear uniforms alike in color, trim and
style. A team member in uniform may, for religious reasons, wear a
specic head covering and apparel that does not conform to these
Rules without penalty.
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a) CAPS
i) Ball caps must be alike, are mandatory for all male players
and must be worn properly.
ii) Caps, visors and headbands are optional for female players
and players are free to choose which of these they wish to
wear. Each must be of the same color and style of the team
uniform colors. Plastic or hard visors are not allowed.
iii) Should a defensive player wear an approved helmet of
a similar color of the team uniform cap, they will not be
required to wear a cap.
b) UNDERSHIRTS
i) A player may wear a uniform-colored undershirt (it may
be white). It is not mandatory that all players wear an
undershirt; however, if one player wears one, those that are
worn must be alike. No player may wear ragged, frayed or
slit sleeves on exposed undershirts.
ii) A player may wear one or two warming sleeves
(compression) sleeve(s) provided that each is the same one
solid color that is a team uniform color and that the color
matches all other undershirts worn by any player on that
team.
c) PANTS/SLIDING PANTS. All player pants must be either all long
or all short in style. A player may wear a uniform solid color pair
of sliding pants. It is not mandatory that all players wear sliding
pants, but if more than one player wears them, they must be
alike in color and style except temporary, Snap-On or Velcro
sliding pads. No player may wear ragged, frayed or slit legs on
exposed sliding pants.
d) NUMBERS. An Arabic number of contrasting color at least 15.2
cm. (6 in.) high must be worn on the back of all uniform shirts.
No manager, coach or player on the same team may wear
identical numbers (numbers 1 and 01 are examples of identical
numbers.) Only whole numbers 01 to 99 must be used. Players
without numbers will not be permitted to play.
e) NAMES. Individual names may be worn above the numbers on
the back of all uniform shirts.
f) CASTS. A cast (plaster, metal or other hard substances in its
nal form) may not be worn in a game. Any exposed metal
(other than a cast) must be adequately covered by a soft
material, taped and approved by the Umpire.
g) DISTRACTING ADORNMENTS. No exposed items, including
jewelry, judged by the Umpire to be distracting to opposing
players, may be worn or displayed. The Umpire must require
the item to be removed or covered. Medical alert bracelets and/
or necklaces, if deemed distracting, must be taped to the body
in such a manner that the medical alert information is visible.
2.6 COACHES’ UNIFORMS
A coach must be neatly attired, including the wearing of suitable
footwear, or be dressed in team uniform in accordance with the
color code of the team. If a coach chooses to wear a cap, it must
conform to Rule 2.5.1 a).
2.7 EQUIPMENT
Notwithstanding any provision of these Rules, the WBSC Equipment
Standards Commission reserves the right to withhold or withdraw
approval of any equipment which, in the WBSC Equipment
Standards Commission’s sole determination, signicantly changes
the character of the game, affects the safety of participants or
spectators or renders a player’s performance more a product of the
equipment rather than the player’s individual skill.
EFFECTS
Rule 2.4.2
Wearing improper shoes
Rule 2.4.3 a)
Failure of a catcher to wear helmet, mask or
throat protector
Rules 2.4.3 c)-d)
Failure to wear mandatory equipment
2.5.1
Improper uniform or improper wearing of a
uniform by a player
Rules 2.4.3 c)-d)
Failure to wear mandatory equipment
2.6
Improper dress by a coach
Effect
After a warning from the umpire and a failure
to comply or a repetition of the violation, a
violator shall be ejected from the game.
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3 PARTICIPANTS
3.1 DEFINITIONS
3.1.1 BASE COACH
An offensive team person who takes their position on the eld and
within the coach’s box while their team is at bat.
3.1.2 COACH
A person who is responsible for their team’s actions on the eld
and for ofcial communication with the Umpire and the opposing
team representatives. A player may be a coach, either as a
replacement for an absent coach or as a playing coach.
3.1.3 DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP)
A starting offensive player who bats for the FLEX.
3.1.4 EJECTION
The act of any Umpire ordering a player, ofcial or any team
member to leave the game and the grounds for a Rule violation for
the remainder of the game.
3.1.5 FIELDER
Any defensive player of the team on the eld.
3.1.6 FLEX PLAYER (FLEX)
The starting player who is listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card
and for whom the DP is batting. The FLEX may play any defensive
position and may enter the game on offense only in the DP’s
batting position.
3.1.7 HEAD COACH
A manager of a team or the coach who takes the primary
responsibilities of a coach is considered a head coach.
3.1.8 ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY
An illegal re-entry occurs when:
a) a starting player returns to the game in a different batting
position in the line-up;
b) a substitute re-enters the game, not as a replacement player;
c) a starting player re-enters the game a second time, not as a
replacement player;
d) an ineligible replacement player enters the game; or
e) the FLEX enters the game on offense for a player other than
the DP.
3.1.9 UNREPORTED SUBSTITUTION
An unreported substitution occurs when a player enters the game
without being reported to the responsible Umpire as:
a) a substitute;
b) a player eligible to enter, return to or stay in the game under
the provisions of the Replacement Player Rule;
c) a declared ineligible player; or
d) an illegal re-entry.
3.1.10 INELIGIBLE PLAYER
A player who may no longer participate in the game as a player
because they have been removed by an Umpire. An ineligible player
may continue in the game as a coach.
3.1.11 INELIGIBLE REPLACEMENT PLAYER
An ineligible replacement player is a player who may not enter
the game to replace a withdrawn player. An ineligible replacement
player entering the game is considered an illegal re-entry. An
ineligible replacement player is one who:
a) has been removed from the game by an Umpire for a Rule
violation;
b) is in the current line-up; or
c) is not in the current line-up but eligible to re-enter the game.
3.1.12 INFIELDER
A defensive player, including the pitcher and catcher, who is
generally positioned anywhere near or within the lines of the base
paths forming fair territory. A player who normally plays in the
outeld may be considered an inelder if they move into the area
normally covered by inelders.
3.1.13 LINE-UP CARD
The list of starting players, substitutes and coaches that is given to
the Umpire-In-Chief and/or the Plate Umpire and the ofcial scorer
before the start of the game. The Plate Umpire retains the line-up
card for the duration of the game.
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3.1.14 LINE-UP
Comprised of the players currently in the game on offense and
defense, including the DP and the FLEX.
3.1.15 OFFENSIVE PLAYER ONLY (OPO)
A player in the batting order, other than the FLEX, for whom the DP
is playing defense.
3.1.16 RE-ENTRY
When a starting player returns to the game after being substituted.
3.1.17 REMOVAL FROM THE GAME
When an Umpire declares a player ineligible for further participation
in the game as a result of a Rule violation. Any person so removed
may continue to sit on the bench but may not participate further in
the game except as a coach.
3.1.18 REPLACEMENT PLAYER
A player permitted to enter the game for a withdrawn player.
3.1.19 ROSTER
The list of all players eligible to be entered on a team’s line-up card.
3.1.20 STARTING PLAYER
A player listed on the line-up card that starts the game in the eld
or at bat.
3.1.21 SUBSTITUTE
a) A non-starting player who has not been in the game other than
as a replacement player.
b) A starting player who has left the game once and who is
eligible to return to the line-up.
3.1.22 TEAM MEMBER
A person authorized to sit on the team bench.
3.1.23 TEMPORARY RUNNER
A player who may run for the catcher or pitcher of record who is
on base with two outs.
3.1.24 WITHDRAWN PLAYER
A player who must leave the game due to an injury that is bleeding
and cannot be stopped in a reasonable time or when the player’s
uniform becomes covered with blood.
3.2 LINE UP AND ROSTERS
3.2.1 LINE-UP CARD
a) The line-up card contains:
i) the last name, rst name, position and uniform number of
the starting players;
ii) the last name, rst name and uniform number of any
available substitutes; and
iii) the last name and rst name of the head coach.
b) A player’s name cannot be on the line-up card unless the player
is present in uniform and in the team area.
c) An eligible roster player may be added to the substitute list at
any time during the game.
d) A male roster will only contain male players and a female roster
only female players.
e) If a uniform number is incorrectly given on the line-up card,
a change may be made without penalty. If a player wearing
an incorrect number violates any Rule, that Rule violation has
precedence and must be enforced. If the player remains in the
game following the violation, the number must be corrected
before play may continue.
3.2.2 PLAYERS
a) Each team must have a minimum of nine (9) players in the line-
up at all times. Using the DP, a team must have ten (10) players
listed in the line-up. The DP must be declared on the starting
line-up.
i) The defensive player positions are pitcher (F1), catcher
(F2), rst base player (F3), second base player (F4), third
base player (F5), shortstop (F6), left elder (F7), center
elder (F8) and right elder (F9).
ii) The defensive player positions with 10 players are the same
as a team of nine (9) players plus the DP.
b) Players of the team in the eld may be stationed anywhere in
fair territory at the start of each pitch, except for the catcher
who must be in the catcher’s box and the pitcher who must be
in a legal pitching position or in the pitching circle when the
Umpire puts the ball in play.
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c) A team must have the required number of eligible players in the
line-up at all times to continue a game.
3.2.3 STARTING PLAYERS
a) A starting player is ofcial once the line-up card has been
conrmed by the team representative and the Plate Umpire at
the pre-game meeting at home plate.
b) The names, uniform numbers, and positions may be entered on
the line-up card in advance of the pre-game meeting.
c) In the case of injury or illness, the team representative may
make changes to the line-up card at the home plate meeting
prior to the line-ups being declared ofcial. A listed substitute
may take the place of an ill or injured starting player whose
name is in their team’s starting line-up, and they would be
considered the starting player and the other player may be a
substitute.
d) The starting player so changed at the home plate meeting may
enter the game as a substitute at any time later in the game.
e) All starting players, including the DP and the FLEX, may be
substituted and re-enter the line-up once and must remain in
the same batting position whenever they are in the line-up. A
violation of this rule is considered an illegal re-entry.
3.2.4 DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP)
a) A DP may bat for any defensive player who is designated as
the FLEX.
b) The DP may play defense for any player including the FLEX.
i) If the DP plays defense for a player other than the Flex
Player, that player continues to bat and is identied as the
OPO. The OPO is not considered to have left the game and
continues to bat but does not play defense.
ii) When the DP plays defense for the FLEX, this is treated like
a substitution for the FLEX or the FLEX’s substitute and
must be reported to the Umpire. The DP may play defense
for the FLEX any number of times.
iii) When the DP plays defense for the FLEX, the line-up
reverts to nine (9) players and the game may legally end
with nine (9) players.
iv) A team’s line-up may revert to ten (10) players by a player:
1) entering a substitute in the FLEX position; or
2) re-entering the original starting FLEX, but only once.
c) The DP and the FLEX cannot be in the game on offense at the
same time.
3.2.5 FLEX
a) If a team declares the use of a DP, the team must name a FLEX
on the line-up card.
b) The FLEX is placed in the non-batting position (10th) in the
starting line-up immediately following the rst nine (9) batting
positions and may play any defensive position.
c) The FLEX may enter the game on offense only for the DP.
i) The line-up goes to nine (9) players when the FLEX enters
the game on offense. The team can nish the game with
nine (9) players in the line-up.
ii) The FLEX may enter the line-up in the DP batting position
any number of times. This is treated like a substitution for
the DP or the DP’s substitutes and must be reported to the
plate Umpire.
iii) A team’s line-up may revert to ten (10) players by a player:
1. entering a substitute into the DP position; or
2. re-entering the original starting DP player, but only once.
d) A FLEX who enters the game on offense for a player other
than the DP is considered an illegal re-entry.
3.2.6 THE REPLACEMENT PLAYER
a) A replacement player may enter the game for a withdrawn
player.
b) The withdrawn player must not return to the game until all
bleeding ceases, the injury is cleaned and covered and, if
necessary, the uniform is replaced, whether or not the uniform
shirt has a different number. There is no penalty for using a
different number; however, the Umpire must be informed of the
change in numbers.
c) A replacement player may play for the withdrawn player for
the remainder of the inning in progress and for the following
complete inning. The withdrawn player may return to the
game at any time during this period without being treated
as a substitution. A replacement player is not considered a
substitute. If the withdrawn player cannot return, after the
remainder of the inning and after the completion of the next
full inning, a legal substitution must be made.
d) A team representative must notify the Plate Umpire of all
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line-up card changes. A proper appeal of the failure to do
so that is upheld shall result in that player being declared an
unreported substitution.
e) A replacement player may be:
i) a listed substitute who has not yet been in the game;
ii) a listed substitute who has been in the game but
subsequently substituted from the game; or
iii) a starting player who is no longer in the line-up and who is
no longer eligible to re-enter the game.
3.2.7 TEMPORARY RUNNER
A temporary runner is legal for a catcher or pitcher who is listed in
the starting line-up in the top of the rst inning or is the catcher or
pitcher of record from the previous half inning who is on base with
two (2) outs. The following provisions apply:
a) the use of a temporary runner is optional for the offensive
team;
b) the temporary runner may be used any time after the second
out occurs; and
c) the temporary runner is the player scheduled to bat last and
who is not on base at the time the option is taken
If an incorrect player is used as a temporary runner, the runner shall
be called out if a proper appeal is made by the defensive team after
a pitch or play is made and the appeal is upheld. A proper appeal
may be made at any time the incorrect runner is on base. If the
offense places the correct runner on base before a proper appeal is
made, there is no penalty.
3.2.8 ENTERING THE GAME (SUBSTITUTIONS)
a) A substitute named on the line-up card may take the place
of any player in the line-up. Multiple substitutions may be
made for the player that is listed in the starting line-up, but
no substitute may return to the game after being substituted
(removed from the game) except as a replacement player. A
substitute who re-enters the game as a player is an illegal re-
entry.
b) A starting player and their substitute(s) may not be in the
game at the same time.
c) A substitution must take place only when the ball is dead. The
coach or team representative must immediately notify the
Plate Umpire before the substitution is made. The substitute is
not legally in the game until a pitch has been thrown or a play
has been made. The Plate Umpire will notify the scorer of the
change.
d) Any substitute who has entered the game but has not been
reported to the Umpire becomes an unreported substitution.
e) There is no violation if the manager, coach, team representative
or the player in violation noties the Umpire prior to the
offended team’s appeal
f) If an injury prevents a batter, a batter-runner or a runner from
advancing to an awarded base and the ball is dead, the batter-
runner or runner may be substituted. The substitute will be
allowed to proceed to awarded bases. The substitute must
touch any awarded base(s) or missed base(s) not previously
touched.
g) An ineligible player may not return to the game as a player.
3.3 APPEALS
a) An appeal must be made by a manager, coach or player before
an Umpire may consider and make a decision on:
i) an unreported substitution;
ii) an illegal re-entry; or
iii) an illegible player.
b) An appeal for the above can be made at any time while the
player is in the game.
EFFECTS
Rule 3.2.2 a, 3.2.3
c and 3.2.6 c
Failure to complete a game with the required
number of players.
Effect
The game is forfeited to the non-offending team.
Rule 3.1.10 a-b,
3.2.4 b ii, 3.2.5 c ii,
3.2.6 d and 3.2.8
a-e
Unreported substitution of:
a) A substitute; or
b) A player under the Replacement Player Rule.
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Effect
a) An unreported substitute may be appealed.
b) The appeal must be brought to the attention of the
responsible Umpire while the unreported substitute is
in the game.
c) Once a pitch has been thrown or a play has been made
and the unreported substitute has been discovered, the
player is declared an ineligible player.
d) A legal substitute must replace the ineligible player. If
the team in violation does not have a legal substitute,
the game is forfeited in favor of the non-offending
team.
e) If the unreported substitute is properly appealed while
at bat, a legal substitute will assume the ball and strike
count.
i. All play completed prior to the discovery and
succesful appeal of an unreported substitute is
legal; however, if the unreported substitute bats,
reaches base or scores, is then discovered and a
proper appeal is made and upheld before a pitch is
thrown to the next batter, or at the end of the game
and before the Umpires leave the eld, all runners
will return to the base occupied at the time of the
pitch and the unreported substitute is called out.
ii. Every out made while an unreported substitute is
in the game will stand.
f) If an unreported substitute is discovered on defense
and after making a play or if the player is a pitcher and
a pitch has been thrown and a proper appeal is made
and upheld, the player is declared ineligible and the
offensive team has the option of 1) taking the result
of the play or 2) having the batter return to bat and
assume the batter’s ball and strike count prior to the
discovery and successful appeal of the unreported
substitute. Each runner would return to the base
occupied prior to the play or pitch.
g) After an upheld appeal for an unreported substitute or
an illegal re-entry, the original player or their substitute
is considered to have left the game.
h) A substitute that is an illegal re-entry shall be subject to
the penalty for the violation involved.
i) A substitute that is a declared ineligible player will
receive the penalty for that violation.
Rule 3.2.2 a,
3.2.3 c and
3.2.6 c
Failure to complete a game with the required number of
players.
Effect
The game is forfeited to the non-offending team.
Rule 3.1.9, 3.1.12 ,
3.2.5 d and 3.2.8
Illegal re-entry
Effect
1. This is subject to appeal, which can be made
anytime while the illegal re-entered player is in the
game and does not have to be made before the next
pitch.
a) The head coach named on the line-up card and
the illegal re-entered player are ejected.
b) A legal substitute must replace the ejected illegal
re-entered player before the game can continue.
c) A new head coach must be named.
d) If the illegal re-entry is also an unreported
substitute, both effects must be applied.
e) If an illegal re-entry is not appealed and if this
results in both the illegal re-entry and the original
player remaining in the game with the result that
a number of consecutive players in the batting
order become illegal re-entries:
i. only the most recent illegal re-entry may be
appealed; this player and the head coach
named shall be ejected;
ii. the Effects for an illegal substitution also
apply;
iii. a legal substitute must be entered into the
game for the ejected player and a new head
coach named;
iv. all other illegal re-entries who are not the
direct subject of the appeal must return to
their original position in the batting order
without being considered an illegal re-entry
and all plays stand, except as noted.
Should the FLEX enter on offense for a player other
than the DP, is one of two or more illegal re-entries
and is on base at the time of the appeal, even
though the FLEX is not the direct subject of the
appeal, the FLEX shall be removed from the base
and returned to the 10th position on the line-up
card. This is not an additional out. The FLEX who
is removed from a base is not replaced by another
runner.
Ineligible Player
Rule 3.1.10 c and
3.1.11
Ineligible player returning to the game
Effect
When a declared ineligible player returns to the
game, a forfeit is declared in favor of the non-
offending team.
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3.4 COACHES
3.4.1 IN GENERAL
a) A coach or team representative is responsible for notifying the
Plate Umpire when a change occurs in the line-up.
b) A coach may not use language that will reect negatively upon
players, Umpires or spectators.
c) No communication equipment shall be used between:
i) a coach on the eld;
ii) a coach and the dugout;
iii) a coach and any player; or
iv) the spectator area and the eld, including the dugout, a
coach and a player.
d) A defensive team coach or manager may be a non-playing
coach who remains in the dugout or a playing coach who
enters the game as a player.
e) A playing coach in a game may give direction and assistance to
their team during the game.
f) A coach shall only address their own team members.
3.4.2 HEAD COACH
a) The head coach is responsible for signing the line-up card.
b) In the event the head coach is ejected from a game, they will
submit to the Plate Umpire the name of the person who is
to assume the duties of head coach for the remainder of the
game.
3.4.3 BASE COACHES
a) Up to two base coaches are allowed to give words of assistance
and direction to the members of their team while at bat.
i) Each base coach must remain with both feet within the
connes of their coach’s box. One must be stationed near
rst base and one near third base.
ii) A base coach may leave the coach’s box to avoid a elder
or to signal a runner to slide, advance or return to a base, as
long as they do not interfere with play.
b) While in a coach’s box, a base coach may hold a non-electronic,
non-reective scorebook, pen, pencil and/or an indicator, all
of which will be used only for scorekeeping or record-keeping
purposes.
c) A Youth age player who coaches in the rst or third base
coach’s boxes and a youth age representative who participates
as a bat person while on the eld or in the dugout must wear
an approved helmet.
EFFECTS
Rule 3.4
Violation of Coach responsibilities.
Effect
A warning must be issued for the rst offense. Any
subsequent infraction by a manager/coach of the
same team must result in the ejection of the head
coach.
Rule 3.4.3 c
Failure of Youth age player who coaches in the
coach’s box to wear a helmet
Effect
After a warning for a repeat violation, the Youth
player must be ejected.
3.5 TEAM PERSONNEL
3.5.1 IN GENERAL
a) No team member may dispute any judgment decision by an
Umpire.
b) During a game, a person on the line-up card or otherwise
permitted in the dugout must remain inside the designated
dugout area, except when these Rules permit or when
considered justied by an Umpire. This includes players other
than the on-deck batter (who must remain in the on-deck
circle) at the start of the game, between innings or when a
pitcher is warming up. There shall be no smoking, consumption
of alcohol or the use of chewing tobacco in the designated
area.
c) A team member must not:
i) make or permit another person to make or cause to
be made a disparaging or insulting remark to or about
opposing players, ofcials or spectators; or
ii) commit any act that is deemed to be unsportsmanlike
conduct.
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EFFECTS
Rule 3.5.1 a)
3.5.1 b)
Disputing Umpire judgment and dugout conduct
Effect
a) The rst offense is a team warning.
b) A repeat offense will result in the ejection of that
team member.
Rule 3.5.1 c)
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Effect
a) For a rst offense, the offender may be warned.
i. If the rst offense is serious, the Umpire will
eject the offender.
ii. For a second offense, the offender is ejected.
b) A team member ejected from the game shall go
directly to the dressing room for the remainder
of the game or leave the grounds.
c) Failure of a person ejected, to leave the game
immediately will warrant a forfeiture of the game.
d) An ofciating Umpire may report a team
member for offensive conduct, language or
physical abuse any time after a game has been
called, in which case the reported team member
will appear before the organization under which
the game or tournament is played.
3.6 UMPIRES
3.6.1 POWER AND DUTIES
The Umpires are the representatives of the league or organization
by which they have been assigned to a particular game, and as
such, are authorized and required to enforce these Rules. They
have the power to order a player, coach, captain or manager to do
or omit to do any act that in their judgment is necessary to give
force and effect to one or all of these Rules and to impose effects
as herein prescribed. The Plate Umpire has the authority to make
decisions on any situations not specically covered by the Rules.
3.6.2 THE PLATE UMPIRE
The Plate Umpire is charged with the following responsibilities:
a) solely decide on the tness of the playing eld for a game;
b) take a position behind home plate and behind the catcher;
c) have full charge of, and be responsible for, the proper conduct
of the game;
d) call all balls and strikes;
e) by agreement and in cooperation with the Base Umpire(s), call
plays hit balls, fair or foul, legal or illegal caught balls. On plays
that necessitate the Base Umpire leaving the ineld, the Plate
Umpire shall assume the duties normally required of the base
Umpire in accordance with the relevant Umpire system.
f) determine and declare whether:
i) a batter bunts a ball; or
ii) a batted ball touches the person or clothing of the batter;
g) render base decisions when required to do so;
h) determine when a game is forfeited; and
i) assume all duties when assigned as a single Umpire to a game.
