The On-Deck batter shall position themselves in the on-deck circle/area closest to her dugout while warming up.
Prior to the 1st inning and in between innings the only players permitted to be on field warming up are the batter due up to bat in the inning and the on-deck batter. All other players must remain in the dugout area.
During her time in the on-deck circle/area the on-deck batter may not have more than two legal bats.
EFFECT: 1st offense shall be a warning issued to the Head Coach. Any subsequent violation shall result in the Head Coach being ejected.
The batter must position herself completely within the batter's box within 10vseconds of the pitcher receiving the ball. The batter must remain completely within thevbatter's box until the pitch is released.
EFFECT: If the batter does delays, the ball is dead. A strike is charged to the batter, and if this pitch is the third strike, the batter is declared out.
After taking her position in the batter's box and the pitcher is in the pitching position on the pitcher's plate the batter shall not vacate the batter's box unless granted “Time” by the game official.
EFFECT: The batter may have a strike delivered unless a suspension of play is granted by the game official. If play is not suspended and a legal pitch is delivered it will be called a strike or ball dependent upon pitch location.
After the pitcher has taken or simulated taking a signal and after she has brought her hands together in front of her body and separated her hands the batter shall not vacate her position in the batter's box.
EFFECT: If the batter steps out of the box, holds up her hand or uses any other action as if requesting time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a ball or strike, depending upon the location of the pitch. The ball remains live. If the pitcher stops or hesitates in her delivery as a result of the batter stepping out of the box, holding up her hand or using any other action as if requesting time, it shall not be an illegal pitch. Since both the pitcher and batter have violated the rule, “No pitch” shall be declared. If the official judges the batter's action to be a deliberate attempt to create an illegal pitch, the ball is dead, “No pitch” is called, and all subsequent action on that pitch is canceled. A warning shall be issued to the batter and to the offending team. A repeat of this type of act by any member of the team warned shall result in the offender being ejected from the game.
When the batter makes contact with her bat to the