3.6.3 THE BASE UMPIRE
a) A Base Umpire will take such positions on the playing eld as
required in accordance with the relevant Umpire systems.
b) A Base Umpire will assist the Plate Umpire in every way to
enforce these Rules.
3.6.4 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SINGLE UMPIRE
If only one Umpire is assigned, their duties and jurisdiction will
extend to all matters under these Rules. The Umpire’s starting
position for each pitch will be from behind home plate and behind
the catcher. On each batted ball or play that develops, the Umpire
will move out from behind the plate and into the ineld to obtain
the best position for any play that develops.
3.6.5 CHANGE OF UMPIRES
An Umpire cannot be changed during a game by the consent of
the teams unless they are incapacitated by injury or illness.
3.6.6 UMPIRE’S JUDGMENT
a) There will be no appeal of any decision of any Umpire on the
grounds that they were not correct in their conclusion as to
whether a batted ball was fair or foul, a runner safe or out, a
pitched ball a strike or ball or on any play involving accuracy
of judgment. No decision rendered by any Umpire will be
reversed, except where the Umpire is convinced it is in violation
of one of these Rules. In case the manager, captain of either
team seeks a reversal of a decision based solely on a point
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of the Rules, the Umpire whose decision is in question will
if in doubt confer with their associate(s) before taking any
action. Only the manager or the captain of a team is legally
empowered to protest on a decision and seek its reversal on a
claim that it is in conict with these Rules.
b) Under no circumstances will any Umpire seek to reverse a
decision made by their associate(s) or criticize or interfere with
the duties of their associate(s), unless asked to do so by them.
c) The Umpires, in consultation, may rectify any situation in which
the reversal of an Umpire’s decision or a delayed call by an
Umpire places a batter-runner or runner in jeopardy or places
the defensive team at a disadvantage. This correction is not
possible after one legal, or illegal, pitch has been thrown, or if
all players on the defensive team have abandoned fair territory.
3.6.7 SUSPENSION OF PLAY
a) An Umpire will suspend play when, in their judgment,
conditions justify such action.
b) Play will be suspended when the late Umpire leaves their
position to brush the plate or to perform other duties not
directly connected with the calling of plays.
c) The Umpire will suspend play whenever a batter or pitcher
steps out of position for a legitimate reason.
d) An Umpire will not call “TIME” after the pitcher has started the
windup.
e) An Umpire will not call “TIME” while any play is in progress.
f) In case of injury, except in the Umpires’ judgment with a serious
injury (which may put the player in danger), “TIME” will not
be called until all plays in progress have been completed or
runners have been held at their base.
g) Umpires will not suspend play at the request of a player, coach
or manager until all action in progress by both teams has been
completed.
EFFECT
Rule 3.6.7
Suspension of Play. Time called due to a serious
injury putting a player in danger.
Effect
In the case of injury, when “TIME” is called the ball
is dead and a runner(s) may be awarded a base or
bases that they would have made if, in the Umpire’s
judgment, had the injury not occurred.
3.7 SCORERS/SCOREKEEPERS
3.7.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICIAL SCORER
The ofcial scorer/scorekeeper will:
a) prepare or cause to be prepared and keep records of a game as
provided for in these Rules;
b) be the sole authority for all scoring decisions involving
judgment;
c) determine whether a batter-runner’s advance to rst base is
the result of a hit or error; and
d) not make a scoring decision that is inconsistent or in conict
with these Rules or an Umpire’s decision.
4 PITCHING
4.1 DEFINITIONS
4.1.1 CHARGED DEFENSIVE CONFERENCE
When an Umpire grants time to the defensive team or suspends
play to allow:
a) a defensive team representative to enter the playing eld to
communicate with any elder; or
b) a elder to go to the dugout and gives the Umpire reason to
believe that instructions were received.
4.1.2 CROW HOP
Where:
a) the pitcher pushes off from a place other than the pitcher’s
plate to deliver the ball; or
b) the pitcher steps off the pitcher’s plate establishing a second
impetus (or starting point) and then pushes off from the new
starting point and completes the delivery.
4.1.3 ILLEGAL PITCHER
A player legally in the game but who may not pitch as a result of
being removed from the pitching position by the Umpire.
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4.1.4 LEAPING
Where:
a) the pitcher becomes airborne on their initial move by a push
from the pitcher’s plate not involving a crow hop;
b) the pitcher’s pivot foot may push off and/or follow through
with this continuous action and the pitcher’s forward
movement causes their entire body (including the pivot foot
and the stepping non-pivot) foot to be in the air at the same
time and moving toward home plate; and
c) the pitch is completed when the pitcher lands and with a
continuous motion delivers the ball to the plate.
4.1.5 PASSED BALL
A pitch that should have been held or controlled by the catcher
with ordinary effort.
4.1.6 PITCH
When the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter.
4.1.7 PIVOT FOOT
The foot with which the pitcher pushes off the pitcher’s plate.
4.1.8 QUICK RETURN PITCH
A pitch made with the obvious attempt to catch the batter
unprepared for the pitch before the batter takes a desired position
in the batter’s box or while off balance as a result of the previous
pitch.
4.1.9 SLINGSHOT PITCH
A pitch where the pitcher drops their pitching arm to the side and
rear before starting a quick slingshot action and accelerating with
their forward motion. To be a legal pitch, the pitcher must release
the ball on the rst forward motion past the hip and not make a full
revolution of the pitching arm. A slingshot pitch is legal in fastpitch
but not in modied pitch.
4.2 DEFENSIVE CONFERENCE
4.2.1 CHARGED DEFENSIVE CONFERENCE
a) A defensive team has only three (3) charged defensive
conferences in a seven-inning game.
b) Charged defensive conferences are accumulative and do not
start over when a new pitcher enters the game.
c) Charged defensive conferences not taken in the seven innings
do not carry forward to extra-inning games.
d) There is only one charged defensive conference for every
extra inning in an extra-innings game. A charged defensive
conference not taken in an extra inning of a game may not be
carried over to any subsequent extra inning.
e) A charged defensive conference ends when the defensive
team member crosses the foul line returning to the dugout or a
elder returns to the eld.
f) A conference includes players in the eld leaving their position
and going to the dugout for instructions, whether or not ‘‘TIME’’
has been requested.
EFFECT
Rule 4.2.1 a
Excessive Defensive Conferences.
Effect
For the fourth and each additional charged
defensive conference in a seven-inning game or
for any charged defensive conference in excess of
one per inning in an extra-inning game, the pitcher
in the game during the conference is declared
an illegal pitcher who may not pitch again for
the remainder of the game but may play another
elding position.
4.2.2 WHAT IS NOT A CHARGED DEFENSIVE CONFERENCE
A conference is not a charged defensive conference when:
a) a manager, coach or defensive team member reports a pitching
change to the Plate Umpire before or after communicating with
the pitcher;
b) from the dugout, a manager, coach or player reports a
substitution to the responsible Umpire and after making the
change crosses the foul line to talk to the pitcher or any elder;
c) one or more defensive team members and at least one elder
confer during a charged offensive conference as long as all
elders are in position and ready to resume play when the
offense is ready;
d) instructions are communicated from the dugout;
e) a manager/coach playing in the game confers with a elder.
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The Umpire may control the meetings between the playing
manager/coach and a pitcher by issuing a warning and if it
continues, ejecting the playing manager/coach; or
f) an Umpire has suspended play.
4.3 LEGAL PITCH REQUIREMENTS
4.3.1 PRELIMINARY ACTION BEFORE DELIVERING A PITCH
Before delivering a pitch, the following actions must occur.
a) All players must be positioned in fair territory, and the catcher
must be in the catcher’s box and in a position to receive the pitch.
b) The pitcher must have possession of the ball and be on or near
the pitcher’s plate.
c) The pitcher must have the pivot foot in contact with the
pitcher’s plate and both feet within the 61.0 cm. (24 in.) length
of the pitcher’s plate. The hips must be in line with rst and
third bases.
(MP only – The pitcher must have both feet in contact with the
pitcher’s plate and within the 61.0 cm. (24 in.) length of the
pitcher’s plate. The shoulders must be in a line with rst and
third bases).
d) The pitcher must take, or appear to take, a signal from the
catcher while legally in contact with the pitcher’s plate with the
hands separated and the ball in either the glove or the pitching
hand.
e) The pitcher must, after taking the signal, bring their whole
body to a full and complete stop with the ball in both hands
in front of the body. The stepping (non-pivot) foot must be
stationary at the start and during pause. The stepping (non-
pivot) foot can only move forward with the start of the pitch.
Any backward movement of the stepping non-pivot foot during
or after the pause is an illegal action. This position must be
held for not less than two (2) seconds and not more than ve
(5) seconds before releasing the ball. Holding the ball in both
hands to the side of the body is considered in front of the body.
(MP only: This position must be held for not less than two (2) seconds
and not more than ten (10) seconds before releasing the ball.)
4.3.2 STARTING THE PITCH
a) The pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball, or the
pitcher makes any motion that is part of the pitcher’s wind up.
The pitcher may not use a pitching motion in which, after being
in the pitching position with the ball in both hands, they take a
backward and forward swing and return the ball to both hands
in front of the body.
b) The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate
prior to the start of the pitch. Lifting the pivot foot off the
pitcher’s plate and returning it to the plate, creating a rocking
motion, is an illegal act.
(MP Only: Both feet must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate
prior to the start of the pitch. Lifting the pivot foot off the pitcher’s
plate and returning it to the plate, creating a rocking motion, is an
illegal act.)
4.3.3 LEGAL DELIVERY
FAST PITCH
All of the following must take place for a pitch to be a legal pitch.
a) The pitcher must immediately deliver the ball to the batter
upon making any motion to pitch.
b) The pitcher must only make one revolution on the windmill
pitch. The pitcher may drop their pitching arm to the side
and rear before starting the windmill or slingshot motion. The
pitching arm may pass the hip twice on the windmill pitch, but
only once on a slingshot pitch.
c) The delivery must be an underhand motion with the hand
below the hip, the wrist not further from the body than the
elbow and with no stop or reversal of the forward motion.
d) The release of the ball and follow through of the hand and wrist
must be forward and past the straight line of the body.
e) In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher may take one step
with the stepping (non-pivot) foot simultaneously with the
release of the ball. The step must be forward toward the batter
and within the 61.0 cm. (24 in.) length of the pitcher’s plate. It
is not a step if the pitcher slides either foot across the pitcher’s
plate, provided contact is maintained with the plate and there is
no movement backward off the plate.
f) The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate,
push off and drag away from the pitcher’s plate or be airborne
prior to the stepping (non-pivot) foot touching the ground.
The pitcher may leap from the pitcher’s plate, land and with a
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continuous motion deliver the ball to the batter. The pivot foot
may follow through with the pitcher’s continuous action.
g) All movement of the pitching arm must be continuous as the
pitcher steps or pushes or leaps from the pitcher’s plate.
h) The pitcher’s push off to drag, leap or hop must start from the
pitcher’s plate. The pitcher must not crow hop or push off from
any place other than the pitcher’s plate.
i) The pitcher’s arm on the release of the ball may follow through,
provided the wind-up does not continue.
j) The pitcher must deliver the ball to the batter so as not to
deliberately drop, roll or bounce the ball to prevent the batter
from hitting it.
k) The pitcher has twenty (20) seconds to release the next pitch
after receiving the ball or after the Umpire indicates “PLAY BALL”.
MODIFIED PITCH
All the following must take place for a pitch to be a legal pitch.
a) The pitcher must immediately deliver the ball to the batter
upon making any motion to pitch.
b) The pitcher may take the ball behind their back on the
backswing, provided there is no stop or reversal of the forward
motion and the pitcher does not use a windmill or slingshot-
type of pitch or make a complete revolution in the delivery.
c) The ball must be inside the pitcher’s wrist on the downward
motion and during the complete delivery.
d) The delivery must be an underhanded motion with the hand
below the hip, and the palm may be pointing downward.
e) On the forward swing of the pitching arm:
i) the elbow must be locked at the point of release; and
ii) the shoulders and driving hip must be squared to home
plate when the ball is released.
f) The release of the ball must be on the rst forward swing of
the pitching arm and must pass the hip. The release must have
a complete, smooth follow-through with no abrupt stop of the
arm near the hip.
g) Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the
pitcher’s plate before the stepping (non-pivot) foot has left the
plate is a crow hop and is illegal.
h) In an act of delivering the ball, the pitcher must take one step
simultaneous with the release of the ball. The step must be
forward toward the batter and within the 61.0 cm. (24 in.)
length of the pitcher’s plate. The stepping (non-pivot) foot
must be pointed toward home plate and must not touch the
ground in front of, or across over a straight line between the
pivot foot and home plate. It is not a step if the pitcher slides
either foot across the pitcher’s plate, provided contact is
maintained with the pitcher’s plate. Lifting the pivot foot off the
pitchers’ plate and returning it to the pitcher’s plate, creating a
rocking motion, is a violation of Rule 4.3.2(b).
i) The pitcher’s arm on the release of the ball may follow through,
provided the wind up does not continue.
j) The pitcher must deliver the ball to the batter so as not to
deliberately drop, roll or bounce the ball to prevent the batter
from hitting it.
k) The pitcher has twenty (20) seconds to release the next pitch
after receiving the ball or after the Umpire indicates “PLAY BALL.”
4.3.4 DEFENSIVE POSITIONING
a) A elder must not with unsportsmanlike intent act in any
manner or take a position to distract a batter.
b) With a runner on third base trying to score by means of a
squeeze play or steal, no elder may step on or in front of
home plate without the ball or touch the batter or bat.
4.3.5 FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
a) No defensive team member may at any time during the game
use a foreign substance on a ball. A pitcher who licks the
ngers on their pitching hand must dry them before making
contact with the ball.
b) Under the supervision and control of an Umpire, a resin bag
may be used to dry the hands and must be kept on the ground
behind the pitcher’s plate within the pitching circle when not
in use. During inclement weather or wet eld conditions and
with an Umpire’s permission, the resin bag may be placed in the
pitcher’s back pocket.
c) An approved manufactured cloth embedded with resin only is
permitted to dry the hand and must be kept in the back pocket
or in the belt.
d) No elder may apply resin to the ball or the glove and then
place the ball in contact with that resin.
e) The pitcher may not wear tape on any ngers, or a sweatband,
bracelet or similar type item on the wrist or forearm of the
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pitching arm. If a pitcher requires a sweatband or tape on their
pitching arm as a result of an injury, both arms must be covered
with an undershirt.
4.3.6 THE CATCHER
a) The catcher must remain in the catcher’s box until the pitch is
released.
b) The catcher must return the ball to the pitcher promptly and
directly to the pitcher after each pitch, including after a foul ball,
except:
i) after a strikeout;
ii) when the batter becomes a batter-runner;
iii) when there is a runner on base;
iv) when a foul ball is elded close to the foul line, and the
catcher throws to any base for a possible out; or
v) when, on a checked swing on a dropped third strike situation,
the catcher throws to rst base to retire the batter-runner.
4.3.7 THROWING TO A BASE
After taking the pitching position, the pitcher must not throw or
fake a throw to a base during a live ball while their foot is in contact
with the pitcher’s plate. If this occurs during a live ball appeal
play, the appeal is canceled. The pitcher may stop or disengage
from the pitching position by stepping backward off the pitcher’s
plate before separating the hands. Stepping forward or sideways
constitutes an illegal pitch.
EFFECTS (4.3.1 to 4.3.8)
Rule 4.3.3 k)
A pitcher fails to release the ball in 20 seconds.
Effect
A ball is awarded to the batter. The ball is dead.
Rule 4.3.4 a)
A elder acts in an unsportsmanlike manner or
positions themselves to distract the batter. No pitch has
to be released.
Effect
The player is ejected from the game.
Rule 4.3.4 b)
A elder stands in front of home plate without the ball
or touches the batter or bat on a possible squeeze play.
Effect
The ball is dead. The batter is award rst base on the
obstruction, and all runners advance one base on the
illegal pitch.
Rule 4.3.5
A defensive team member continues to place a foreign
substance on the ball or continues to violate any provision
of Rule 4.3.5.
Effect
An illegal pitch is declared. If the illegal action continues,
the pitcher is removed from the game and declared an
illegal pitcher.
Rule 4.3.6 b)
A catcher does not return the ball directly to the pitcher
with no runners on.
Effect
A ball is awarded the batter.
Rule 4.3.1 to
4.3.7
For an infraction of Rules 4.3.1 to 4.3.7 – Improper pitching
mechanics. (Except for the effects set out above for Rules
4.3.3 k), 4.3.5 and 4.3.6 b) results in an illegal pitch being
declared.)
Effect
This is a delayed dead ball, and the following
provisions and effects apply.
a) If the illegal pitch is not hit an extra ball is awarded to
the batter (rst base if ball four), and each base runner
advances one base. If a runner legally advances on
the illegal pitch, passed ball or wild throw by the
catcher, any extra bases obtained may be retained. If
the runner is put out after advancing one base the
runner will be called out.
b) If the batter hits the illegal pitch, the offensive team
has the option of taking the award for the illegal pitch
or the result of the play. If the batter hits the illegal
pitch and reaches rst base and if all other runners
advance at least one base on the play, the illegal pitch
is nullied and all actions as a result of the play stand
and no option is given.
c) If in a third strike situation, the batter swings at but
does not hit the illegal pitch and it is a dropped third
strike but the catcher throws the batter out at rst
base, and other base runners advance at least one
base, the offensive team has the option of taking the
award for the illegal pitch or the result of the play. In
this case, if the batter-runner reaches rst base as a
result of the dropped third strike and if all other base
runners advance at least one base, the illegal pitch is
nullied, all action as a result of the play stands and no
option is given.
d) If the offensive team manager does not take the result
of the play, the ball is dead, the Umpire will award a
ball to the batter (rst base if ball four), and all runners
advance one base.
e) If an illegal pitch hits the batter, the ball is dead, the
batter is awarded rst base and all runners advance
one base. No option is given.
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4.4 WARM-UP PITCHES
a) At the beginning of the rst inning for both teams or when a
pitcher relieves another pitcher, the pitcher has one (1) minute
to deliver not more than ve (5) warm-up pitches to the
catcher or another defensive team member. At the start of each
half inning (after the rst inning), the pitcher from the previous
inning has one (1) minute to deliver up to three (3) warm-up
pitches. If one minute has expired or is about to expire, the
Umpire will restrict the pitcher to one (1) warm-up pitch.
i) Except when the catcher was on base, at bat or in the on-
deck circle and another defensive player is not used as a
warm-up catcher, the pitcher is limited to one (1) warm-up
pitch, other than a new pitcher.
ii) This does not apply if the Umpire delays the start or
resumption of play due to substitution, conference, injuries
or another reason cited by the Umpire.
b) Play is suspended during warm-up pitches.
c) A pitcher returning to pitch in the same half-inning will not be
entitled to warm-up pitches.
EFFECT
Rule 4.4
Excessive warm-up pitches
Effect
A ball will be awarded to the batter for each extra pitch
taken.
4.5 NO PITCH
A no pitch occurs, a dead ball is declared and all subsequent action
on that pitch is canceled by an Umpire when:
a) the pitcher pitches during a suspension of play;
b) the pitcher attempts a quick return pitch:
i) before the batter has taken their position in the batter’s box;
or
ii) when the batter is off balance as the result of a previous pitch;
c) a runner is called out for leaving a base before the pitcher
releases the pitch from their hand;
d) the pitcher starts the pitch before a runner has retouched the
base after a foul ball has been declared; or
e) a manager, coach or player calls or asks for “TIME,” uses any
other word or phrase or commits any other act while the ball is
live and in play for the obvious purpose of trying to make the
pitcher commit an illegal pitch. In this case, a warning is issued
to the offending team and any repeat of this type of act by any
member of the team warned will result in that person being
ejected from the game.
4.6 DROPPED BALL
If the ball slips or drops from the pitcher’s hand during the delivery:
a) the plate Umpire declares a ball on the batter;
b) the ball remains in play; and
c) a runner may advance at their own risk.
4.7 RETURN OF PITCHER
There is no limit to the number of times a player may return to the
pitching position as long as the player has not left the line-up or
been declared an illegal pitcher by an Umpire.
4.8 ILLEGAL PITCHER
A player who has been declared an illegal pitcher as a result of
the team exceeding the charged defensive conference limit or
having been removed from the pitching position by the Umpire
for repeatedly violating the pitching rule may not return to the
pitching position at any time for the remainder of the game. The
illegal pitcher may play another defensive position and continue on
offense for the remainder of the game.
EFFECT
Rule 4.8
Illegal Pitcher - Declared illegal pitcher returning to the
pitching position and has thrown one pitch, either legal
or illegal.
Effect
a) The illegal pitcher is ejected.
b) If the illegal pitcher is discovered prior to the next
pitch, the offensive team has the option of:
i) taking the result of the play; or
ii) having the play nullied, with the batter returning
to bat and assuming the ball and strike count
held prior to the discovery of the Illegal Pitcher;
and
iii) Each runner returning to the base held at the
time of the pitch.
A pitch is not a play.
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5 BATTING AND BASE RUNNING
5.1 DEFINITIONS
5.1.1 BASE ON BALLS OR WALK
When the Plate Umpire judges four pitches to be balls, including
illegal pitches. The batter is awarded rst base. The ball is live.
5.1.2 BASE PATH
The direct line between a base and the runner’s position at the time
a defensive player is attempting (or about to attempt) to tag a
runner.
5.1.3 BATTED BALL
Any ball that hits the bat or is hit by the bat and lands in fair or foul
territory. No intention to hit the ball is necessary.
5.1.4 BATTER
An offensive player who enters the batter’s box with the intention
of aiding their team to score runs. They continue to be a batter until
they are declared out by the Umpire or become a batter-runner.
5.1.5 BATTER-RUNNER
A player who has nished a turn at bat but has not yet been put
out or reached rst base.
5.1.6 BATTING ORDER
The ofcial listing of offensive players in the line-up in the order in
which members of that team must come to bat.
5.1.7 BLOCKED BALL
A blocked ball is a batted, thrown or pitched ball:
a) that becomes lodged in the fencing or Umpire’s clothing or
equipment;
b) that is touched, stopped or handled by a person not engaged
in the game;
c) that touches any object that is not part of the ofcial
equipment or playing territory;
d) that is touched by a defensive player who is in contact with
the ground not part of the playing territory (the lines are
considered part of the playing area); or
e) A thrown ball touching a base coach accidentally (in or out of
the coach’s box) is not a blocked ball and remains in play.
5.1.8 BUNT
A batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and
tapped slowly within the playing eld.
5.1.9 CATCH
When a elder catches a batted or thrown ball with their hand(s),
glove or mitt.
a) In establishing a legal catch, the elder must hold the ball long
enough to prove that the ball is securely held and/or that the
release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. It is a valid
catch if the player drops the ball after reaching into the glove
to remove it or while in the act of throwing.
b) If the ball is merely held in the elder’s arm(s) or prevented
from dropping to the ground by some part of the elder’s
body, equipment or clothing, the catch is not completed until
the ball is in the grasp of the elder’s hand(s), glove or mitt.
c) In order to have a legal catch, the elder’s feet must be within
the eld of play, touching the dead ball line or being in the air
after leaving live ball territory. If the player has control of the
ball when returning to the ground in ‘dead ball’ territory, it is
a legal catch. A player who is in the dead ball territory and
returns to the live ball territory must have both feet touching
the playable territory prior to touching the ball in order to
have a valid catch. It is a legal catch and the ball is live when
a elder controls the ball in their hand(s), glove or mitt while
standing on a collapsed exible fence.
d) It is not a catch if a elder (while gaining control) collides with
another player, an Umpire or a fence, or falls to the ground
and drops the ball as a result of the collision or falling to the
ground.
e) A batted ball striking anything other than a defensive player
while it is in ight is ruled the same as if it struck the ground.
5.1.10 CHARGED OFFENSIVE CONFERENCE
When the offensive team requests a suspension of play or delays
play to allow the manager, or other team representative, to confer
with any member of their team. This includes the batter, runner,
on-deck batter and the coaches among themselves.
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5.1.11 DEAD BALL
A ball that is not in play and no further play can occur.
5.1.12 DELAYED DEAD BALL
A game situation in which the ball remains live until the conclusion
of a play; when the entire play is completed, and if required, an
Umpire will rule a dead ball and enforce the appropriate ruling.
5.1.13 DETACHED EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORM
When a elder intentionally contacts or catches a fair batted,
thrown or pitched ball with their cap, helmet, mask, protector,
pocket, detached glove or mitt or any part of their uniform that is
detached from its proper place on their person.
5.1.14 DISLODGED BASE
A base displaced from its proper position.
5.1.15 DOUBLE PLAY
A play by the defense in which two offensive players are legally put
out as a result of continuous action.
5.1.16 FAIR BALL
A legally batted live ball:
a) that settles or is touched on or over fair territory between
home and rst base or between home and third base;
b) that bounds past rst or third base on or over fair territory,
regardless of where the ball hits after going over the base;
c) that touches rst, second or third base;
d) that touches the person or clothing of an Umpire or player
while over fair territory;
e) that rst falls on fair territory beyond rst and third base;
f) that passes out of the playing eld beyond the outeld fence
while over fair territory;
g) that hits the foul line pole while in ight;
h) that is judged a fair y according to the relative position of the
ball and foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether
the elder is on fair or foul territory at the time of touching
the ball. It does not matter whether the ball rst touches fair
or foul territory, as long as it does not touch anything foreign
to the natural ground in foul territory and complies with all
other aspects of a fair ball. The position of the ball at the time
of interference determines whether the ball is fair or foul,
regardless if the ball rolls untouched to foul or fair territory.
5.1.17 FAKE TAG
A form of obstruction where a elder not in possession of the ball
impedes the progress of a runner who is advancing or returning to
a base. The runner does not have to stop or slide; merely slowing
down when a fake tag is simulated constitutes obstruction.
5.1.18 FLY BALL
A ball batted into the air.
5.1.19 FORCE OUT
When a runner loses the right to the base that they are occupying
because the batter becomes a batter-runner and before the batter-
runner or a succeeding runner has been put out. On an appeal play
the force out is determined by the force situation at the time the
appeal is made and not at the time of the infraction. If the force has
been broken by an out of a succeeding runner prior to the appeal,
this is no longer a force out. If a forced runner, after touching
the next base, retreats for any reason toward the base they last
occupied, the force play is reinstated.
5.1.20 FOUL BALL
A legally batted ball that:
a) settles on foul territory between home and rst base or
between home and third base;
b) bounds past rst or third on or over foul territory;
c) rst touches on foul territory beyond rst or third base;
d) touches the person, attached or detached equipment or
clothing of an Umpire or player, or any object foreign to the
natural ground, while on or over foul territory;
e) touches the batter or the bat in the batter’s hand(s) a second
time while the batter is within the batter’s box;
f) goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batter’s head, to
any part of the catcher’s body or equipment and is caught by
another elder;
g) hits the pitcher’s plate and rolls untouched to foul territory
before reaching rst or third base;
h) is judged a foul ball, judged according to the relative position
of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not
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as to whether the elder is on fair or foul territory at the
time of touching the ball. The position of the ball at the time
of interference determines whether the ball is fair or foul,
regardless if the ball rolls untouched to foul or fair territory.
5.1.21 FOUL TIP
a) A batted ball that:
i) goes directly from the bat to the catcher’s hands or glove;
ii) goes no higher than the batter’s head; and
iii) is legally caught by the catcher.
It is not a catch if it is a rebound unless the ball rst touched the
catcher’s hand(s), mitt or glove.
5.1.22 HIT BY PITCH
When a ball touches any part of the batter’s person, including
their hands or clothing, while the batter is in the batter’s box and a
pitched ball is not swung at or called a strike. It does not matter if
the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter.
5.1.23 ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL
When the batter contacts the ball:
a) while one foot is completely out of the batter’s box and on the
ground, when they make contact with the ball;
b) while any part of the batter’s foot is touching home plate, when
they make contact with the ball;
c) while contacting the ball with an illegal, non-approved or
altered bat; or
d) After they step with either foot entirely out of the batter’s box,
and then return and make contact with the ball while within the
batter’s box.
5.1.24 ILLEGALLY CAUGHT BALL
When a elder catches a batted, thrown or pitched ball with their
cap, mask, glove, mitt or any part of their uniform while that item is
detached from its proper place.
5.1.25 IN FLIGHT
Any batted, thrown or pitched ball that has not yet touched the
ground or some object other than a elder.
5.1.26 INFIELD FLY
A fair y ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt)
that can be caught by an inelder with ordinary effort when rst
and second, or rst, second and third bases are occupied, before
two outs. The pitcher, catcher and any outelder who position
themselves in the ineld on the play will be considered inelders for
the purpose of this rule.
5.1.27 IN JEOPARDY
When the ball is in play and the offensive player may be put out.
5.1.28 INTENTIONAL BASE ON BALLS OR INTENTIONAL WALK
When the defensive team requests to place the batter on rst base
without pitching four balls. The ball is dead.
5.1.29 INTENTIONALLY DROPPED FLY BALL
A fair y ball, including a line drive or a bunt, with less than two
outs and a runner on rst base that can be caught by an inelder
with ordinary effort, and the inelder intentionally drops the ball
after it is controlled with a hand or a glove. A trapped ball or a y
ball that is allowed to bounce is not considered as having been
intentionally dropped. If an ineld y is ruled, it has precedence
over an intentionally dropped ball.
5.1.30 INTERFERENCE
The act of:
a) an offensive player or team member who impedes, hinders or
confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play;
b) an Umpire who impedes a catcher’s attempt to throw out a
runner who is off the base;
c) an Umpire or runner being hit with a fair untouched batted ball:
i) prior to touching a elder, including the pitcher;
ii) prior to it passing an inelder, other than the pitcher; or
iii) after passing a elder, excluding the pitcher and in the
Umpire’s judgment another elder had a chance to make an
out; or
d) a spectator who enters or reaches into the playing eld and
impedes a elder playing the ball or makes contact with the
ball that a elder is attempting a play on.
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5.1.31 LINE DRIVE
A ball in ight that is batted sharply and directly into the playing eld.
5.1.32 OBSTRUCTION
The act of:
a) a defensive player or team member who hinders or prevents a
batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball;
b) a elder who impedes the progress of a batter-runner or runner
who is legally running bases while:
1) not in possession of the ball;
2) not in the act of elding a batted ball;
3) making a fake tag without the ball;
4) in possession of the ball and who pushes a runner off a base;
or
5) in possession of the ball, but not in the act of making a play
on the batter-runner or runner.
5.1.33 ON-DECK BATTER
The offensive player whose name follows the name of the batter in
the batting order.
5.1.34 OPTION PLAY
A play in which the offensive manager/coach is given the choice of
taking the enforcement of the illegal action or the result of the play.
Such option plays are:
i) catcher obstruction;
ii) use of an illegal glove or mitt;
iii) an illegal substitution;
iv) an illegal pitch; or
v) an illegal pitcher returned to game and pitching.
5.1.35 OVER-SLIDE
When a batter-runner or a runner slides past and loses touch with a
base that they are attempting to reach, which causes them to be in
jeopardy. A batter-runner may over-slide rst base without being in
jeopardy provided they immediately return to rst base.
5.1.36 OVERTHROW
When a ball is thrown from one elder to another and the ball
goes beyond the boundary lines of the playing eld or becomes a
blocked ball.
5.1.37 PICK-OFF PLAY
An attempt by the defensive team to put out a runner who is off
their base as the result of a pitched ball.
5.1.38 PLAY
After a pitch and when the ball is live:
a) a batter takes a pitch in the batter’s box, swings at or hits a
pitch and runs to rst base;
b) after a pitch leaves the pitcher’s hand a runner attempts to
steal a base or advance on a batted ball; or
c) the defensive team attempts to put out a batter-runner or a
runner.
5.1.39 RUNNER
A player of the team at bat who has nished a turn at bat, reached
rst base and has not yet been put out.
5.1.40 SLAP HIT
A batted ball other than a bunt that has been struck with a
controlled short, chopping motion rather than with a full swing. The
two most common types of slap hits are those in which the batter:
a) takes their stance as if to bunt, but then either drives the ball
into the ground with a quick, short swing or punch hits the ball
over the ineld; or
b) takes running steps (within the batter’s box) toward the pitcher
before making contact with the pitch with a quick, short swing
or punch hits the ball over the ineld.
5.1.41 SQUEEZE PLAY
A play in which the offensive team, with a runner on third base,
attempts to score that runner by means of the batter contacting
the ball.
5.1.42 STEALING
When a runner attempts to advance to the next base or home plate
during or after a pitch to the batter.
5.1.43 STRIKE ZONE
The space over any part of home plate between the bottom of
the batter’s sternum (chest plate) and the bottom of the batter’s
kneecap when they assume their natural batting stance.
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(MP only: The space over home plate between the batter’s armpits
and the top of the knees when they assume their natural batting
stance.) The natural batting stance is the stance the batter takes
after the release of the pitch when deciding to swing or not swing at
the pitch.
5.1.44 TAG
A legal tag is the action of a elder in touching:
a) a batter-runner or runner who is not in contact with a base,
with the ball securely held in their hand(s) or glove. The ball
is not considered as having been securely held if it is juggled
or dropped by the elder after tagging the batter-runner or
runner unless that player deliberately knocks the ball from the
hand(s) or glove of the elder. The runner must be tagged with
the hand(s) or glove with which the ball is held; or
b) a base with the ball securely held in their hand(s) or glove. The
base may be touched with any part of the body to be a legal
tag (e.g., the elder could touch the base with a foot, with a
hand, sit on the base, etc.) This would apply to any force out or
appeal situation.
5.1.45 TAGGING UP
The action of a runner returning to their base, or remaining on their
base, before they legally advance on a batted y ball that is rst
touched by a elder.
5.1.46 THIRD STRIKE RULE (DROPPED THIRD STRIKE)
When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball
touches the ground and:
a) there are less than two outs and rst base is unoccupied; or
b) there are two outs.
5.1.47 THROW
The act of one elder throwing the ball to another elder.
5.1.48 TRAPPED BALL
a) A legally batted y ball or line drive that hits the ground or a
fence prior to being caught.
b) A legally batted y ball that is caught against a fence with the
glove, mitt or hand.
c) A thrown ball to any base for a force out that is covered with
the glove or mitt over the ball on the ground rather than under
the ball.
d) A pitched ball that touches the ground on a strike prior to the
catcher catching it.
5.1.49 TRIPLE PLAY
A continuous action play by the defense in which three offensive
players are put out.
5.1.50 TURN AT BAT
Begins when a player rst enters the batter’s box and continues
until the batter is out or becomes a batter-runner.
5.1.51 WILD PITCH
A pitch that is so high, low or wide of the plate that the catcher,
with ordinary effort, cannot or does not stop or control it.
5.1.52 WILD THROW
A throw in which the ball thrown from one elder to another cannot
be caught or controlled and remains in play.
5.2 CHARGED OFFENSIVE CONFERENCE
a) It is not a charged conference when a pitcher is putting on a
warm-up jacket while on base or when the offense confers
while the defensive team is in conference or the game is
suspended, provided that the offense is ready to play when the
defense is ready, or the Umpire restarts the game.
b) Only one charged conference per inning is permitted.
EFFECT
Rule 5.2 b
Second Charged Conference
Effect
Ejection of the coach or manager insisting on the second
charged conference.
5.3 ON-DECK BATTER
a) At the start of an inning, this is the lead-off batter who must
remain in the on-deck circle until called to the batter’s box.
b) Once an inning has started, this is the offensive player who, in
the batting line-up, is the next player to enter the batter’s box.
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c) The on-deck batter:
i) may take a position within either on-deck circle so that they
are behind the batter and not on the batter’s open side. The
lead-off batter in each half inning must use the on-deck
circle closest to their own dugout;
ii) must wear an approved helmet;
iii) may loosen up with no more than two ofcial softball bats,
an approved warm-up bat or a combination not to exceed
two. A bat with which the on-deck batter is loosening up
may not have anything attached to it other than a WBSC
approved bat attachment;
iv) may leave the on-deck circle:
1. when they become the batter;
2. to direct runners advancing from third to home plate; or
3. to avoid possible interference on a y ball or thrown ball;
and
v) must not interfere with a defensive player’s opportunity to
make a play.
EFFECTS
Rule 5.3.c) ii
Failure to wear a helmet when ordered to do so
Effect
After a warning, the player shall be ejected.
Rule 5.3.c) iii
Illegal Warm-up Equipment
Effect
Illegal warm-up equipment shall be removed from the
game. Continued use of the equipment after removal
from the game shall result in the player using such
equipment being ejected from the game.
Rule 5.3v)
Interferes with defensive player opportunity to make a play
Effect
The ball is dead and if the interference is:
1. with a defensive player’s attempt to retire a runner:
a) the runner closest to home plate at the time of the
interference is out; and
b) other runners return to the base last touched at the
time of the interference unless forced to advance
because the batter-runner became a runner;
2. with a defensive player attempting to catch a y ball,
or with a y ball that a elder is attempting to catch;
a) the batter-runner shall be called out; and
b) runners are returned to the base held at the time of
the pitch.
5.4 BATTING
5.4.1 BATTING ORDER
a) The batting order must be followed throughout the game
unless a player is replaced by a substitute who takes the place
of the player they replace in the batting order.
b) The rst batter in each inning must be the batter whose name
follows that of the last batter who completed a turn at bat in
the preceding inning.
c) When the third out in an inning is made before the batter has
completed their turn at bat that batter must be the rst batter
in the next inning. The ball and strike count is canceled.
d) A player bats out of order when they fail to bat in the proper
sequence as listed on the line-up card.
EFFECT
Rule 5.4.1
Batting out of order
Effect
This is an appeal play that may be made by the manager,
coach or player of the defensive team only. The defensive
team forfeits its right to appeal for batting-out-of-order
when all defensive players have left fair territory on their
way to the bench or dugout.
a) When the error is discovered while the incorrect batter
is at bat:
i. the correct batter may legally take their place and
assume the ball and strike count of the incorrect
batter; and
ii. any runs scored, or bases run, while the incorrect
batter is at bat will be legal.
b) When the error is discovered after the incorrect batter
has completed their turn at bat and before a legal or
illegal pitch has been made to another batter:
i. the player who should have batted is out;
ii. any advance or score made as a result of the
improper batter becoming a batter-runner will be
nullied. Any out that is made prior to discovering
this infraction remains out;
iii. the next batter is the player whose name follows
that of the player called out for failing to bat. If the
next player was the incorrect batter, who was called
out, go to the next person in the line-up;
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Effect
iv. if the player who was the improper batter was called
out, their turn at bat shall not take place in the same
inning, unless all other batters in the batting order
have completed their turn at bat. If their turn at bat
occurs before this occurs, go to the next batter;
v. if the batter declared out under these circumstances
is the third out, the correct batter in the next inning
will be the player who would have come to bat had
the player been put out by ordinary play;
vi. if the third out is made on a batter-runner or runner
prior to the discovery of the infraction, an appeal
may still be made in order to reinstate the correct
batting order.
c) if the error is discovered after the rst legal or illegal
pitch to the next batter:
i. the turn at bat of the incorrect batter is legal;
ii. all runs scored and bases run are legal;
iii. the next batter in order will be the one whose name
follows that of the incorrect batter;
iv. no one is called out for failure to bat;
v. players who have not batted and who have not been
called out have lost their turn at bat until reached
again in the regular order.
d) No runner will be removed from the base they are
occupying to bat in their proper place. They merely
miss their turn at bat with no penalty. The batter
following in the batting order becomes the legal batter.
This does not apply to a batter-runner who has been
taken off the base by the Umpire as in b) ii) above.
5.4.2 BATTING REQUIREMENTS
a) A batter must wear an approved helmet.
b) A batter must take their position in the batter’s box within 10
seconds after the Plate Umpire declares “PLAY BALL.”
c) No person may erase the batter’s box lines at any time in the
pre-game meeting or during a game.
d) The batter must have both feet completely within the batter’s
box prior to the start of the pitch. The batter’s feet may touch
the lines, but no part of a foot may be outside the lines prior to
the pitch.
e) After the batter rst enters the batter’s box, they must keep at
least one foot entirely inside the batter’s box between pitches,
unless:
i. after a ball that is hit fair or foul;
ii. a swing or an attempted swing that includes a slap or
checked swing and the momentum of the swing or
attempted swing carries the batter out of the batter’s box;
iii. forced out of the box by a pitch;
iv. when a wild pitch or passed ball occurs;
v. there is an attempted play;
vi. “TIME” is called;
vii. the pitcher leaves the pitcher’s circle, or the catcher leaves
the catcher’s box; or
viii. with a three-ball count, the Plate Umpire calls a “STRIKE”
and the batter thinks the pitch was a ball.
5.4.3 BALLS AND STRIKES
Each legally pitched ball that is not hit by the batter is called a ball
or a strike by the Plate Umpire.
a) A ball is called, and the ball is live unless the ball becomes dead
for any other reason:
i. when a batter does not swing at a pitched ball that does not
enter the strike zone, touches the home plate or touches the
ground before reaching the home plate;
ii. when the catcher fails to return the ball directly to the
pitcher as required; or
b) A ball is called, and the ball is dead:
i. for each illegally pitched ball not hit by the batter;
ii. when the manager elects not to take the result of the play
after the ball has been hit; or
iii. for each excessive warm-up pitch;
iv. when the pitcher fails to pitch the ball within twenty (20)
seconds;
v. when at any time a defensive team member erases the lines
of a batter’s box, a ball will be called on the offensive team
member currently at bat or the next scheduled offensive
team batter. When at any time an offensive team member
erases the lines of a batter’s box, a strike will be called on
the next scheduled offensive team batter or the offensive
team batter currently at bat. A pitch does not have to be
thrown.
c) A strike is called. the ball is live and runners may advance with
liability to be put out:
i. when any part of a pitched ball enters the strike zone before
touching the ground and the batter does not swing, (FP only:
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provided the top of the ball is at or below the sternum or the
bottom of the ball is at or above the bottom of the kneecap);
ii. for each legally pitched ball struck at and missed by the
batter; or
iii. for each foul tip.
d) A strike is called, the ball is dead and runners must return to
their bases without liability to be put out but need not touch
the intervening bases:
i. when a pitched ball hits the batter while the ball is in the
strike zone;
ii. for each pitched ball swung at and missed which touches
any part of the batter;
iii. for each foul ball when the batter has less than two strikes;
iv. when any part of the batter’s person or clothing is hit with a
batted ball while they are in the batter’s box and the count is
less than two strikes;
v. when the batter fails to enter the batter’s box within 10
seconds after the Umpire calls “PLAY BALL.” A pitch does
not have to be thrown;
vi. when an offensive team member deliberately erases the lines
of the batter’s box:
1. if a batter erases the lines, the Umpire will call a strike. A
pitch does not have to be thrown;
2. when the coach or a non-playing team member erases
the lines, a strike will be called on the next scheduled
batter (or their substitute) in the line-up. A pitch does
not have to be thrown;
3. should any person continue to deliberately erase a line
after a rst offense, that person will be ejected from the
game;
vii. when the batter steps out of the batter’s box with both feet
and delays, the game and none of the exceptions apply. A
pitch does not have to be thrown.
5.4.4 THE BATTER IS OUT:
a) and the ball remains live, and runners may advance with
jeopardy to be put out when:
i. the catcher catches a called, swinging or foul tip third strike; or
ii. three strikes are called and rst base is occupied with less
than two out.
b) and the ball is declared dead, and runner must return to the
base that was occupied at the time of the pitch but need not
touch the intervening bases when the batter:
i. swings for a third strike and misses and the ball touches any
part of the batter’s person or not swung at, and the pitched
ball hits the batter while the pitch is in the strike zone;
ii. fails to wear a batting helmet when ordered to do so by the
Umpire;
iii. enters the batter’s box with or is discovered using an altered
bat or an illegal bat. In this case, the bat is removed from the
game. If the bat is altered the batter is ejected from the game;
iv. has their foot completely outside the lines of the batter’s
box and touching the ground, or any part of the foot is
touching home plate when they make contact with the ball;
v. leaves the box to gain a running start but has returned to
the box when they make contact with the ball. If there is no
contact made with the pitched ball, there is no penalty;
vi. steps directly in front of the catcher to the other batter’s box
while the pitcher is taking the signal, or appears to be taking
a signal, from the pitcher’s plate or any time thereafter prior
to the release of the pitch; or
vii. hits a fair ball with a bat a second time over fair territory
unless:
1. they are standing in the batter’s box, and contact is made
while the bat is in their hands. A foul ball is ruled; or
2. they drop the bat and the ball rolls against the bat over
fair territory, and, in the Umpire’s judgment, there was
no intention to interfere with the course of the ball. The
ball should be ruled fair or foul depending on where it
comes to rest or is rst touched by a player.
c) and the ball is declared dead, and a runner must return to the
last base that, in the Umpire’s judgment, was touched at the
time of the interference when the batter:
i. hinders the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by
stepping out of the batter’s box;
ii. intentionally hinders the catcher while standing within the
batter’s box;
iii. interferes with a play at home plate. If in the Umpire’s
judgement the batter’s action constitutes intentional
interference, the runner attempting to score is also out; or
iv. intentionally interferes with a thrown ball while in or out of
the batter’s box.
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5.5 BATTER-RUNNER
5.5.1 THE BATTER BECOMES THE BATTER-RUNNER
a) when they legally hit a fair or foul ball. The ball is live on a fair
ball or on a caught foul y ball. The ball is dead on a grounded
foul ball.
b) under the third strike rule. The ball is live.
c) and must advance to and touch rst base:
i. when four balls are called by the Plate Umpire and the ball is
live; or
ii. when the defensive team elects to intentionally walk a batter
by any one of the pitcher, catcher or head coach notifying
the Plate Umpire and the ball is dead.
1) The notication to the Plate Umpire will be considered
a pitch. The notication can occur at any time prior to
the batter beginning and completing their turn at bat,
regardless of the count.
2) If two batters are to be walked intentionally, the second
intentional walk may not be administered until the rst
batter-runner reaches rst base. If the Plate Umpire
mistakenly allows two walks at one time and the rst
batter fails to touch rst base, no appeal for missing rst
base will be honored on the rst batter.
3) The ball is dead and runners cannot advance unless
forced.
d) when the catcher or any other defensive player obstructs,
hinders or prevents the batter from striking at or hitting a
pitched ball.
e) when a fair untouched batted ball strikes the person, attached
equipment or clothing of the Umpire or a runner.
f) when hit by a pitch. The batter’s hands are not considered a
part of the bat. The ball is dead and the batter is entitled to
rst base without liability to be put out. If no attempt is made
to avoid getting hit, the ball is dead, the Plate Umpire will call a
ball and not award rst base.
g) a home run is declared in the following circumstances when a
fair batted y ball:
i. goes over the fence over fair territory;
ii. goes directly off the elder’s glove or body and over the
fence in fair territory, or makes contact with the top of the
fence and goes over the fence in fair territory;
iii. contacts the foul pole above the fence line; or
iv. is contacted by a elder, who is in dead ball territory and the
ball, in the judgment of the Umpire, would have gone over
the fence in fair territory. It is not a home run if:
1. the fair batted ball passes out of the grounds at a
distance less than those prescribed in Rule 2 Appendix
1.A (Ofcial Dimensions of the Playing Field) and
Appendix 1.F (Quick Reference Table), which should be
marked for the Umpire’s guidance;
2. a fair batted y ball goes off a elder’s glove or body
and over the fence in foul territory;
3. a fair batted ball rst contacts the fence, deects off a
elder and then goes over the fence; or
4. a fair batted ball is contacted by a elder, who is in dead
ball territory and in the judgment of the Umpire, the ball
would not have gone over the fence in fair ball territory.
h) when any person, other than a team member enters into the
playing eld and interferes with:
i. a fair batted ground ball;
ii. a elder about to eld a batted ball or thrown ball;
iii. a elder about to throw a ball; or
iv. a ball thrown by a elder.
EFFECTS
Rule 5.5.1d)
A defensive player prevents the batter from striking at or
hitting a pitched ball.
Effect
1) The Umpire will give a delayed dead ball signal with the
ball remaining live until the end of the play.
2) The manager of the offensive team has the option of
taking the award for the obstruction or taking the
result of the play.
3) If the batter hits the ball and reaches rst base safely,
and if all other runners have advanced at least one
base on the batted ball, the obstruction is canceled.
Once a runner has passed a base, even if they miss
it, they are considered to have reached that base. All
action as a result of the batted ball stands. No option
is given.
4) If the manager does not take the result of the play,
catcher obstruction is enforced by awarding the batter
rst base and advancing all other runners only, if
forced.
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Rule 5.5.1e)
A fair untouched batted ball striking the person, attached
equipment, or clothing of the Umpire or a runner.
Effect
1) After touching a elder (including the pitcher), the ball
is in play.
2) After passing a elder, other than the pitcher and no
other elder had a chance to make an out, the ball is in play.
3) Before passing a elder, excluding the pitcher, without
being touched the ball is dead.
5.5.2 THE BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT
a) The ball remains live and a runner may advance at their own
jeopardy when:
i. the catcher drops the third strike and the batter-runner is
legally touched with the ball while off the base or thrown out
prior to reaching rst base;
ii. a elder legally catches a y ball before it touches the ground
or any other object or person other than a defensive player;
iii. after hitting a fair ball, a batter-runner is tagged while off
base or is thrown out prior to reaching rst base;
iv. they fail to advance to rst base and instead enter their team
area:
1. after a fair ball is hit;
2. after a base on balls is issued; or
3. anytime that they must legally advance to rst base,
unless they are injured and must receive treatment while
the ball is dead;
v. an ineld y is declared;
vi. after they hit a fair ball, they touch only the fair portion of
the double base on their rst attempt at that base and a
play is made at the base. This is an appeal play for missing
the base. The defensive team loses the privilege of putting
the batter-runner out if, after over running the base, the
appeal is not made before the batter-runner returns to the
fair portion of rst base;
vii they run more than one (1) meter (three (3) ft.) from the
base path to avoid being touched by the ball in the hand(s)
of a elder; or
viii when anyone, other than another runner, physically assists
a runner on a y ball, the batter-runner is out if the y ball is
caught.
b) The ball is declared dead, a runner must return to the last base
legally touched at the time of the pitch but need not touch the
intervening bases when the batter-runner:
i. fails to wear an approved helmet when ordered to do so by
the Umpire;
ii. runs outside the one (1) meter (three (3) ft.) line and, in the
Umpire’s judgment, interferes with:
1. the elder taking a throw at rst base; or
2. the thrown ball, preventing a elder from making a play
at rst base. A thrown ball striking a batter-runner does
not necessarily constitute interference;
iii. interferes with a elder attempting to eld a batted ball. A
batter-runner may run outside the one-meter line to avoid a
elder attempting to eld the batted ball;
iv. interferes with a elder attempting to throw a ball;
v. intentionally interferes with a thrown ball;
vi. interferes with a fair-batted ball (out of the batter’s box)
before reaching rst base;
vii. interferes with a dropped third strike;
viii. throws their bat after batting the ball in such a manner as to
cause interference with a elder’s opportunity to make an
out;
ix. when the on-deck batter interferes with a defensive player
attempting to catch a y ball or with a y ball that a elder is
attempting to catch;
x. a member of the team at bat who is not the batter, batter-
runner, runner or on-deck batter interferes with a elder
attempting to catch a batted foul ball over foul territory
or with a batted y ball over foul territory that a elder
is attempting to catch. If, in the Umpire’s judgment, the
interference is an obvious attempt to prevent a double
play, the runner closest to home plate at the time of the
interference will also be called out;
xi. intentionally interferes with a play at home plate to prevent
an obvious out at the plate. If, in the Umpire’s judgment, the
interference is intentional interference with a play at home
plate, the runner is also out;
xii. steps back towards home plate to avoid or delay a tag by a
elder;
xiii. when in a force play situation, they touch only the fair
portion of the double base and collide with a elder who is
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about to catch a thrown ball and who is also using the fair
portion of the base;
xiv. with less than two outs and a runner on rst base, a elder
intentionally drops a fair y ball (including a line drive or
a bunt) that could be caught by an inelder with ordinary
effort, after it is controlled with a hand or glove;
xv. bunts foul after the second strike unless a runner interferes
with a elder attempting to catch a bunted y ball in foul
territory or with a foul y ball a elder is attempting to catch.
The batter-runner will return to bat with an additional strike
on the foul ball if the batter had less than two strike when
they hit the ball. If the bunted ball is caught, the ball remains
live and in play.
c) A runner must return to the last base that, in the Umpire’s
judgment, was touched at the time of the interference and the
ball is dead when:
i. the immediately preceding runner who is not yet out
intentionally interferes, in the Umpire’s judgment, with a
elder attempting to
1. catch a thrown ball; or
2. throw a ball in an attempt to complete the play;
ii. a person other than a team member enters the playing eld
and interferes with:
1. a elder about to catch a y ball; or
2. a y ball that a defensive player, in the judgment of the
Umpire, is able to catch.
EFFECTS
Rule 5.5.2 a) v
An ineld y is declared
Effect
The ball is live and a runner may advance at the risk of
the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the
ball is touched, the same as on any y ball. If a declared
ineld y becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as
any foul ball.
If a declared ineld y is allowed to fall untouched to the
ground and bounces foul before passing rst or third
base, it is a foul ball.
If a declared ineld y falls untouched to the ground
outside the baseline and bounces fair before passing
rst or third base, it is an ineld y.
Rule 5.5.2 b)
ii to xi
Batter-runner causes interference
Effect
EXCEPTION: If a play on a runner is made prior to the
interference and:
1) an out is made on the runner, the result of the play will
stand;
2) no out is made on the runner, the result of that play
will stand unless the interference by the batter-runner
is the third out. Other runners not played on must
return to the base legally held at the time of the
pitch.
Rule 5.5.2 c) i
Immediate preceding runner causes interference
Effect
The runner is also out.
5.6 DOUBLE BASE
The following apply when the double base is used.
a) The batter-runner is subject to the following.
i) A batted ball hitting the fair portion is declared fair and a
batted ball hitting the foul portion only is declared foul.
ii) A defensive player must use only the fair portion of the
base at all times, except on any live ball play made from
rst base foul territory. The batter-runner and the defensive
player may use either portion of the double base. When
the defensive player uses the foul portion of the double
base, the batter-runner can run in fair territory, and if hit
by a throw from the foul side of rst base, it would not be
interference. If intentional interference is ruled, the batter-
runner would be out. The one-meter line is duplicated on
either side of the foul line on throws from foul territory.
iii) If a play is made at rst base on any batted ball or the batter
runs on a dropped third strike the batter-runner touches
only the fair portion and if the defense appeals prior to the
batter-runner returning to the fair portion of rst base, the
batter-runner is out. This is treated the same as missing the
base and is an appeal.
iv) After over-running the base, the batter-runner must return
to the fair portion.
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v) On a ball hit to the outeld when there is no play being
made at the double base, the batter-runner may touch either
portion of the base.
b) The following applies to a runner.
i) After over-running the base, the runner must return to the
fair portion.
ii) When tagging up on a y ball, the fair portion must be used.
iii) On an attempted pick-off play, the runner must return to the
fair portion.
iv) Once a runner returns to the fair portion, should they then
stand on the foul portion only it is considered not in contact
with the base, and the runner will be called out if:
1. they are tagged with the ball; or
2. they stand on the foul portion of the base, while the
pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher’s
circle.
5.7 USING AN ILLEGAL GLOVE OR MITT
When a elder makes a play on a batter-runner or runner while using
an illegal glove, the manager of the offended team has the option of:
a) taking the result of the play;
b) in the case of the batter-runner, having the player resume
batting, assuming the ball and strike count prior to the pitch,
with other runners returned to the last base legally touched at
the time of the pitch; or
c) in the case of a runner, having the play nullied, with runners
returning to the last base legally touched at the time of the
play. If the play was the result of completion of the batter’s
turn at bat, that player resumes batting with the ball and
strike count they had prior to completing their turn at bat and
runners are returned to the bases held at the time of the pitch.
A pitch by the pitcher is not considered making a play.
5.8 REMOVAL OF HELMET
a) When the ball is live, a batter, batter-runner or runner will be
declared out when they deliberately wear a helmet improperly
or deliberately remove the helmet during a live ball play,
other than a home run over the fence. Calling a batter-runner
or runner out for deliberately removing their helmet does
not cancel any force play situation; however, if a helmet is
accidentally dislodged from its proper place on a batter, batter-
runner or runner, there is no penalty.
b) The ball is dead and a runner must return to base last touched
at the time of contact:
i. when a thrown ball or batted ball makes contact with the
deliberately removed helmet or a elder comes into contact
with the deliberately removed helmet while attempting to
make a play; or
ii. when a thrown or batted ball contacts the accidentally
dislodged helmet and this contact interferes with the play
being made; or when a defensive player comes into contact
with the helmet while it is on the ground and this contact
prevents them from making a play and the batter-runner, or
runner who was wearing the helmet that was accidentally
dislodged is out, even if they have scored. The run is nullied.
5.9 TOUCHING BASES IN LEGAL ORDER
a) The batter-runner and any runner must touch the bases in legal
order (i.e., rst, second and third base, and home plate) unless
they are obstructed at a base preventing them from touching
that base or they are placed on second base under the Tie-
Breaker Rule.
b) A runner returning to a base while the ball is live and while in
jeopardy to be put out must return to:
i. the base left before a caught y ball is rst touched; or
ii. the missed base, they must touch the bases in reverse order.
c) When a runner is returning to a base while the ball is dead, they
need not touch the intervening bases unless they have missed a
base, in which case they are subject to a legal appeal if they fail
to retouch the missed base.
d) When a runner or batter-runner acquires the right to a base by
touching it before being put out, they are entitled to hold the
base until they have legally touched the next base in order or
are forced to vacate it for a succeeding runner. The ball is in
play, and runners may advance with jeopardy to be put out.
e) When a runner dislodges a base from its proper position,
neither they nor succeeding runner(s) in the same series of
plays are compelled to follow a base unreasonably out of
position. The ball is in play and runners may advance or return
with jeopardy to be put out.
f) Two runners may not occupy the same base at the same time.
The runner who rst legally occupied the base is entitled to it
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unless forced to advance. The other runner may be put out by
being tagged with the ball.
g) The failure of a preceding runner to touch a base in regular
order or to leave a base legally on a caught y ball and who is
declared out does not affect the status of a succeeding runner
who touches bases in proper order. If the failure to touch a base
in regular order or to legally tag up on a caught y ball is the
third out of an inning, no succeeding runner may score a run.
h) No runner may return to touch a missed base or one left
illegally, after a following runner has scored, or they have left
the eld of play.
i) Bases left too soon on a caught y ball must be retouched
prior to advancing to awarded bases.
j) Awarded bases must be touched in legal order.
EFFECT
Rule 5.9 b) g-j
Touching bases
Effect
The runner will be declared out if the defense makes a
legal appeal for missing a base or leaving a base before
the ball is rst touched on a caught y ball.
5.10 RUNNERS
5.10.1 A RUNNER MAY ADVANCE WITH JEOPARDY TO BE PUT OUT
WHILE THE BALL IS LIVE
a) when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on their delivery;
b) on a thrown or fair batted ball that is not blocked;
c) on a thrown ball that hits an Umpire, an offensive player or a
base coach;
d) when a legally caught y ball is rst touched;
e) when a fair untouched batted ball:
i. strikes an Umpire or runner after passing a elder other than
the pitcher and provided no other elder had a chance to
make an out;
ii. has been touched by a elder, including a pitcher; or
iii. when the ball strikes a photographer, groundskeeper,
policeman, etc., assigned to the game, and the ball remains
live;
f) when a live ball becomes lodged in a defensive player’s uniform
or equipment;
g) when at any time they fail to touch a base they are entitled to
before attempting to make the next base;
h) when, after overrunning rst base, they attempt to continue to
second base;
i) when, after dislodging a base, they attempt to continue to the
next base;
j) when, on an illegal pitch not hit, and that is also a wild pitch or
passed ball, they attempt to advance beyond the one base to
which they are legally entitled;
k) when, advancing beyond an entitled base due to:
i. a elder intentionally contacting a thrown ball with detached
equipment; or
ii. a elder intentionally contacting a fair batted ball with
detached equipment;
l) when advancing beyond a protected base when they have
been obstructed; or
m) When advancing beyond the base to which they are forced
because of a base on balls issued to the batter.
EFFECT
Rule 5.10.1 g & h
Failing to touch a base or continuing to second base
Effect
The runner will be declared out if the defense makes
a legal appeal.
5.10.2 BASES AWARDED TO RUNNER(S) FOR OBSTRUCTION
When an obstruction occurs, including a rundown:
a) a delayed dead ball will be signaled with the ball remaining live
until the end of the play;
b) the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the
obstruction will be awarded the base or bases they would
have reached if, in the Umpire’s judgment, had there been no
obstruction. If the Umpire feels there is justication, a defensive
player making a fake tag may be ejected from the game;
c) if the obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base
they would have reached had there not been obstruction,
a dead ball is called. The obstructed runner and each other
runner affected by the obstruction will be awarded the base, or
bases; they would have reached, in the Umpire’s judgment, had
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obstruction not occurred;
d) an obstructed runner may never be called out between the two
bases where they were obstructed, unless:
i) if the obstructed runner commits an act of interference
after the obstruction is ruled, or the runner is legally
appealed for:
1. missing a base, unless the runner has been obstructed
at that base and the obstruction prevents them from
touching the base;
2. leaving a base before a y ball was rst touched; or
3. after passing the base they would have reached had
there not been obstruction, the obstructed runner may
be called out, and the ball remains live;
ii) if the obstructed runner safely obtains the base they would
have been awarded, in the Umpire’s judgment, and there
is a subsequent play on a different runner, the obstructed
runner is no longer protected between the bases where
the runner was obstructed and may be put out. The ball
remains live. Obstructed runners are still required to touch
all bases in proper order, or they could be called out on a
proper appeal by the defensive team unless the runner was
obstructed from touching that base.
5.10.3 A RUNNER IS OUT
a) A runner is out and the ball remains live when:
i) while running to any base in regular or reverse order, they
run more than one (1) meter (three (3) ft.) from the base
path to avoid being tagged;
ii) the ball is in play, they are not in contact with a base and
they are tagged;
iii) on a force play, and before the runner contacts the base to
which they are forced to advance, a elder while controlling
the ball in their hand(s) contacts the base or touches the
ball to the base or tags the runner. If a forced runner, after
touching the next base, retreats for any reason toward the
base he last occupied, the force play is reinstated;
iv) they fail to return to touch the base previously occupied or
missed and a legal appeal is made;
v) anyone, other than another runner, physically assists a
runner while the ball is in play. When the ball becomes
dead after a home run, uncaught foul ball or an award of
bases the ball remains dead;
vi) they physically pass a preceding runner before that runner
has been called out. The ball remains live. The runner is
not out if the ball becomes a foul ball or an uncaught y
foul ball or if a runner passes a preceding runner on a dead
ball play. The ball remains dead.
vii) they leave their base to advance to another base before a
caught y ball has touched a elder;
viii) they fail to touch the intervening base, or bases, in regular
or reverse order unless they are obstructed from doing so;
ix) the batter-runner becomes a runner by touching rst
base, passes it, then attempts to run to second base and is
tagged, while off base;
x) in running or sliding for home plate, they fail to touch it,
make no attempt to return to it, and a elder controls the
ball while touching the plate and appeals to the Umpire for
a decision;
xi) they abandon a base and enter their team area, or leave the
eld of play, while the ball is live;
xii) they are positioned behind, and not in contact with, a base
to get a running start on any y ball; or
xiii) when runners switch positions on the bases.
b) A runner is out and the ball is dead when:
i) they fail to wear an approved batting helmet when ordered
to do so by the Umpire;
ii) they fail to keep contact with the base to which they are
entitled until a legally pitched ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
A “NO PITCH” is declared and other runners must return to
the last base legally held at the time of the pitch;
iii) they are legitimately off their base after a pitch, or as a
result of a batter completing his turn at bat and, while the
pitcher has the ball within the pitcher’s circle, they do not
immediately return to their base, or attempt to advance to
the next base;
iv) once the runner returns to a base for any reason, they will
be declared out if they leave said base. A runner will not be
declared out if:
1. a play is made on them or another runner (a fake throw
is considered a play);
2. the pitcher no longer has possession of the ball within
the pitcher’s circle; or
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3. the pitcher releases the ball by a pitch to the batter;
v) A base on balls or dropped third strike in which the runner
is entitled to run is treated the same as a batted ball. The
batter-runner may continue past rst base, and is entitled
to run toward second base, as long as they do not stop
at rst base. If they stop after they round rst base, they
must immediately return to rst base or immediately
continue to second base;
vi) the batter or batter-runner is declared out for intentionally
interfering with a play at home plate in an attempt to
prevent an obvious out on an advancing runner at the
plate. The advancing runner is out and the other runners
must return to the last base held at the time of the pitch.
c) A runner is out, the ball is dead and other runners must return
to the last base legally held at the time of the interference,
blocked ball or the out declared, unless forced to advance
because the batter became a batter-runner when:
i) they are struck with an untouched fair batted ball while
off base and, in the Umpire’s judgment, any elder had an
opportunity to make an out;
ii) they intentionally kick a ball that a elder has missed;
iii) they interfere with a elder attempting to eld a fair batted
ball, regardless of whether the ball has been rst touched
by the elder or by another elder, including the pitcher
or interferes with a elder throwing a ball, or intentionally
interferes with a thrown ball;
iv) they interfere with a elder attempting to catch a
batted foul y ball or with a foul y ball that a elder is
attempting to catch. If this interference is, in the Umpire’s
judgment, an obvious attempt to prevent a double play
the immediate succeeding runner will be called out. The
batter-runner returns to bat with an additional strike on
the foul ball, provided the count prior to batting the ball
was less than two strikes. If this interference is the third
out, the batter-runner will return as the lead-off batter
in the next inning, with the original ball and strike count
cancelled;
v) the runner closest to home plate at the time of
interference is called out if after a runner, batter or batter-
runner has been declared out, or after a runner has scored,
the runner, batter or batter-runner interferes with a
defensive player’s opportunity to make a play on another
runner. A runner continuing to run and drawing a throw
will be considered interference;
vi) one or more members of the offensive team stand at, or
collect around, a base to which a runner is advancing,
thereby confusing elders and adding to the difculty of
making the play. Members of a team include the batboy or
any other person authorized to sit on the team’s bench;
vii) the coach near third base runs in the direction of home
plate on or near the baseline, while a elder is attempting
to make a play on a batted or thrown ball, and thereby
draws a throw to home plate. It is the runner who is
closest to home plate who is called out;
viii) a coach, while in or out of the coach’s box or any member
of the team playing offense, who is not a batter, batter-
runner, on-deck batter or runner intentionally interferes
with a thrown ball or interferes with the defensive team’s
opportunity to make a play on a runner or a batter-runner.
The runner closest to home plate at the time of the
interference is called out;
ix) a defensive player has the ball and is waiting for the runner
and the runner remains on their feet and deliberately
crashes into the defensive player. If the act is determined
to be agrant, the offender will be ejected;
x) they run bases in reverse order, or off the base line, while
not attempting to advance, either to confuse the elders
or to make a travesty of the game;
xi) when the on-deck batter interferes with a defensive
player’s attempt to retire a runner, the runner closest to
home plate will be called out;
xii) non-ofcial offensive equipment causes a blocked ball
(and creating interference), and the runner is being played
on. If this player has scored prior to the blocked ball being
ruled, the runner closest to home is called out.
d) when the Plate Umpire, or his clothing, interferes with
the catcher’s attempt to retire a runner stealing, or on an
attempted pickoff play. If, on a passed ball or wild pitch, a
thrown ball from the catcher hits the Umpire, it is not Umpire
interference and the ball remains live.
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EFFECTS
Rule 5.10.3 a)
vii to x
Leave too soon on a y ball, misses a base or tries for
second base or misses home plate
Effect
The runner will not be declared out unless the defense
makes a legal appeal. EXCEPTION: A runner who has
left a base too soon on a caught y ball, or who has
missed a base, may attempt to return to such base while
the ball is dead.
Rule 5.10.3
a) xiii
Switching bases
Effect
This is an appeal play. When the appeal is upheld, each
runner discovered to have switched positions on the
bases will be declared out and the head coach will
be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. The order of
outs will be determined by the location of the runners
immediately after the switch. The runner who switched
bases and is closest to home plate after the switch will
be called out rst. The next runner who switched bases
and is the second closest to home plate will be called
out second and so on. The appeal may be made any
time until all runners, who switched positions are in the
dugout or the inning is over. If one of the runners who
switched bases is on a base, both they and all runners
who had switched bases will be out, even if they had
scored, and any run(s) scored by improper runners will
be nullied.
Rule 5.10.3 c i
through iii
If this interference, in the judgment of the Umpire, is an
obvious attempt to prevent a double play, the immediate
succeeding runner shall also be called out.
Rule 5.10.3 d)
Umpire Interference
Effect
A delayed dead ball should be signaled, with the ball
remaining live until the conclusion of the play.
i. If the runner being played on is ruled out, the out will
stand and the ball is live.
ii. Is ruled safe, the ball is dead, and all runners return to
the last base held at the time of the throw.
5.10.4 THE RUNNER IS NOT OUT
A runner is not out:
a) when they run behind or in front of the elder and outside the
base path, in order to avoid interfering with a elder attempting
to eld the batted ball in the base path;
b) when they do not run in a direct line to the base, provided the
elder in the direct line does not have the ball in his possession;
c) when more than one elder attempts to eld a batted ball and
the runner comes in contact with the one who, in the Umpire’s
judgment, was not entitled to eld the ball;
d) when they are hit with a fair, untouched batted ball while
off base and, in the Umpire’s judgment, no elder had an
opportunity to make an out;
e) when they are hit with a fair, untouched batted ball over foul
territory and, in the Umpire’s judgment, no elder had an
opportunity to make an out;
f) when they are hit with a fair batted ball after it touches, or is
touched by, any elder, including the pitcher, and they could
not avoid contact with the ball;
g) when they are hit by a fair untouched batted ball while in
contact with their base, unless they intentionally interfere with
the ball or a elder making a play. The ball is dead or remains
live, depending on the position of the elder closest to the
base at the time the ball contacts the runner:
1. the ball remains live if the elder closest to the base is
positioned ahead of the base; or
2. the ball is dead if the elder closest to the base is positioned
behind the base.
h) when they are touched while off base:
1. with a ball not securely held by a defensive player; or
2. with a hand or glove of a defensive player and the ball is in
the other hand;
i) when the defensive team does not request the Umpire’s
decision on an appeal play until after the next legal or illegal
pitch, until after all defensive players have left fair territory on
their way to the bench or dugout or in the case of the last play
of the game, before the Umpires have left the eld of play;
j) when a batter-runner becomes a runner, by touching rst base,
passing it and then returning directly to the base;
k) when they are not given sufcient time to return to a base.
They will not be called out for being off base before the pitcher
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releases the ball and they may advance as though having left
the base legally;
l) when they have legally started to advance. They may not be
stopped by the pitcher receiving the ball while on the pitcher’s
plate, nor by the pitcher stepping onto the plate while holding
the ball;
m) when they hold their base until a y ball touches a elder and
then attempt to advance;
n) when they slide into a base and it dislodges from its proper
position. The base is considered to have followed the runner.
A runner reaching a base safely will not be out for being off
that base if it becomes dislodged. They may return to that
base without jeopardy to be put out when the base has been
replaced. A runner is in jeopardy if they attempt to advance
beyond the dislodged base before it is again in proper position;
o) when a coach unintentionally interferes with a thrown ball or
batted ball while in the coach’s box; or
p) when the ball contacts non-ofcial offensive equipment and no
apparent play is obvious.
EFFECTS
Rule 5.10.4 p
Contact with non-ofcial offensive equipment and no
play obvious
Effect
The ball is dead and each runner must return to the base
last touched at the time the ball is declared dead but in
returning need not touch the intervening bases.
5.11 BASE RUNNING EFFECTS (OTHER THAN FOR OBSTRUCTION)
EFFECTS
Effect
Rule or occurrence
a) One Base
Award
i) The batter-runner is awarded rst base, provided they
advance, touch rst base and all other runners advance
one base, if forced, from the time of the pitch, in the
following circumstances:
1) when four balls have been called by the plate Umpire;
the ball is live;
2) when an intentional walk is issued; the ball is dead;
have the batter awarded rst base; the ball is dead;
a) One Base
Award
3) when the batter is obstructed, and the offensive
team takes the option to have the batter awarded
rst base; the ball is dead;
4) when a batted ball is contacted by an Umpire
or runner before passing a elder, excluding the
pitcher; the ball is dead;
5) when a batter is hit by a pitch; the ball is dead.
ii) A runner is awarded one base in the following
circumstances; the ball is dead except in 6 below:
1) when on an illegal pitch, not hit by the batter, or if
hit by the batter, the manager of the offensive team
elects to take the award on the illegal pitch rather
than the result of the play; the ball is dead;
2) when the ball is pitched and subsequently leaves
the playing eld or is lodged in the backstop, the
award is from the time of the pitch;
3) when a elder unintentionally carries a ball out of
the playing eld, the award is from the time the
elder left the eld of play; a elder carrying a live
ball into the dugout or team area to tag a player is
considered to have unintentionally carried it there;
4) when a player loses possession of the ball during a
play and the ball enters the dead ball territory, the
award is from the base last touched at the time the
ball entered the dead ball territory;
5) when defensive equipment causes a blocked ball,
the award is from the base last touched at the time
of the pitch on a pitched ball;
6) when detached equipment contacts a pitched ball.
If a pitched ball eludes the catcher and is retrieved with
detached equipment when runner(s) are not advancing,
no apparent play is possible or there is no advantage. No
runners are awarded a base, the ball remains live and the
batter may only advance to rst base on ball four or under
the third strike rule. They may advance further at their
own risk.
b) Two Base
Award
i) The batter-runner and runner(s) are awarded two bases
from the time of pitch in the following circumstances,
and the ball is dead:
1) when a fair batted ball passes out of the playing
eld at a distance less than the dimensions of a
regulation eld;
2) when a fair batted y ball hits a elder’s glove or
body and lands over the fence in foul territory;
3) when a fair batted y ball touches the fence,
deects off a elder and lands over a fence;
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b) Two Base
Award
4) when a fair batted y ball is touched by a elder
who is in dead ball territory and, in the Umpire’s
judgment, the ball would not have gone over the
fence in fair ball territory;
5) when a fair batted ball bounces over or rolls under
or through a fence or passes the dead ball line of
the playing eld;
6) when a fair batted ball deects off:
a) a defensive player; or
b) a runner or Umpire after passing a elder
excluding the pitcher and provided no other
elder had a chance to make an out, and the
ball goes out of play in foul territory.
ii) When the ball is thrown and leaves the playing eld
or is blocked, the award is from the time the ball left
the elder’s hand. If two runners are between the
same two bases, the award is based on the position
of the lead runner. If a runner touches the next base
and returns to their original base, the original base
they left is considered the “last base touched” for the
purposes of an overthrow award.
iii) When defensive equipment causes a blocked ball, the
award:
1) is from the base last touched at the time of the
throw; or
2) is from the base last touched at the time of the
pitch on a fair batted ball.
iv) When a thrown ball contacts detached equipment,
this is a delayed dead ball. Bases are awarded from
the time of the throw.
v) a runners is only awarded two bases, and the ball
is dead when, in the Umpire’s judgment, a elder
intentionally carries, kicks, pushes or throws a live
ball from playable territory into dead ball territory.
The award is from the time of the carry, kick, push or
throw or from the time the ball is carried into dead
ball territory.
c) Three
Base Award
The batter-runner and runners are awarded three (3)
bases and it is a delayed dead ball when detached
equipment contacts a fair batted ball. Bases are awarded
from the time of the pitch. Runners are protected to
the awarded bases; however, if they proceed beyond the
awarded bases they are in jeopardy.
d) Four Base
Awards
The batter-runner and runners are awarded home plate,
and the ball is dead in the following circumstances:
i) when the Umpire declares a home run; and
ii) when a fair ball is contacted by detached equipment,
and in the Umpire’s judgment, the ball would have
cleared the outeld fence in ight.
e) Umpire
Judgment
Awards
The batter-runner and runners are awarded the base or
bases they would have made in the Umpire’s judgment
had interference not occurred, and the ball is dead:
i) when a person other than a team member interferes
with a live ball or a elder about to eld a ground ball,
thrown ball or y ball. If, in the Umpire’s judgement,
the elder would have elded or caught the ball had
interference not occurred, the batter-runner is out
and a runner must return to the base last touched at
the time of the interference; or
ii) when the ball becomes lodged in Umpire gear or
clothing or offensive player clothing.
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APPENDIX 1:
PLAYING FIELD AND DIAMOND
LAYOUT
A. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE PLAYING FIELD
B. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE DIAMOND LAYOUT
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E. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF HOME PLATE AND PITCHER’S PLATE
F. QUICK REFERENCE TABLE
BACKSTOP AND SIDELINES (DEAD BALL LINE/SIDE FENCE)
Will be set back a minimum of 7.62 m. (25 ft.) to a maximum of 9.14
m. (30 ft.) outside the foul lines. The area between the foul lines
and the backstop and sidelines must be unobstructed.
BASES
Home plate to rst/third bases, 18.29 m. (60 ft.) from the back part
of home plate to the back of the base. Home plate to second base,
25.86 m. (84 ft. 10 1/4 in.) from back point of home plate to the
middle of the base. Bases will be made of canvas or other suitable
material and securely fastened in position.
The double base will be secured in and is part of fair territory,
with the other half of this base (a different solid contrasting color)
secured in and is part of foul territory.
BATTER’S BOXES
One on each side of home plate will measure 0.91 m. (3 ft.) by 2.13
m. (7 ft.). The inside lines of the batter’s box will be 15.2 cm. (6 in.)
from home plate. The front line of the box will be 1.22 m. (4 ft.) in
front of a line drawn through the center of home plate. The lines are
considered as being within the batter’s box.
C. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE BASES
D. OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE BATTER’S AND CATCHER’S BOXES
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CATCHER’S BOX
3.05 m. (10 ft.) in length from the rear outside corners of each
batter’s box and will be 2.57 m. (8 ft. 5 in.) wide. The lines are
considered as being within the catcher’s box.
COACH’S BOXES
Behind a line 4.57 m. (15 ft.) long drawn outside the diamond.
The line is parallel to and 3.66 m. (12 ft.) from the rst and third
baselines, extended from the bases toward home plate.
DISTANCE TABLE
CATEGORY PITCHING
OUTFIELD FENCES
(minimums)
Junior Women’s 16 and under
12.19 m. (40 ft.) 67.06 m. (220 ft.)
Junior Women’s 19 and under
13.11 m. (43 ft.) 67.06 m. (220 ft.)
Women’s
13.11 m. (43 ft.) 67.06 m. (220 ft.)
Junior Men’s 16 and under
14.02 m. (46 ft.) 76.20 m. (250 ft.)
Junior Men’s 19 and under
14.02 m. (46 ft.) 76.20 m. (250 ft.)
Men’s
14.02 m. (46 ft.) 76.20 m. (250 ft.)
HOME PLATE
It will be a ve-sided gure 43.2 cm. (17 in.) wide, across the edge
facing the pitcher. The sides will be parallel to the inside lines of the
batter’s box and will be 21.6 cm. (8 1/2 in.) long. The sides of the
point facing the catcher will be 30.5c m. (12 in.) long.
INFIELD
Skinned portion 18.29 m. (60 ft.) arc from the front center of the
pitcher’s plate.
LINES
50 mm. to 100 mm. (2 to 4 in.) wide.
ON-DECK CIRCLE
1.52 m. (5 ft.) circle 0.76 m. (2 ft. 6 in.) radius placed adjacent to the
end of the players’ bench or dugout area closest to home plate.
ONE METER LINE
Drawn parallel to and one (1) m. (3 ft.) from the baseline, starting at
a point halfway between home plate and rst base.
PITCHER’S CIRCLE
4.88 m. (16 ft.) circle drawn from center of the front edge of the
pitcher’s plate 2.44 m. (8 ft.) in radius. The lines are considered
within the circle.
PITCHER’S PLATE
Made of rubber 61 cm. (24 in.) long and 15.2 cm. (6 in.) wide and the
top of the plate must be level with the ground.
WARNING TRACK
Will be a minimum of 3.66 m. (12 ft.) to a maximum of 4.57 m. (15
ft.) from the outeld and/or side fences. Made of material (dirt,
gravel) that is level with, but different from, the playing surface.
The material must be distinguishable from the outeld surface,
and there must be a clear physical signal for players when they are
approaching the fence.
G. LAYING OUT A DIAMOND
This section serves as an example for laying out of a diamond with
18.29 m. (60 ft.) and a 14.02 m. (46 ft.) pitching distance.
1. To determine the position of home plate, draw a line in the
direction it is desired to lay the diamond. Drive a stake at the
corner of home plate nearest the catcher. Fasten a cord to this
stake and tie knots or otherwise mark the cord at 14.02 m. (46
ft.), 18.29 m. (60 ft.), 25.86 m. (84 ft. 10 1/4 in.) and at 36.58 m.
(120 ft.).
2. Place the cord (without stretching) along the direction line and
place a stake at the 14.02 m. (46 ft.) marker. This will be the
front line in the middle of the pitcher’s plate. Along the same
line, drive a stake at the 25.86 m. (84 ft. 10 1/4 in.) marker. This
will be the center of second base.
3. Place the 36.58 m. (120 ft.) marker at the center of second base
and, taking hold of the cord at the 18.29 m. (60 ft.) marker, walk
to the right of the direction line until the cord is taut and drive
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a stake at the 18.29 m. (60 ft.) marker. This will be the outside
corner of rst base and the cord will now form the lines to rst
and second bases.
4. Again holding the cord at the 18.29 m. (60 ft.) marker, walk
across the eld and in like manner, mark the outside corner of
third base. Home plate, rst base, and third base are wholly
inside the diamond.
5. To check the diamond, place the home plate end of the cord
at the rst base stake and the 36.58 m. (120 ft.) marker at third
base. The 18.29 m. (60 ft.) marker should now check at home
plate and second base.
6. Check all distances with a steel tape whenever possible.
APPENDIX 2:
BAT SPECIFICATIONS
A. OFFICIAL BAT
1. The bat must be of one-piece construction, multi-piece
permanently assembled or two-piece interchangeable
constructions.
2. When the bat is designed with interchangeable components it
must meet the following criteria:
a) the mating components must have a unique locking key to
prevent uncertied equipment combinations in the eld; and
b) all component combinations must meet the same standards
as when it was a one-piece bat when combined or a portion
of a one-piece bat when separated.
3. A bat may be made of one piece of hardwood or formed from
a block of wood consisting of two or more pieces of wood
bonded together with an adhesive in such a way that the grain
direction of all pieces is parallel to the length of the bat.
4. A bat may be metal, bamboo, plastic, graphite, carbon,
magnesium, berglass, ceramic or any other composite material
approved by the WBSC Equipment Standards Commission.
5. A bat may be laminated but must contain only wood or
adhesive and have a clear nish (when nished).
6. The barrel portion of the bat (from the start of the taper to
the end cap) must be round and smooth with slight texturing
allowed.
7. No bat must be more than 86.4 cm. (34 in.) long or greater
than 1077.0 g. (38 ounces) in weight.
8. No bat must be more than 5.7 cm. (2 ¼ in.) in diameter at its
largest part. A tolerance of 0.80 mm (1/32 in.) is permitted to
allow for expansion.
9. A bat must that has any exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp
edges or any exterior fastener that would be or present a
hazard is an illegal bat. A bat must be free of burrs and cracks.
10. A non-wooden bat must not have a wooden handle.
11. A bat must have a safety grip of cork, tape (no smooth, plastic
tape) or composition material. The safety grip must not be
less than 25.4 cm. (10 in.) long and must not extend more than
38.1 cm. (15 in.) from the small end of the bat. Resin, pine tar or
spray substances placed to enhance the grip are permissible
only on the grip. Tape applied to any bat must be a continuous
spiral. It does not have to be a solid layer of tape. It must not
exceed two layers.
12. A bat that is non-wooden and not made of one-piece
construction with the barrel end closed must have a rubber,
vinyl plastic or other material insert approved by the WBSC
Equipment Standards Commission and be rmly secured at the
large end of the bat.
a) The insert of the bat end cap must be rmly and
permanently sealed so that it cannot be removed by
anyone other than the manufacturer without damaging or
destroying the end cap or barrel.
b) The bat must be free of rattles. A bat that is not free of
rattles will be considered an illegal bat.
c) The bat must not have signs of tampering. A bat that shows
signs of tampering will be considered an altered bat.
13. A bat must have a safety knob of a minimum diameter of 0.6
cm. (1/4 in.) protruding at a ninety-degree angle from the
handle and no sharp edges. The safety knob may be molded,
lathed, welded and permanently fastened. The knob may be
covered with grip tape or a grip enhancer.
14. When the bat approval notice cannot be read due to wear on
the bat, the bat remains an ofcial bat and may be used if it
remains in compliance with these Rules in all other respects as
determined by an Umpire with reasonable certainty.
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15. The weight, distribution of weight or length of the bat must be
permanently xed at the time of manufacture and may not be
altered in any way thereafter, except as otherwise specically
provided in this Rule or a specication approved by the WBSC
Equipment Standards Commission.
B. THE WARM-UP BAT
A bat other than an ofcial bat that must be of one-piece
construction and comply with the safety grip and safety knob
requirements of an ofcial bat. It must be marked “warm-up” in 3.2
cm. (1 1/4 in.) letters on the barrel end. The barrel end must be in
excess of 5.7 cm. (2 1/4 in.).
APPENDIX 3:
BALL STANDARDS
A. AN OFFICIAL SOFTBALL
An ofcial softball:
1. must be a regular, smooth-seamed, concealed stitched or at
surfaced ball;
2. must have a center core made of either No. 1 quality long ber
kapok, a mixture of cork and rubber, a polyurethane mixture or
other materials approved by the WBSC Equipment Standards
Commission;
3. may be hand or machine wound with a ne quality twisted yarn
and covered with latex or rubber cement;
4. must have its cover cemented by application of cement to the
underside of the cover and sewn with waxed thread of cotton or
linen, or a molded cover bonded to the core or molded integrally
with the core, and have authentic facsimile of stitching, as
approved by the WBSC Equipment Standards Commission; and
5. must have a cover of the nest quality No. 1 chrome tanned
horsehide or cowhide, made of synthetic material, or made of
other materials approved by the WBSC Equipment Standards
Commission.
B. DIMENSIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
1. The completed 30.5 cm. (12 in.) ball will be between 30.2 cm.
(11 7/8 in.) and 30.8 cm. (12 1/8 in.) in circumference and weigh
between 178.0 g. (6 1/4 ounces) and 198.4 g. (7 ounces). The
at seam style will have not less than 88 stitches on each cover,
sewn by the two-needle method.
2. The completed ball will have a coefcient of restitution and
compression standard as determined and set by the WBSC
Equipment Standards Commission.
3. The COR means the Coefcient of Restitution of a softball
when measured with the ASTM (American Society for Testing
and Materials) test method for measuring the Coefcient of
Restitution of softballs.
4. The white cover, white or red stitch or yellow optic cover, red-
stitch 30.5 cm. (12 in.) ball with a COR of .47 or under will be
used in the following WBSC SD championship play: Men’s and
Women’s; Junior Men’s and Junior Women’s. The balls will have
a WBSC logo marking.
5. On balls used in WBSC Championship Play, the load force
required to compress the ball 0.64 cm. (0.25 in.) must not
exceed 170.1 kg (375 pounds) when such balls are measured
in accordance with the ASTM test method for measuring
compression-displacement of softballs, which is endorsed by
the WBSC Equipment Standards Commission.
Listed below are the standards established for each ball:
SOFTBALL
30.5 cm. (12”)
BALL COLOR MARKING
White or Yellow Optic WBSC SD LOGO
THREAD COLOR
White or Red stitch
MIN. SIZE
30.2 cm. (11-7/8”)
MAX. SIZE
30.8 cm. (12-1/8”)
MIN. WT.
178.0 g. (6 1/4 oz.)
MAX. WT.
198.4 g. (7 oz.)
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APPENDIX 4:
GLOVE SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSION SPECIFICATIONS:
A
Palm width (top) 20.3 cm. (8 in.)
B
Palm width (bottom) 21.6 cm. (8 1/2 in.)
C
Top opening of web 12.7 cm. (5 in.)
D
Bottom opening of web 11.5 cm. (4 1/2 in.)
E
Web top to bottom 18.4 cm. (7 1/4 in.)
F
1st nger crotch seam 19.0 cm. (7 1/2 in.)
G
Thumb crotch seam 19.0 cm. (7 1/2 in.)
H
Crotch seam 44.5 cm. (17 1/2 in.)
I
Thumb top to bottom edge 23.5 cm. (9 1/4 in.)
J
1st nger top to bottom edge 35.6 cm. (14 in.
K
2nd nger top to bottom edge 33.7 cm. (13 1/4 in.)
L
3rd nger top to bottom edge 31.1 cm. (12 1/4 in.)
M
4th nger top to bottom edge 27.9 cm. (11 in.)
APPENDIX 5:
UMPIRES
A. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR UMPIRES
a. The Umpire must not be a member of either team. Examples
are player, coach, manager, ofcer, scorer or sponsor.
b. The Umpire should be sure of the date, time and place for the
game and should arrive at the playing eld 20-30 minutes
ahead of time, start the game on time and leave the eld when
the game is over.
c. Male and female Umpire must wear the following:
1. A powder blue long or short-sleeved shirt.
2. Dark navy blue socks.
3. Dark navy blue slacks.
4. Dark navy blue cap with white and blue trimmed WBSC
letters on the front.
5. Dark navy blue ball bag (Plate Umpire only).
6. Dark navy blue jacket and/or sweater.
7. Black shoes and belt.
8. A white T-shirt worn under the powder blue shirt.
d. Umpires must not wear exposed jewelry that may pose a
hazard. EXCEPTION: Medical Alert Bracelets and/or necklaces.
e. The Plate Umpire in fast pitch must wear a black face mask
with either black or tan padding and a black throat protector
and a body protector and shin guards with knee protection.
An extended wire protector may be worn instead of a throat
protector on the mask.
f. The Umpires should introduce themselves to the captains,
managers, coaches and scorers.
g. The Umpires should inspect the playing eld boundaries,
equipment and clarify all ground rules to both teams and their
coaches.
h. Each Umpire has the power to make decisions on violations
committed any time during playing time or during suspension
of play until the game is over.
i. No Umpire has the authority to set aside or question decisions
made by another Umpire within the limits of their respective
duties as outlined in these Rules.
C
D
E
F
J
A
B
K
L
M
I
G
H
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j. An Umpire may consult his associate(s) at any time. However,
the nal decision will rest with the Umpire whose exclusive
authority it was to make the decision and who requested the
opinion of the other(s).
k. In order to dene their respective duties, the Umpire judging
balls and strikes will be designated as the ‘”Plate Umpire” and
the Umpire(s) judging base decisions as the “Base Umpire(s).”
l. The Plate Umpire or Base Umpire will have equal authority to:
1. call a runner out for leaving a base too soon;
2. call ‘’TIME” for suspension of play;
3. remove, or eject, a player, coach or manager from the game
for violation of rules;
4. call all illegal pitches;
5. determine and call an ineld y. When it seems apparent
that a batted ball will be an ineld y, the Umpire will
immediately declare, “INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR THE BATTER IS
OUT” for the benet of the runners.
m. The Umpire will declare a batter, batter-runner or runner out
without waiting for an appeal for such decision in all cases
where such player is retired in accordance with these Rules.
n. Unless appealed to, the Umpire does not call a player out
or penalize them for having failed to touch base, leaving
a base too soon on a caught y ball, batting out of order,
being an unreported substitute, being an Illegal Re-Entry, the
replacement player or returning withdrawn player who is not
reported, being a runner who switched positions on bases with
another runner or making an attempt to go to second base
after reaching rst base, as provided in these rules.
o. An Umpire will not penalize a team for an infraction of a Rule
when imposing the penalty would be to the advantage of the
offending team.
p. The failure of an Umpire to adhere to Appendix 5 is not
grounds for protest. These are guidelines for Umpires
B. SIGNALS
a. To indicate that play will begin or be resumed, the Umpire shall
call “PLAY BALL” and, at the same time, motion the pitcher to
deliver the ball.
b. A STRIKE will be indicated by raising the right hand upward
above the shoulder, to a 90-degree angle and, at the same
time, calling “STRIKE” in a clear and decisive voice.
c. To indicate a BALL, no arm signal is used.
d. To indicate the total COUNT of balls and strikes, the balls are
called rst.
e. To indicate a FOUL, the Umpire will call “FOUL BALL” and
extend both arms vertically above the head.
f. To indicate a FAIR BALL, the Umpire will extend an arm toward
the center of the diamond, using a pumping motion.
g. To indicate a batter or runner OUT, the Umpire will raise the
right hand upward above the right shoulder, with st closed.
h. To indicate that a player is SAFE, the Umpire will extend both
arms horizontally to the side of the body, with palms toward
the ground.
i. To indicate suspension of play, the Umpire will call “TIME” and,
at the same time, extend both arms above the head. The other
Umpires shall immediately acknowledge the suspension of play,
with similar action.
j. To indicate a DELAYED DEAD BALL, the Umpire will extend the
left arm horizontally, with st closed.
k. To indicate a TRAPPED BALL, the Umpire will extend both
arms horizontally to the side of the body, with palms toward
the ground.
l. To indicate a GROUND RULE DOUBLE, the Umpire will extend
the right hand above the head and, at the same time, indicate
with two ngers, the number of bases awarded.
m. To indicate a HOME RUN, the Umpire will extend the right
hand, with a closed st above the head and circle the arm in a
clockwise movement.
n. To indicate an INFIELD FLY, the Umpire will call “INFIELD FLY,
IF FAIR THE BATTER IS OUT.” The Umpire will extend one arm
above the head.
o. To indicate NOT TO PITCH, the Umpire should raise one hand,
with the palm facing the pitcher. “NO PITCH” will be declared
if the pitcher pitches while the Umpire has their hand in said
position.
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APPENDIX 6:
SCORING
A. THE BOX SCORE
a) Each player’s name and the position, or positions to be played,
must be listed in the order in which they batted, or would
have batted, unless the player is legally substituted, ejected,
removed from the game or the game ends before their turn at
bat. Any statistics accrued by the Replacement Player while
they are in the game are credited to that player, even if they are
a listed substitute who does not eventually enter the game as
a substitution for another player. Any statistics accrued by a
temporary runner will accrue to the player for whom they are
running.
1. The DP is optional, but if one is used it must be made known
prior to the start of the game and be listed on the line-up
card in the regular batting order. Ten (10) names will be
listed, with the tenth (10) name being the FLEX for whom
the DP is batting.
Each player’s batting and elding record must be tabulated.
2. The rst column will show the number of times at bat by
each player, but a time at bat will not be charged against the
player when that player:
a) hits a sacrice y that scores a runner;
b) is awarded a base on balls;
c) is awarded rst base because of obstruction;
d) hits a sacrice bunt; or
e) is hit by a pitched ball.
3. The second column will show the number of runs by each
player.
4. The third column will show the number of base hits made
by each player. A base hit is a batted ball that permits the
batter to reach the base safely.
a) When a batter-runner reaches rst base, or any
succeeding base, safely on a fair ball that settles on
the ground, clears the fence or strikes the fence before
being touched by a elder.
b) When a batter-runner reaches rst base safely on a fair
ball which is hit with such force, or such slowness, or
which takes an unnatural bounce, making it impossible
to eld with ordinary effort in time to retire the batter-
runner.
c) When a fair ball, which has not been touched by a
elder, becomes a dead ball because of touching the
person, or clothing, of a runner or Umpire.
d) When the elder unsuccessfully attempts to retire a
preceding runner and, in the scorer’s judgment, the
batter-runner would not have been retired at rst base
by perfect elding.
e) When the batter ends the game with a base hit that
drives in a sufcient number of runs to give his team the
lead, the batter will be credited with only as many bases
as were advanced by the runner scoring the winning run,
provided the batter runs a similar number of bases.
EXCEPTION: When the batter ends the game with an
out of the park home run, they will be credited with a
home run and all runners, including themselves, will be
allowed to score.
5. The fourth column will show the number of opponents put
out by each player.
a) A putout is credited to a elder each time they:
1) catch a y ball or line drive;
2) catch a thrown ball that retires a batter or runner;
3) touch a runner with the ball when the runner is off
the base to which they are entitled;
4) is nearest the ball when a runner is declared out
for being struck by a fair ball or interfering with the
elder;
5) is nearest the unreported substitute, who is declared
out in accordance with Rule 3.2.8 Effect d iii; or
6) is nearest a runner, who is called out for running out
of the base path.
b) A putout is credited to the catcher when:
1) a third strike is called;
2) the batter fails to bat in correct order;
3) the batter interferes with the catcher;
4) the batter is called out, for batting illegally;
5) the batter is called out, for an attempted bunt on
the third strike;
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6) the batter is declared out, for using an illegal or
altered bat; or
7) the batter is called out for changing batter’s box.
6. The fth column will show the number of assists made by
each player. An assist shall be credited as follows.
a) To each player who handles the ball in any series of
plays which results in the putout of the runner. Only
one assist and no more shall be given to any player who
handles the ball in any putout. A player, who has aided
in a rundown or other play of the kind, may be credited
with both an assist and a putout.
b) To each player who handles, or throws, the ball in such a
manner that a putout would have resulted, except for an
error of a teammate.
c) To each player who, by deecting a batted ball, aids in a
putout.
d) To each player who handles the ball in a play which
results in a runner being called out for interference, or
for running out of base line.
7. The sixth column will show the number of errors made by
each player. An error is recorded in the following situations.
a) For each player who commits a misplay which prolongs
the turn at bat of the batter, or life of the present runner.
b) For the elder, who fails to touch the base after
receiving the ball to retire the runner on a force-out, or
when a runner is compelled to return to base.
c) For the catcher, if a batter is awarded rst base for
obstruction.
d) For the elder, who fails to complete a double play
because of dropping the ball.
e) For the elder, if a runner advances a base, because
of their failure to stop, or try to stop, a ball accurately
thrown to a base, providing there was occasion for the
throw. When more than one player could receive the
throw, the scorer must determine which player gets the
error.
B. BASE HITS SHALL NOT BE RECORDED
A base hit will not be scored in the following cases.
a. When a runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have
been forced out, except for a elding error.
b. When a player elding a batted ball retires a preceding runner
with ordinary effort.
c. When a elder fails in an attempt to retire a preceding runner
and, in the scorer’s judgment, the batter-runner could have
been retired at rst base.
d. When a batter-runner reaches rst base safely, as a result of a
preceding runner being called out for interfering with a batted
ball, or a defensive player.
EXCEPTION: If, in the judgment of the scorer, the batter would have
reached rst base safely had the interference not occurred, a
safe hit will be credited to the batter.
C. SACRIFICE FLY BALLS
A sacrice y is scored when, with less than two outs:
a) the batter scores a runner with a y ball which is caught; or
b) the ball, or the line drive, handled by an outelder (or an
inelder running in the outeld) is dropped, and a runner scores
and, in the scorer’s judgment, the runner could have scored
after the catch, had the y ball been caught.
D. RUNS BATTED IN
A run batted in is a run scored because of one of the following
reasons.
a) A safe hit.
b) A sacrice bunt or slap hit (FP ONLY), or sacrice y (FP and SP).
c) A foul y caught.
d) An ineld putout, or elder’s choice.
e) A runner forced home because of obstruction, the batter being
hit by a pitched ball, or being given a base on balls.
f) A homerun and all runs scored as a result.
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E. PITCHER CREDITED WITH A WIN
A pitcher will be credited with a win in the following situations.
a) When they are the starting pitcher, and has pitched at least four
innings, and their team was not only in the lead when they are
replaced but remains in the lead for the remainder of the game.
b) When a game is ended after ve innings of play, and the starting
pitcher has pitched at least three innings, and their team scores
more runs than the other team when the game is terminated.
F. PITCHER CHARGED WITH A LOSS
A pitcher will be charged with a loss, regardless of the number of
innings they have pitched, if they are replaced when their team is
behind in the score and their team thereafter fails to tie the score,
or gain the lead.
G. GAME SUMMARY
The summary will list the following items in this order.
a) The score by innings and the nal score.
b) The runs batted-in and by whom hit.
c) Two-base hits and by whom hit.
d) Three-base hits and by whom hit.
e) Home runs and by whom hit.
f) Sacrice ies and by whom hit.
g) Double plays and players participating in them.
h) Triple plays and players participating in them.
i) Number of walks given by each pitcher.
j) Number of batters struck out by each pitcher.
k) Number of hits and runs allowed by each pitcher.
l) The name of the winning pitcher.
m) The name of the losing pitcher.
n) The time of the game.
o) The names of the Umpires and scorers.
p) Stolen bases and by whom.
q) Sacrice bunts.
r) The names of batters hit by a pitched ball and the pitcher who
hit them.
s) The number of wild pitches made by each pitcher.
t) The number of passed balls made by each catcher.
H. STOLEN BASES
Stolen bases are credited to a runner whenever they advance one
base unaided by a hit, a putout, an error, a force-out, a elder’s
choice, a passed ball, a wild pitch or an illegal pitch.
I. RECORDS OF FORFEITED GAMES
All records of a forfeited game will be included in the ofcial
records, except that of a pitcher’s won-lost record.
APPENDIX 7:
2022-2025 RULE CHANGES
APPROVED BY THE RULES COMMISSION, OCTOBER 11, 2021
1.2.4 c)
If an incorrect runner is placed on second base, they shall be called
out if a proper appeal is made by the defensive team after a pitch
(legal or illegal) or play and is upheld. A proper appeal may be
made at any time the incorrect runner is on base. If the offensive
team places the correct runner on base before a proper appeal is
made, there is no penalty.
1.2.6 a) iv)
at any time an incorrect runner is on base in a tiebreaker Inning or
as a temporary runner for the catcher or pitcher of record.
1.2.6 e x)
the use of an incorrect runner on second base in a tiebreaker inning
or as a temporary runner for the catcher or pitcher of record.
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2.1.5
COACHES’ BOX: The area in foul territory on the rst base and
third base side of the playing eld in which the offensive coaches
must position themselves (see Appendix 1-F for dimensions).
2.1.10
MITT: A mitt consists of a solid piece for nger placement,
no nger slots and a deeper pocket than a glove. A glove has
separated nger slots on the outside and back (see Appendix 4
Glove Specications).
2.1.13
ON-DECK CIRCLE: The area to which the on-deck batter is
restricted while waiting their turn at bat (see Appendix 1- F for
location and dimensions).
2.5.1 a) ii)
Caps, visors and headbands are optional for female players, and
players are free to choose which of these they wish to wear. Each
must be of the same color and style of the team uniform colors.
Plastic or hard visors are not allowed.
2.5.1 b) ii)
A player may wear one or two warming sleeves (compression
sleeves) provided that each is the same one solid color that is a
team uniform color and that the color matches all other undershirts
worn by any player on that team.
2.4-2.6
Effects (all)
Rule 2.4.2
Rule 2.4.3 a)
Rule 2.4.3 (c-d)
2.5.1
2.6
Wearing Improper Shoes
Failure of a catcher to wear a helmet, mask or throat
protector
Failure to wear mandatory equipment
Improper uniform or improper wearing of a uniform by
a player
Improper dress by a coach
Effect
After a warning from the umpire and a failure to
comply or a repetition of the violation, the violator shall
be ejected from the game.
3.1.6
FLEX PLAYER (FLEX)
3.1.8
ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY: An illegal re-entry occurs when:
a) a starting player returns to the game in a different batting
position in the line-up;
b) a substitute re-enters the game, not as a replacement player;
c) a starting player re-enters the game a second time, not as a
replacement player;
d) an ineligible replacement player enters the game; or
e) the FLEX enters the game on offense for a player other than
the DP.
3.1.9
UNREPORTED SUBSTITUTION: An unreported substitution occurs
when a player enters the game without being reported to the
responsible umpire as:
a) a substitute;
b) a player eligible to enter, return to or stay in the game under
the provisions of the replacement player rule;
c) a declared ineligible player;
d) an illegal re-entry.
3.1.12
An ineligible replacement player entering the game is considered
an illegal re-entry. Inserted into 3.1.11
3.1.19
ROSTER: The list of all players eligible to be entered on a team’s
line-up card.
3.1.22
TEMPORARY RUNNER added as 3.1.23: A player who may run for
the catcher or pitcher of record who is on base with two outs.
3.2.3 e)
All starting players, including the DP and the FLEX, may be
substituted or re-enter the line-up once and must remain in the
same batting position whenever they are in the line-up. A violation
of this rule is considered an illegal re-entry.
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3.2.4 a)
A DP may bat for any defensive player who is designated as the
FLEX.
3.2.4 b) iv)
A team’s line-up may revert to 10 players by a player:
a) entering a substitute into the FLEX position; or
b) re-entering the original starting FLEX, but only once.
3.2.5 c) ii)i
A team’s line-up may revert to 10 players by a player:
a) entering a substitute into the DP position; or
b) re-entering the original starting DP player, but only once.
3.2.5 d)
A FLEX that enters the game on offense for a player other than the
DP is considered an illegal re-entry.
3.2.6 d)
A team representative must notify the Plate Umpire of all line-up
card changes. A proper appeal of the failure to do so that is upheld
shall result in that player being declared an unreported substitution.
3.2.7 TEMPORARY RUNNER
A temporary runner is legal for a catcher or pitcher of record who
is listed in the starting line-up in the top of the rst inning or is the
catcher or pitcher of record from the previous half inning who is on
base with two (2) outs. The following provisions apply:
a) the use of the temporary runner is optional for the offensive
team;
b) the temporary runner may be used any time after the second out
occurs; and
c) the temporary runner is the player scheduled to bat last who is
not on base at the time the option is taken.
If an incorrect runner is used as a temporary runner, the runner
shall be called out if a proper appeal made by the defensive team
after a pitch or play is made and the appeal is upheld. A proper
appeal may be made at any time the incorrect runner is on base.
If the offense places the correct runner on base before a proper
appeal is made, there is no penalty.
3.2.8 a)
A substitute named on the line-up card may take the place of any
player in line-up. Multiple substitutions may be made for a player
that is listed in the starting line-up, but no substitute may return to
the game after being substituted (removed from the game), except
as a replacement player. A substitute who re-enters the game as a
player is an illegal re-entry.
3.2.8 h)
An ineligible player may not return to the game as a player.
3.1 and 3.2
Effects
Rule 3.2.2 a,
3.2.3 c and
3.2.6 c
Failure to complete a game with the required number of
players.
Effect The game is forfeited to the non-offending team.
Rule 3.1.10 a-b,
3.2.4 b ii, 3.2.5
c ii, 3.2.6 d
and 3.2.8 a-e
Unreported Substitution of:
a) A substitute;
b) A player under the Replacement player rule
Effect
a) An unreported substitute may be appealed.
b) The appeal must be brought to the attention of the
responsible Umpire while the unreported substitute is
in the game.
c) Once a pitch has been thrown or a play has been made
and the unreported substitute has been discovered, the
player is declared an ineligible player.
d) A legal substitute must replace the ineligible player. If
the team in violation does not have a legal substitute,
the game is forfeited in favor of the non-offending team.
e) If the unreported substitute is properly appealed while
at bat, a legal substitute will assume the ball and strike
count.
i. All play completed prior to the discovery and
succesful appeal of an unreported substitute is legal;
however, if the unreported substitute bats, reaches
base or scores and is then discovered and a proper
appeal is made and upheld before a pitch is thrown
to the next batter, or at the end of the game and
before the umpires leave the eld, all runners will
return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch
and the unreported substitute is called out.
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Effect
ii. Every out made while an unreported substitute is in
the game will stand.
f) If an unreported substitute is discovered on defense
and after making a play or if the player is a pitcher and
a pitch has been thrown and a proper appeal is made
and upheld, the offensive team has the option of 1)
taking the result of the play or 2) having the batter
return to bat and assume the batter’s ball and strike
count prior to the discovery and successful appeal of
the unreported substitute. Each runner would return
to the base occupied prior to the play or pitch.
g) After an upheld appeal for an unreported substitute
or an illegal re-entry, the original player or their
substitute is considered to have left the game.
h) A substitute that is an illegal re-entry shall be subject
to the penalty for the violation involved.
i) A substitute that is a declared Ineligible Player will
receive the penalty for that violation.
Rule 3.1.9,
3.1.12 3.2.3 e,
3.2.5 d, and
3.2.8
Illegal re-entry
Effect
1. This is subject to appeal, which can be made anytime
while the illegal re-entered player is in the game and does
not have to be made before the next pitch.
a) The head coach named on the line-up card and the
illegal re-entered player are ejected.
b) A legal substitute must replace the ejected illegal re-
entered player before the game can continue.
c) A new head coach must be named.
d) If the illegal re-entry is also an unreported substitute,
both effects must be applied.
e) If an illegal re-entry is not appealed and if this results
in both the illegal re-entry and the original player
remaining in the game with the result that a number
of consecutive players in the batting order to become
illegal re-entries:
i. only the most recent illegal re-entry may be
appealed; This player and the head coach named
shall be ejected;
ii. the Effects for an illegal substitution also apply;
iii. a legal substitute must be entered into the game for
the ejected player and a new head coach named;
iv. all other illegal re-entries who are not the direct
subject of the appeal must return to their original
position in the batting order without being
considered an illegal re-entry and all plays stand,
except as noted.
Effect
Should the FLEX enter on offense for a player other than
the DP, is one of two or more Illegal Re-entries and is on
base at the time of the appeal, even though the FLEX is
not the direct subject of the appeal, the FLEX shall be
removed from the base and returned to the 10th position
on the line-up card. This is not an additional out. The
Flex who is removed from a base is not replaced by
another runner.
Rule 3.1.10 c
and 3.1.11
Ineligible Player returning to the game
Effect
When a declared Ineligible player returns to the game, a
forfeit is declared in favor of the non-offending team.
3.3 a)
An appeal must be made by a manager, coach or player before an
umpire may consider and make a decision on:
i) an unreported substitution;
ii) an illegal re-entry; or
iii) an ineligible player.
3.4.3. c)
While in a coaches’ box, a base coach may hold a non-electronic,
non-reective scorebook, pen or pencil and an indicator, all of which
must be used only for scorekeeping or recordkeeping purposes.
4.1.9
SLINGSHOT PITCH: A pitch where the pitcher drops their pitching
arm to the side and the rear before starting a quick slingshot action
and accelerating with their forward motion. To be a legal pitch, the
pitcher must release the ball on the rst forward motion past the
hip and not make a full revolution of the pitching arm. A slingshot
pitch is legal in fastpitch but not in modied pitch.
4.2.2 b)
From the dugout a manager, coach or player reports a substitution
to the responsible umpire and after making that substitution
crosses the foul line to talk to the pitcher or any elder.
4.3.3 b)
The pitcher may make only one revolution on a windmill pitch. The
pitcher may drop their pitching arm to the side and rear before
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starting the windmill motion or the slingshot motion. The pitching
arm may pass the hip twice on the windmill pitch, but only once on
a slingshot pitch.
4.3.5 b)
Under the supervision and control of an umpire, a resin bag may be
used to dry the hands and must be kept on the ground behind the
pitcher’s plate within the pitching circle when not in use. During
inclement weather or wet eld conditions and with an umpire’s
permission, the resin bag may be placed in the pitcher’s back pocket.
5.1.37
PICK-OFF PLAY: An attempt by the defensive team to put out a
runner who is off their base as a result of a pitched ball.
5.1.38
PLAY: After a pitch and when the ball is live:
a) a batter takes a pitch in the batter’s box, swings at or hits the
pitch and runs to rst base;
b) after the pitch leaves the pitcher’s hand a runner attempts to
steal a base or advance on a batted ball; or
c) the defensive team attempts to put out a batter-runner or a
runner.
d) A pitch is not a play
5.4.2 c)
No manager, coach or player may erase a batter’s box lines at any
time.
5.4.3 b) iv)
When at any time a defensive team member erases the lines of a
batter’s box, a ball will be called on the next scheduled offensive
team batter or the offensive team batter currently at bat. A pitch
does not have to be thrown. When at any time an offensive team
member erases the lines of a batter’s box, a strike will be called
on the next scheduled offensive team batter or the offensive team
batter currently at bat. A pitch does not have to be thrown.
5.4.4 c) iii)
Interferes with a play at home plate. If in the umpire’s judgement
the batter’s action constitutes intentional interference, the runner
attempting to score is also out;
5.10.3 b) iv)
The batter or batter-runner is declared out for intentionally
interfering with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an
obvious out on an advancing runner at the plate. The advancing
runner is out and all other runners must return to the base held at
the time of the pitch. This is already in, but as 5.10.3 b) vi.
5.10.4
THE RUNNER IS NOT OUT: A runner is not out:
g. when they are hit by a live, fair and untouched batted ball while
in contact with their base, unless they intentionally interfere
with the ball or a elder making a play. The ball is dead or
remains live, depending on the position of the elder closest to
the base at the time the ball contacts the runner:
i. the ball remains live if the elder closest to the base is position
ahead of the base;
ii. the ball becomes dead if the elder is behind the base.
Alternative
when they are hit by a live, fair and untouched batted ball while in
contact with their base, unless they intentionally interfere with the
ball or a elder making a play. The ball remains live if the elder
closest to the base is positioned ahead of the base, and is dead if
that elder is positioned behind the base.
APPENDICES
Appendix 2 A 9
A bat that has any exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges or
any exterior fastener that is or presents a hazard is an illegal bat. A
non-wooden bat must be free of burrs and cracks.
Appendix 2 A 10
A non-wooden bat must not have a wooden handle.
Appendix 2 A 12
A bat that is non-wooden and not made of one-piece construction
with the barrel end closed must have a rubber or vinyl plastic or other
material insert that is approved by the WBSC Equipment Standards
Commission and is rmly secured at the large end of the bat.
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ALTERED BAT 2 1 1
Bat specications Appendix 2 A
Batter in box with 5 4 4 b) iii)
Batter is out for using
5 4 4 b) iii)
5 1 23 c)
Appendix 6 A 5) b) 6)
“Flare” or “Cone” grip attachment 2 1 1
APPEAL PLAY 1 2 6
Appeals 1 1 1
Additional out appeals 1 2 5 d)
May not result in an additional out 5 4 1 Effect b) vi)
After time out/dead ball appeal 1 2 6 c)
Batter-runner touches wrong base at rst base 5 5 2 a) vi)
Batting out of order 5 4 1 Effect
Coach or manager 5 4 1 Effect
Dead dall appeal 1 2 6 c)
Illegal re-entry
3 1 8 Effect
1 2 6 e) vii)
May be made to reinstate correct batting order 5 4 1 Effect
May not be made 1 2 6 c) Exception i)-iii)
Offensive team members may appeal
1 2 6 e)
3 2 8 d)
3 2 8 e)
3 3
Runner can leave base on dead ball appeal 1 2 6 a)
Runner can leave base on live ball appeal 1 2 6 b) i)-iii)
Runner cannot return 5 9 g)
Runner out 5 10 3 a) vii)-x)
Tag up play (example) 1 2 9
Types of appeals 1 2 6 e)
BALL
Called by Umpire 5 4 3
Carried into dead ball territory (intentional) 5 11 b) v)
Carried into dead ball territory (unintentional) 5 11 a) ii) 3)
Dead ball situations 1 2 6 c)
Delayed dead ball situations 5 5 1 d) 1)-4)
Fair ball 5 1 16
No signal used Appendix 5 B c)
Ofcial Appendix 3 A
RULE RULESECTION SECTION
ARTICLE ARTICLE
Out of play on losing possession 5 11 Effect a) ii) 4
Putting in play 1 1 7
Size of ball Appendix 3 A\B
Slips from pitcher's hand 4 6
Yellow optic covered may be used Appendix 3 B 4
BALL COMPRESSION Appendix 3 B
BALL COR Appendix 3 B
Maximum for use on balls Appendix 3 B
BASE LINE 2 1 2
BASE ON BALLS (WALK) 5 1 1
Batter becomes batter-runner 5 5 1 c)
Intentional (FP)
5 1 28
5 5 1 c) ii)
(MP) 5 5 1 c)
Treated same as batted ball 5 10 3 b) iii)
BASE PATH 5 1 2
Runner not out 5 10 4 a)
Running outside of 5 5 2 a) vii
BASE UMPIRE Appendix 5 A) k)
BASES Appendix 1 F
Must be run in legal order 5 9
BAT (Specications) Appendix 2 A
Attachment on bat 5 3 c) iii) & Effect
Hits ball a second time 5 4 4 b) vii)
May be engraved with personal “ID” 2 1 1
Removed from game 5 4 4 B) iii)
Warm-up bat Appendix 2 B
BAT PERSON
Must wear helmet 3 4 3 c)
BATTED BALL 5 1 3
Becomes a fair ball 5 1 16
Becomes a foul ball 5 1 20
Settles on home plate 5 1 16 a)
Touches a base 5 1 16 c)
BATTER 5 1 4
Becomes a batter-runner 5 5 1
Bats illegally 5 4 4 b) iv)-v)
Bunts foul after 2 strikes 5 5 2 b) xv)
Deliberately distracted by defense (FP) 4 3 4 a)
(MP) 4 3 5 a)
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Deliberately erases lines of batter’s box 5 4 4 b) d) vi)
Ejected from game 5 4 4 b) iii) 5 4 3 d) vi)
Enters box with altered bat 5 4 4 b) iii)
Enters box with illegal bat 5 4 4 b) iii)
Hit by a legal pitch (FP) 5 5 1 f)
Hit by an illegal pitch (FP) 4 3 1-4 3 7 Effect e)
(MP) 4 3 1-4 3 7 Effect e)
Hitting ball with bat a second time 5 4 4 b) vii)
Intentionally walked (FP) 5 5 1 c)
Intentionally interferes with a thrown ball 5 4 4 c) iv)
Interferes with elder’s opportunity to make a
play after being called out
5 10 3 c) v)
Interferes with play at home plate (FP) 5 4 4 c) iii)
Interferes with the catcher 5 4 4 c) i)-ii)
In game illegally 5 4 1 Effect
Leaves box to get a running start before hitting
ball
5 4 4 b) v)
May be penalized a strike 5 4 3 d) v-vii
Not taking position within ten (10) seconds
5 4 2 b)
5 4 3 d) v)
Obstructed 5 5 1 d)
On-deck batter 5 3
Out 5 4 4
Out for failing to wear helmet 5 3 Effect 5 3 c) ii)
Position in batter’s box 5 4 2 b)
Stepping across home plate while pitcher is
taking signal from catcher
5 4 4 b) vi)
Stepping out of the batter’s box
5 4 2 d
5 4 3 d) vii)
Takes a running start before hitting ball 5 4 4 b) v)
Using an altered bat 5 4 4 b) iii)
Using an illegal bat 5 4 4 b) iii)
When a third out is made while at bat 5 4 1 c)
BATTER'S BOX 2 1 3
Dimensions Appendix 1 F
BATTER'S ON-DECK CIRCLE Appendix 1 F
On-deck batter may leave
5 3 c) iv)
5 5 1
BATTER-RUNNER 5 1 5
Fails to go directly to rst base 5 5 2 a) iv)
Fails to touch fair portion of double base 5 5 2 a) vi)
Illegal glove used on play 5 7 a)-c)
Interferes with play at plate 5 5 2 b) xi)
Interferes with a fair-batted ball 5 5 2 b) vi)
Interferes with a dropped third strike (FP) 5 5 2 b) vii)
Interferes with elder at rst base
5 5 2 b) ii)
5 2 b) xiii)
Interferes with a elder elding a batted ball 5 5 2 b) iii)
Interferes with a elder throwing the ball 5 5 2 b) iv)
Interferes with a thrown ball
5 5 2 b) ii)
5 5 2 b) v)
Not out when defence uses an illegal glove 5 7 a)-c)
Obstructed 5 5 1 d)
Out 5 5 2
Out for removing helmet 5 8 a)
Out on dropped third strike (FP) 5 5 2 b) vii)
Out on intentional interference when using
double base
5 5 2 b) ii) 1)
Out when immediate preceding runner
interferes
5 5 2 c) i)
Out when Ineld Fly declared 5 5 2 a) v)
Out when elder intentionally drops a y ball 5 5 2 b) xiv)
Out when member of team at bat interferes 5 5 2 b) x)
Out when non-team member interferes 5 5 2 c) ii)
Out when overruns rst base and attempts to
go to second base-
5 10 3 a) ix
Runs outside one-meter line 5 5 2 b) ii)
Steps back toward home plate 5 5 2 b) xii)
Touches wrong base when running to rst base 5 5 2 a) vi)
BATTING ORDER
5 1 6
5 4 1
When using a Designated Player 3 2 4 b) iii)
BATTING OUT OF ORDER 5 4 1 Effect
Discovered while on base 5 4 1 Effect b)
Two or more outs may be achieved 5 4 1 Effect b) ii)-iii)
BLOCKED BALL 5 1 7
Award of bases 5 11 Effect a) & b)
Ball becomes dead 5 1 11
Caused by offensive equipment on eld 5 10 3 c) xiii)
BLOCKING A BASE
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Fielder may not do so without possession of ball 5 1 32 b) i)
Fielder may not do so with possession of the
ball
5 1 32 b) iv)-v)
BODY PROTECTORS 2 4 3 c)
For Umpires Appendix 5 A
Must be worn by all catchers in Fast Pitch 2 4 3 c)
BOX SCORE Appendix 6 A
BUNT 5 1 8
Batter out for bunting foul with two strikes 5 5 2 b) xv)
Intentionally dropped
5 5 2 b) xiv)
5 5 2 b) xiv)
5 1 29
Not treated as an ineld y 5 1 26
CAPS 2 5 1 a) i)
CASTS 2 5 1 f)
CATCH 5 1 9
Deliberately dropped
5 5 2 b) xiv)
5 1 29
Legally caught ball
5 1 9
5 1 24
When completed 5 1 9
CATCHER
Cannot wear plastic face mask/guard 2 4 3 b)
Must be in position to receive pitch
4 3 1 b)
4 3 6 a)
Must return ball directly to pitcher 4 3 6 b)
(MP) 4 3 6 b)
Must wear a body protector 2 4 3 c)
Must wear a helmet 2 4 3 a)
Must wear shin guards 2 4 3 d)
Obstructs batter 5 5 1 d)
CATCHER'S BOX 2 1 4
Dimensions Appendix 1 F
CATCHER'S OBSTRUCTION 5 5 1 d)
Creates a delayed dead ball 5 5 1 d) Effect
CHANGE OF UMPIRES 3 6 5
CHARGED CONFERENCE 5 1 10
Conference is over 4 2 1 e)
Defensive 4 2 1
Defensive conferences are accumulative 4 2 1 b)
Includes elders going to dugout 4 2 1 e)
Offensive 5 1 10
Second charged conference 5 2 b)
CLEATS (Shoes) 2 4 2
COACH 3 1 1
Assists runner
5 5 2 a) viii)
5 10 3 a) v)
Attempts to create an illegal pitch (FP) (MP) 4 5 e)
Defensive team coach 3 4 1 e)
Draws throw from elder 5 10 3 c) vii)
Ejected from game
2 6 Effect
3 2 8 Effect b)-d)
3 4 2 b)
5 10 3 a) xiii) Effect
Interferes with a throw 5 10 3 c) viii)
Interferes with opportunity to make a play 5 10 3 c) viii)
Manager referred to as Head Coach 3 1 7
May not use communication equipment 3 4 1 c)
May not use offensive language
3 5 1 c)
3 5 1 c) Effect
Offensive team coach 3 4 3 a)
Players may be designated as coach 3 1 2
Two coaches may be on eld 3 4 3 a)
COACH'S BOX
Appendix 1 F
2 1 5
COIN TOSS 1 1 4
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
Not allowed 3 4 1 c)
CONDITIONS OF FIELD 3 6 2 a)
CONFERENCES 5 1 10
Defensive
4 2 1 a)
4 2 1 d)
Not charged 4 2 2 a)-f)
Offensive 5 2
COURTESY RUNNER (ILLEGAL)
Injured runner may be substituted 3 2 8 g)
CROW HOP (FP) 4 1 2
Is an illegal act (FP) 4 3 3 f)
(MP) 4 3 3 g)
DEAD BALL 5 1 11
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DEFENSIVE CONFERENCES 4 1 1
Limited to three per seven innings
4 2 1 a)
4 2 1 d)
DEFENSIVE TEAM 1 1 2
DELAYED DEAD BALL 5 1 12
Catcher obstruction 5 5 1 d) & Effect
Contacting ball with detached equipment 5 11 a) ii 6)
Illegal pitch
4 3 1 to
4 3 1-7 & Effect
Obstruction 5 1 32
Plate Umpire interferes with throw 5 10 3 d)
Signal
5 5 1 d) Effect
5 10 3 d) Effect
4 3 7 Effect a)-e)
Appendix 5.B j)
DELIBERATE CRASH BY RUNNER 5 10 3 c) ix)
DESIGNATED PLAYER or DP
3 1 3
3 2 4
Game can proceed with 9 or 10 players 3 2 4 b) iii)
May be replaced by the FLEX 3 2 5 c)
May play offense and defense 3 2 4 b) i)
May re-enter 3 2 3 e)
Minimum number of players when using 3 2 2 a)
Replacing the FLEX on defense is not a
substitution
3 2 5 c) ii)
Scoring Appendix 6
DIAMOND DIMENSIONS (Also refer to
drawings)
Appendix 1 A
DISLODGED BASE 5 1 14
Runner may be put out
5 10 1 i)
5 10 4 n)
Runner not out when he dislodges base 5 10 4 n)
Succeeding runners not required to touch 5 9 e)
DISPARAGING REMARKS 3 5 1 c) i)
Coaches may not use 3 4 1 b)
DISPUTED CALLS
3 5 1 a)
3 5 1 a) a) & b) Effect
Distracting adornments 2 5 1 g)
DOUBLE BASE (IF USED) 5 6
Batted ball hits base 5 6 a) i)
Dropped third strike (FP) 5 6 a) iii)
No play made at base 5 6 b) i)
Play made at base on a batted ball 5 5 2 a) vi)
Play made from rst base foul territory 5 6 a) ii)
DOUBLE, GROUND RULE Appendix 5 B l)
DOUBLE PLAY 5 1 15
DROPPED BALL DURING PITCHER’S WIND-UP
(FP) (MP)
4 6
DROPPED THIRD STRIKE
Batter is out (FP) 5 4 4 a) ii)
Batter-runner is out (FP) 5 6 a) iii)
Batter-runner may use either portion of double
base (FP)
5 6 a) v)
DUGOUT 2 1 5
Conduct in dugout 3 5 1 b)
EIGHT FOOT CIRCLE RULE (FP) 5 10 3 b) iii)
EJECTION FROM GAME 3 1 4
Additional charged offensive conference 5 2 b) Effect
Batter using altered bat 5 4 4 b) iii)
Deliberate crash by runner 5 10 3 c) ix)
Employing tactics to create illegal pitch (FP)
(MP)
4 5 e) & Effect
Fielder distracts batter (FP) 4 4 4 a) Effect
(MP) 4 3 4 a)
Fielder obstructs with a fake tag 5 10 2 b)
Foreign substance placed on ball (FP) 4 3 5 Effect
(MP) - 4 3 5 Effect
Forfeit results from ejection 1 2 2 g) & h)
Illegal Pitcher returns to game 4 8 Effect a) & b)
Of coach 3 4 Effect
Of team members 3 5 1 a) –c) Effect
On-deck batter not wearing helmet 5 3 c) ii) Effect
Return after ejection causes forfeit 1 2 2 i)
Runners switching position on bases after
offensive conference
5 10 3 a) xiii) Effect
Team member erases lines of batter’s box 5 4 3 d) vi) 3
Umpires may eject for violations Appendix 5 A l) 3)
Using illegal warm-up bat after warning 5 3 e) Effect
ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYER MAY BE PROTESTED 1 1 9 b)
When to protest 1 2 11 a)
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122 123
Result 1 2 14 c)
EQUIPMENT 2 3
Left on eld 5 10 3 c) xii)
Ofcial equipment 2 1 12
Detached equipment 5 1 13
Contacts non-ofcial offensive equipment 5 10 4 p
ERROR (Scoring of) Appendix 6 A
FACE MASKS 2 4 3 b)
Catchers may not wear (FP) 2 4 3 b)
Damaged facemasks prohibited 2 4 3 b)
FAIR BALL 5 1 16
Contacts the foul pole 5 1 16 h)
Interfered with 5 5 1 e)
Judged by position of ball 5 1 16 h)
Signal Appendix 5 B f)
Batter-runner interferes with 5 5 2 b) vi
Strikes runner
5 5 1 e)
5 10 4 d) – g)
Strikes Umpire 5 5 1 e)
FAIR TERRITORY 2 1 6
FAKE TAG 5 1 17
Causes obstruction 5 1 32 b) 3)
FIELDER 3 1 5
Causes obstruction 5 1 32 b)
Deects a batted ball out of play
5 11 Effect b) i) 3)
5 11 Effect b) i) 6) a)
Deliberately kicks ball out of play 5 11 Effect b) v)
Distracts batter 4 3 4 a)
Intentionally carries ball out of play 5 11 Effect b) v)
In game illegally 3 3 8 a) & b)
Loses possession of ball on tag play 5 11 Effect a) ii) 4)
Positions on diamond 3 2 2 a) & b)
Unintentionally carries ball out of play 5 11 Effect a) ii) 3)
FITNESS OF GROUND 3 6 2 a)
FLY BALL 5 1 18
Carried into dead ball area 5 11 Effect b) v)
Intentionally dropped 5 1 29
Interfered with
5 3 c) iv) 3
5 3 c) v) Effect
5 5 2 b) ix) & x)
FLEX PLAYER 3 1 6
Listed in 10th position on line-up card 3 2 5
May play offense and defense 3 2 5 c)
May re-enter game 3 2 3 e)
May replace the DP on offence 3 2 4 b) ii)
FORCE OUT
5 1 19
5 10 3 a) iii)
Runs do not score 1 2 5 c) ii)
FOREIGN SUBSTANCE ON BALL 4 3 5 a)
FORFEIT 1 1 3
Failure to complete game with required number
of players
3 2 2 a) and Effect
Ineligible player returns to game 1 2 2 i)
Ineligible roster member used 3 2 8 Effect f)
No substitute available 3 2 8 Effect d))
Plate Umpire rules 1 1 3
Reasons for forfeit 1 2 2 a)-j)
Removed or ejected team member fails to leave
game
3 5 1 c) Effect
Score of 1 2 7 c)
Scoring records Appendix 6 I
Team has insufcient players 3 2 2 a) Effect
FOUL BALL 5 1 20
Signal Appendix 5 B e)
FOUL TERRITORY 2 1 7
FOUL TIP 5 1 21
Is a strike 5 1 21 b)
GAME CALLED BY UMPIRE 1 2 1 c)
GLOVES (refer to softball glove drawing) 2 4 1; Appendix 4
Use of illegal glove 2 1 10
5 1 34 ii)
GROUND RULE DOUBLE 5 11 b) i) 1)
Signal Appendix 5 B l)
GROUND RULES Appendix 5 A g)
Discussion with managers Appendix 5 A f)
HANDS NOT PART OF BAT 5 5 1 f)
HEAD BANDS 2 5 1 a) ii)
HEAD COACH 3 1 7
Must provide name of new coach in case of
ejection
3 4 2 b)
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124 125
Name must be listed on line-up card 3 2 1 a) iii)
Responsible for signing line-up card 3 4 2 a)
HELMET 2 1 8
Accidentally dislodged 5 8 a) ii)
Are mandatory (FP) 5 8 a)
Catcher’s helmet not required to have earaps 2 1 8 b)
Damaged helmets prohibited 2 1 8
Defensive player may wear 2 1 8 b)
Deliberately removed during play 5 8 a) i)
Must have two earaps 2 1 8 a)
Thrown ball contacts helmet
5 8 b) i)
5 8 b) ii)
HIT BY PITCH (Batter) 5 1 22
Ball is dead 5 11 Effect a) i) 5)
HOME PLATE Appendix 1 E
HOME RUN 5 5 1 g)
Removal of helmet on a home run 5 8 a)
Signal Appendix 5 B m)
HOME AND VISITING TEAM 1 1 4
ILLEGAL BAT 2 1 9
Batter in box with 5 4 4 b) iii)
Batter is out for using 5 4 4 b) iii)
Dead ball 5 4 4 b)
ILLEGAL GLOVE 2 1 10
Batter-runner not out 5 7
Runner not out 5 7 c)
ILLEGAL PITCH 4 3 1 to 7 and Effect
Hits batter 4 3 1 Effect e)
Is nullied 4 3 1 Effect c)
On squeeze play 4 3 4 b) Effect
Option given 4 3 1 Effect b) & c)
Pitcher throws to base from pitcher's plate 4 3 7
What constitutes 4 3 1-7 Effect
ILLEGAL PITCHER
4 1 3
4 8
Declared when defense exceeds conference
limit
4 2 1 a) Effect
Returns to pitching position 4 8 Effect
ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY 3 1 8
DP bats in incorrect position 3 1 8 a)
Penalty for use of 3 2 8 Effect d)
Use of Ineligible Replacement Player 3 2 8 Effect d)
ILLEGAL WARM-UP BATS 2 3 2
Specications Appendix 2 B
Penalty for use of 5 3 c) iii) Effect
ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL 5 1 23
Ball is dead 5 4 4 b)
Batter is out 5 4 4 a)
Runners must return 5 4 4 b)
ILLEGALLY CAUGHT BALL 5 1 24
Runners may advance without liability 5 10 1 j)
INCOMPLETE GAME 1 2 1 f
INCORRECT UNIFORM NUMBER ON LINE-UP
CARD
3 2 1 d)
INELIGIBLE PLAYER 3 1 12
Called out 3 2 8 Effect d) iii)
Causes forfeit 3 2 8 Effect d) i)
Removed from game 3 2 8 Effect d)
INELIGIBLE REPLACEMENT PLAYER 3 1 12
Use of considered an illegal re-entry 3 2 8 Effect d)
IN FLIGHT 5 1 25
IN JEOPARDY 5 1 27
IN PLAY (Ball) 1 1 7 b)
Out of play lines 5 11 Effect b) 5) and 6)
INFIELD 2 1 11
INFIELDER 3 1 13
INFIELD FLY 5 1 26
Ball remains alive 5 5 2 a) v)
Batter-runner out Appendix 5 A l 5
Signal Appendix 5 A l 5
Takes precedence over deliberately dropped ball 5 1 29
INJURED PLAYER
May be replaced at pre-game meeting 3 2 3 c)
May be substituted prior to advancing to an
awarded base
3 2 3 c)
Umpire should suspend play 3 6 7 f)
INNING 1 1 5
INSULTING REMARKS TOWARD PLAYERS OR
UMPIRES
3 5 1 c) i
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126 127
INTENTIONAL BASE ON BALLS (WALK)
5 1 28
5 5 1 c) ii)
Ball is dead 5 1 28
INTENTIONALLY DROPPED FLY BALL 5 1 29
Batter-runner out 5 5 2 a) v)
Ineld Fly takes precedence 5 1 29
Runner returns 5 5 2 b) xiv)
Trapped ball not considered to be dropped 5 1 29
INTERFERENCE 5 1 30
Act of overrides obstruction 5 10 2 d) ii)
Ball dead 5 3 c) iv) Effect
Batted ball striking Umpire 5 5 1 e)
Batter-runner returns to bat 5 10 3 c) iv)
By base coach 5 10 3 c) viii)
By batter 5 5 2 b) vii) and viii)
By batter-runner 5 5 2 b) ii –xi)
By immediate preceding runner 5 5 2 c) i) & Effect
By member of team at bat 5 5 2 b) x)
By non-team member 5 5 2 c) ii)
By on-deck batter 5 5 2 b) ix)
By Plate Umpire 5 10 3 d)
By runner 5 5 2 b)
Caused by offensive team equipment 5 3 e Effect
Hitting a batted ball a second time 5 4 4 b) vii)
Runners return 5 4 4 b)
Runners return unless forced 5 3 c v Effect 1) b)
With a dropped third strike 5 5 2 b) vii)
With a live ball 5 10 3 c) iv)
JEWELRY 2 5 1 g)
Player removed from game 2 5 1 Effect
JUDGMENT DECISIONS DISPUTED 3 5 1 a)
JUNIOR AGE PLAYERS MUST WEAR A
HELMET WHILE COACHING OR ACTING AS
BAT BOYS/GIRLS
3 4 3 d Effect
LEAPING (FP) 4 1 4
LEGAL DELIVERY 4 3 3
LEGAL TOUCH (TAG) 5 1 42
Batter-runner is out 5 1 42 a)
Runner is out 5 1 42 a)
LEGAL WARM-UP BATS 2 3 2 and Appendix 2 B
On-deck batter may use 5 3 c) iii)
LEGALLY CAUGHT BALL 5 1 9 a)
LINE DRIVE 5 1 31
Deliberately dropped 5 1 29
Not an Ineld Fly 5 1 26
LINE-UP & LINE-UP CARD
3 1 15
3 1 14
3 2 1
Batting Order to be followed 5 4 1
Head coach must sign 3 4 2 a)
Incorrect uniform number listed 3 2 1 d)
Ejection of named manager/coach 3 2 8 Effect d)
LIVE BALL 1 1 1
Carried into dead ball territory 5 11 Effect b) v)
LOSS, CHARGED TO PITCHER (Scoring) Appendix 6 F
MANAGER EJECTED
3 2 8 Effect b)
5 2 b Effect
MASKS AND THROAT PROTECTORS 2 4 3 a)-c)
Umpire must wear Appendix 5 A e)
MEDICAL APPARATUS 2 5 1 g)
MITTS
2 4 1 a)
2 1 10
MODIFIED PITCHING RULES 4 3 3
MULTICOLORED GLOVE S (Use of) 2 4 1 c)
NO PITCH (FP) (MP) 4 5
Signal Appendix 5 B o)
NAMES (Uniform) 2 5 1 e)
Must be listed on line-up card 3 2 3 b)
NON-TEAM MEMBER CREATES
INTERFERENCE
5 5 2 c) ii)
Ball is dead 5 5 1 h)
Batter-runner is out 5 5 2 c) ii)
Causes a blocked ball 5 10 3 c) xii)
Runners entitled to advance 5 11 e )i)
NUMBERS (Uniform) 2 5 1 d)
Incorrect number on line-up card 3 2 1 d)
OBSTRUCTION 5 1 32
Act of interference takes precedence 5 10 2 d) ii)
By catcher 5 5 1 d) Effect 4)
Defensive team 5 10 2
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Fielder cannot block base without possession
of ball
5 1 32 b) 5
Runner cannot be out 5 10 2 d)
Runner may be out 5 10 2 d) i) 1) – 3)
On squeeze play 4 3 4 b)
OFFENSIVE CONFERENCES 5 1 10
Offensive Player Only 3 1 16
OFFENSIVE TEAM 1 1 6
Attempts to create an Illegal Pitch 4 5 e)
OFFICIAL SOFTBALL 2 3 3
OFFICIAL BAT 2 3 1
Shall not be an altered bat Appendix 2 A 12) iii)
OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT 2 1 12
Blocked ball 5 1 7 c)
On playing eld 2 1 12
OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER 3 7 1
ON-DECK BATTER
5 1 33
5 3
May leave on-deck circle 5 3 c) iv)
May not interfere 5 3 c) iv) 4 & Effect
Must wear a helmet 5 3 c) ii)
Using illegal warm-up bats 5 3 c) iii) Effect
ON-DECK CIRCLE
Appendix 1 F
2 1 13
On-deck batter may leave circle 5 3 c) iv)
On-deck batter must use 5 3 c) i
ONE-METER (3 FOOT) LINE Appendix 1 F
Batter-runner may run out of line 5 5 2 b) iii)
Batter-runner out 5 6 a) ii)
OPTION PLAYS 5 1 34
Catcher obstruction 5 1 34 i)
Illegal Pitch (FP) 5 1 34 iv)
Illegal Pitcher returns to pitch (FP) (MP) 5 1 34 v)
Outs made using illegal glove 5 1 34 ii)
Unannounced substitute 5 1 34 iii)
OUT
Batter 5 4 4
Batter-runner 5 5 2
Batting out-of-order 5 4 1 Effect
Signal Appendix 5 B g
OUTFIELD 2 1 13
OVERRUNNING FIRST BASE
Runner attempts to go to second base 5 10 1 h)
Runner not out 5 10 4 j)
OVER SLIDE 5 1 35
Appeal play at home plate 5 10 3 a) x
Runner is not out 5 10 4 n
Runner is out 5 10 3 a) iv)
OVERTHROW 5 1 36
Award of bases 5 11 Effect b) ii)
Runners entitled to advance 5 11 Effect b) ii)
PASSED BALL (FP) 4 1 5
Extra bases on an Illegal Pitch may be retained 4 3 1 to 4 3 7 Effect a)
Runners entitled to advance 5 10 1 j)
PERSON ASSIGNED TO GAME
Interferes with elder or ball 5 10 3 d)
Struck by a live ball 5 1 9 e)
PICK-OFF PLAY 5 1 37
PINE TAR
Not allowed on ball or pitcher's hand (FP) 4 3 5 a) and d)
Permissible on bat grip Appendix 2 A 11
PITCH 4 1 6
Deliberately dropped or rolled (FP) 4 3 3 j)
(MP) 4 3 3 j)
Delivered with catcher not in catcher's box 3 2 2 b)
Illegal actions 4 3 7 and Effects
Intentional base on balls 5 1 28
No pitch declared 4 5
Quick return pitch 4 5 b)
Must be returned directly by catcher 4 3 6 b)
Starts 4 3 2
Slips from pitcher's hand 4 6
Warm-up pitches allowed 4 4
Hits batter in strike zone
5 1 22
5 5 1 f)
Illegal on squeeze play 4 3 4 b) Effect
Illegal Pitch hits batter 4
Effect
4.3.1-
4.3.7
PITCHER
Becomes an illegal pitcher 4 8
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130 131
Cannot throw to base while in contact with
plate
4 3 7
Charged with a loss (scoring) Appendix 6 F
Credited with a win (scoring) Appendix 6 E
Crow Hop 4 1 2
Fails to pitch within allowed time 5 4 3 a) iii)
Hits batter in strike zone
5 1 22
5 5 1 f)
Hits batter with a legal pitch 5 1 22
Hits batter with an Illegal Pitch 4 3 1 Effect e)
Illegal Pitcher returns to pitch 5 1 34 v)
Legal delivery 4 3 3
May legally step off pitcher’s plate 4 3 7
May not continue windup after delivery 4 3 3 i)
May return to the position 4 7
May use resin to dry hands 4 3 5 b) – c)
Must bring body to full & complete stop 4 3 1 e)
Must release pitch within 20 seconds 4 3 3 k)
M u st s t ep f orw a rd if s te ps o n de li v e ry 4 3 3 e)
Must take signal from catcher 4 3 1 d)
Not considered in position 4 3 1 a)
Not credited with win or loss (scoring) Appendix 6 E
Penalty for ex tra warmup pitches 4 4 Effect
Pitches during suspension of play 4 5 a)
Playing runners back from pitcher’s circle 5 10 3 b) iii) 1
Preliminaries 4 3 1
Prevents batter from striking at pitch (FP) 4
Effect
4.3.1-
4.3.7
Removed after excessive charged defensive
conferences
4 2 1 a) Effect
Rocking motion illegal 4 3 2 b)
Starting player (pitcher) 3 1 20
Stepping foot must point to home plate (MP) 4 3 3 h)
Sweatband not permitted on wrist or forearm of
pitching hand
4 3 5 e)
Tape on nger of pitching hand 4 3 5 e)
Throws from pitcher’s plate 4 3 7
Foreign substance on pitching hand 4 3 5 a)
Warmup pitches allowed 4 4 a)
PITCHER'S CIRCLE (FP) Appendix 1 F
PITCHER'S PLATE Appendix 1 E
Pitcher must maintain contact with (FP) (MP) 4 3 1 c)
(FP) 4 3 3 e)
(MP) 4 3 3 h)
PITCHING DISTANCES Appendix 1 F
PITCHING POSITION (FP) (MP) 4 3 1
PIVOT FOOT 4 1 7
Must remain in contact with pitcher’s plate (FP) 4 3 2 b)
(MP) 4 3 2 b)
PLATE UMPIRE 3 6 2
Decides on tness of ground 3 6 2 a)
PLAY 5 1 38
PLAYERS 3 2 2
Attempt to create an Illegal Pitch (FP) (MP)
(SP)
4 5 e)
Become starting players 3 1 20
Defensive positioning 3 2 2 a) i)
Defensive positioning prior to pitch 4 3 4
Ejected for attempting to cause an illegal pitch 4 5 e)
Ejected for distracting batter 4 3 4 a)
Ejected for fake tag obstruction 5 10 2 b)
Ejected for Illegal Reentry 3 2 8 Effect b)
Ejected for using illegal warmup bat 5 3 e) Effect
Entering as a Replacement Player 3 1 19
May act as a coach 3 1 11
May be substituted
3 2 1 c)
3 2 3 e)
May not wear distracting jewelry 2 5 1 g)
May sit on bench after being removed from
game
3 1 18
May wear facemasks / guards 2 4 3 b)
May wear helmets while on defense 2 1 8 b)
May wear nonstandard uniform 2 5 1
Minimum number required to play 3 2 2 a) i) – ii)
Must be required number to start or continue
game
3 2 2 c)
Must leave game and ground when ejected 3 5 1 c) b) Effect
Ofcially in game 3 2 3 a)
Penalty for violations 3 1 4
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Removed from game after being declared as
Ineligible Player
3 1 11
Removed from game for failure to remove illegal
uniform
2 5 1 Effect
Required to change uniform number 3 2 6 b)
Substituted from game 3 2 6 e) ii
PLAY BALL 1 1 7
Batter must take position after Umpire calls 5 4 2 b)
Pitcher must be in pitching position to put ball
in play
1 1 7 a)
Signal Appendix 5 B a)
Team fails to resume play after call of 1 2 2 d)
PLAY MADE BY UNANNOUNCED SUBSTITUTE 3 2 8 Effect c)
PLAYING FIELD
2 1 14
2 2
Fitness for play 3 6 2 a)
Diamond layout Appendix 1 F
Ground rules establishing limits 2 2 3
Using baseball eld 2 2 3 b)
Warning track 2 2 1 c)
PREGAME MEETING
1 1 8
3 2 3 a)
PROTEST
1 1 9
1 2 8
1 2 9
Effect of result of protest decision 1 2 14
Information needed 1 2 13
Notication of intent to lodge 1 2 11
That will be considered 1 2 8 a)
That will not be considered 1 2 10
Time limit to lodge 1 2 12
QUICK RETURN PITCH 4 1 8
Becomes a No Pitch (FP) (MP) 4 5 b
REENTRY
3 1 17
3 2 8 b)
Designated Player may reenter (FP) 3 2 3 e)
Illegal reentry 3 2 8 Effect
REFUSING TO PLAY OR CONTINUE GAME 1 2 2 b)
REGULATION GAME 1 2 1 af
REMOVAL FROM GAME 3 1 18
Altered & illegal bat must be removed 5 4 4 b) iii)
Illega l warmup bat must be re m ove d 5 3 c) iii) Effect
Ineligible player 3 1 11
Failure of player to leave game in required time 3 5 1 c) Effect c)
Failure of player to remove jewelry 2 5 1 g)
Umpires may remove players for violations 3 1 18
REMOVAL FROM PITCHING POSITION
For exceeding defensive conference limit 4 2 1 a) Effect
REPLACEMENT PLAYER
3 1 19
3 2 6 e)
Can bat and eld 3 2 6
Must be reported to Umpire 3 2 6 d)
Not subject to provisions of substitutions rule 3 2 6 c)
Required when player bleeding 3 2 6 b)
Statistics to be credited (scoring) Appendix 6 A a)
To be treated as a substitute 3 2 6 c)
Use of ineligible replacement player 3 1 12
RESIN
May be used on bat Appendix 2 A 11
Use by pitcher (FP) 4 3 5 b)c)
(MP) 4 3 5 b)c)
RETURN OF PITCH TO PITCHER BY CATCHER 4 3 6 b)
ROSTERS
3 2
3 1 9
Eligible members may be added to lineup at
any time
3 2 1 c)
Must be male or female only 3 2 1 d)
Use of ineligible roster members may be
protested
1 1 9 b)
1 2 14 c)
RUNNER 5 1 37
Abandons base 5 10 3 a) xi)
Advances on an Illegal Pitch 4 3 1 to 7 Effect a)
Award of bases due to contact with detached
player equipment
5 11 Effect c)
Award of bases on ball carried out of play 5 11 Effect b) v)
Award of bases on ball overthrown out of play 5 11 Effect b) ii)
Can steal bases (FP) 5 1 40
Cannot leave until ball reaches home plate,
touches ground or is batted
5 10 3 b) ii)
Cannot leave base until pitcher releases the pitch 5 10 3 b) ii) & iii)
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134 135
Closest to home is out
5 3 c) v) Effect 1) a)
5 5 2 b) x)
Interferes with elder attempting to eld
fairbatted ball
5 5 2 b) iii)
In game illegally 3 2 8 Effect
Comes in contact with elder not entitled to
eld ball
5 10 4 c)
Deects a fairbatted ball 5 11 b) i) 6) b)
Deliberately crashes into elder with ball 5 10 3 c) ix)
Dislodges a base
5 9 e)
5 10 1 i)
Enters team area while ball alive 5 10 3 a) xi)
Entitled to advance with liability to be put out 5 10 1
Entitled to hold base 5 9 d)
Ejected due to deliberate crash 5 10 3 c) ix)
Fails to return to base or proceed to next base
when ball in circle (FP)
5 10 3 b) iii)
Fails to return to base while ball in play 5 10 3 b) iv)
Forfeits exemption from liability to be put out 5 10 1 g)
Hit by batted ball
5 10 3 c) i)
5 10 1 e) i)
Illegal glove used on play 5 7 b) and c)
Injured 3 6 7 f)
Intentionally kicks ball 5 10 3 c) ii)
Interferes with batted ball 5 10 3 c) iii)
Interferes with elder attempting to eld or
throw a ball
5 10 3 c) iii )
Interferes with play after being called out or
after scoring
5 10 3 c) v)
Interferes with thrown ball 5 10 3 c) iii)
Leaves base too soon
5 10 3 b) ii)
5 10 3 a) vii)
May leave base on an appeal play 1 2 6 b)
May leave base when y ball rst touched
5 10 1 d)
5 10 4 m)
May not return to a missed base after following
runner has scored
5 9 h)
May return to a missed base when ball is dead 5 10
3 a) Effect
EXCEPTION
May wea r a pl as t ic fa c e ma sk / gu ard 2 4 3 b)
Misses a base
5 10 3 a) vii and Effect
5 10 2 d) i) 1)
Misses home plate 5 10 3 a) x)
Must return to base 5 9 b) i)
Must touch awarded bases in legal order 5 9 j)
Must wear a helmet (FP) 5 10 3 b) 1)
Not out 5 10 4
Obstructed 5 1 32 b)
Obstructed but cannot be out 5 9 a)
Obstructed but may be put out 5 10 2 d) ii)
Off base when pitcher has ball in pitcher’s circle
(FP)
5 10 3 b) iii)
Offensive team collecting at a base to confuse
defense
5 10 3 c) vi)
Out 5 10 3 a)
Out after an obstruction 5 10 2 d) i) 1)3)
Out for removing helmet 5 8 a)
Out for switching positions on base following
offensive conference
5 10 3 a) xiii) and Effect
Out on appeal plays 5 10 3 a) vii) – x) Effect
Out on batterrunner interference 5 10 3 c) v)
Out on force play 5 10 3 a) iii)
Out when assisted by anyone other than a
runner
5 10 3 a) v)
Passes another runner 5 10 3 a) vi)
Runs bases in reverse order 5 10 3 c) x)
Runs out of base path
5 10 3 a) i)
5 10 4 b)
Struck by a fair ball
5 10 4 d)
5 5 1 e)
Struck by a fair ball in foul territory 5 10 4 e)
Struck by a fair ball while touching a base 5 10 4 g)
Struck by a foul ball 5 1 20 d)
Takes a running start on a y ball 5 10 3 a) xii)
Two occupying base at same time 5 9 f)
RUN AHEAD RULE 1 2 3
RUNS BATTED IN (Scoring) Appendix 6 G b)
RUNS DO NOT SCORE 1 2 5 c)
Succeeding runner may not score 5 9 g)
RUNS LEGALLY SCORE 1 2 5 a)
RULE RULESECTION SECTION
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136 137
On squeeze play Appendix 6 D b)
SACRIFICE FLY (Scoring) Appendix 6 C
SAFE SIGNAL Appendix 5 B h)
SCOREKEEPER'S SUMMARY Appendix 6 G
SCORING Appendix 6
Forfeited game records Appendix 6 I
SHIN GUARDS MUST BE WORN 2 4 3 c)
For Umpires Appendix 5 A e)
SHOES MUST BE WORN 2 4 2 a)
SINGLE UMPIRE RESPONSIBILITIES 3 6 4
SLAP HIT (FP) 5 1 38
Not considered to be a bunt 5 1 38
SLINGSHOT PITCH 4 1 9
SMOKING NOT PERMITTED IN DUGOUT 2 1 5
SOFTBALL OFFICIAL BALL Appendix 3 A
SPECTATOR
Abuse to 1 2 1 e)
Causes forfeit 1 2 1 e)
Interference by
5 1 7 b)
5 1 30 d)
SPIKES (SHOES) 2 4 2
SPRAY SUBSTANCES
Permitted on bat grip Appendix 2 A 11)
SQUEEZE PLAY (FP) 5 1 39
STARTING LINEUP
3 1 20
3 1 14
3 2 3 a)
Designated Player (FP)
3 2 2 a)
Appendix 6 A 1)
Order of lineup 3 2 3 e)
Reentry of 3 2 3 e)
STARTING PLAYERS
3 1 20
3 2 3
Not currently in lineup can be a Replacement
Player
3 2 6 e)
Shall be ofcial 3 2 3
STEALING 5 1 40
Umpire interferes with catcher’s attempt to
retire runner
5 10 3 d) Effect
STEP MAY BE TAKEN BY PITCHER 4 3 3 e)
STEPPING OUT OF BATTER'S BOX
5 4 3 d) vii)
5 4 4 b) vi)
Batter hits ball illegally
5 1 23 a)
5 1 23 d)
Batter steps from one box to the other Appendix 6 4) b) 7)
STOLEN BASE
Scoring Appendix 6
STRIKE 5 4 3
Stepping out of batter’s box 5 4 3 d) vii)
Ball hits batter on swing 5 4 3 d) ii)
Ball hits batter on third strike 5 4 4 b) i)
Called by Umpire 5 4 3 b) i) to x)
Signal Appendix 5 B b
Third strike rule (FP) 5 1 44
STRIKE ZONE (FP) 5 1 41
SUBSTITUTES
3 1 21
3 2 1 a) ii)
Cannot reenter 3 1 18
Eligible roster members may be added to list of 3 2 1 c)
For injured runners 3 2 3 c)
Substitutes considered in game 3 2 8 c)
May be used as a replacement player 3 2 6 e i) and ii)
May enter at pregame meeting 3 2 3 c)
May not participate in game further as players 3 2 8 a)
Multiple substitutions allowed 3 2 8 a)
Must notify Plate Umpire when entering game 3 2 8 c)
No substitutes available 3 2 8 Effect d) i)
Replacement player not considered a substitute 3 2 6 c)
Unreported
3 1 9
3 2 8 d)
Use of unreported substitution must be
appealed
3 2 8 Effect
SUSPENSION OF PLAY 3 6 7
Team fails to resume play 1 2 2 c)
Signal Appendix 5 B i)
TAG (LEGAL TOUCH) 5 1 42
Batterrunner is out 5 5 2 a) iii)
Illegal tag 5 10 4 g)
Runner is out 5 10 3 a) ii)
TAGGING UP 5 1 43
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138 139
Runner fails to tag up on a y ball 5 9 g)
Runner may legally advance 5 1 43
Runner not out 5 10 4 l
TAPE ON BAT
2 1 1
Appendix 2 11
TAPE ON PITCHING HAND 4 3 5 e)
TEAM
1 1 2
1 1 6
Forfeits 1 1 3
Number of players required to start or continue
a game
3 2 2 a)
TEAM MEMBER 3 1 22
TEAM OFFICIALS EJECTED 5 2 b) Effect
For a second charged offensive conference 5 2 b) Effect
For an illegal reentry 3 2 8 Effect
For attempting to create an illegal pitch 4 5 e)
For coaching infractions 3 4 Effect
TEMPORARY RUNNER
3 1 22
3 2 7
THIRD STRIKE RULE
5 1 44
5 5 1 b)
Incorrect Runner used
1 2 6 a) iv)
1 2 6 e) x)
THROAT PROTECTORS (Mask) 2 4 3 a)
Umpires Appendix 5 A e)
THROW 5 1 45
THROWING TO A BASE WHILE THE FOOT IS
IN CONTACT WITH PITCHER'S PLATE
(FP) 4 3 7
(MP) 4 3 7
TIEBREAKER 1 2 4
Incorrect runner placed on base
1 2 4 c)
5 9
TIE GAMES
1 2 1 b) and f)
1 2 7 b)
Play continues 1 2 1 b)
Regulation tie game declared 1 2 1 d)
Shall be replayed 1 2 1 f)
TIME 1 1 10
Dead ball 1 2 6 c)
Signal Appendix 5 B i)
Suspension of play 3 6 7 d) e)
TRAPPED BALL 5 1 46
Not considered deliberately dropped 5 1 29
Signal Appendix 5 B k
TRIPLE PLAY 5 1 47
TURN AT BAT 5 1 48
Player misses his turn 5 4 1 Effect d)
Scoring Appendix 6 A a) & b)
UMPIRES 3 6 1
Ball lodges in equipment or clothing 5 11 Effect e)
Deects a ball out of play 5 11 b) i) 6)
Equipment, Uniform Appendix 5 A c)e)
Fairbatted ball strikes Umpire
5 1 16 d)
5 5 1 e)
Foul ball strikes Umpire 5 1 20 d)
Hit by thrown ball 5 10 1 c)
Judgment 3 6 6
May confer with partner 3 6 6
May not override a call 3 6 6 b)
May not wear exposed jewelry Appendix 5 A d)
May rectify calls placing players in jeopardy 3 6 6 c)
Plate Umpire interferes with catcher's attempt
to throw (FP)
5 1 30 b)
Signals Appendix 5 B
UNIFORMS
Incorrect number listed on lineup card 3 2 1 d)
For coaches 2 6
Nonstandard uniform and head covering may
be worn
2 5 1
Players 2 5 1
Umpires Appendix 5 A c)
Withdrawn Player required to change uniform
number
3 2 6 b)
UNREPORTED SUBSTITUTION
3 2 8 and Effect
3 1 9
VISORS 2 5 1 a) ii))
WARMUP BATS
2 3 2
Appendix 2 B
WARMUP PITCHES 4 4
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140
WARMUP PITCHES FOR RELIEVING PITCHER
OR
BETWEEN INNINGS PENALTY (FP) (MP) 4 4 Effect
Being taken in warmup area 2 4 3 a)
WHITE WEBBING, CIRCLE, OR FIGURE ON
GLOVE
2 4 1 d)
WILD PITCH (FP) 5 1 49
Goes out of play 5 11 Effect a) ii) 2)
WILD THROW 5 1 50
WIN, CREDITED TO PITCHER (Scoring) Appendix 6 E
WINDUP (Pitcher’s) (FP) 4 3 2 a)
(MP) 4 3 2 a)
WINNER OF GAME 1 2 7
WITHDRAWN PLAYER 3 1 24
Provisions for use of Replacement Player 3 2 6 a)c)
Required to change uniform number 3 2 6 b)
WRISTBANDS NOT PERMITTED FOR PITCHER 4 3 5 e)
RULE SECTION
ARTICLE
WBSC HEADQUARTERS
Avenue Général-Guisan, 45
CH-1009 Pully | Switzerland
OFFICE
Phone: +41 21 318 8240
Fax: +41 21 318 8241
E-mail: ofc[email protected]g
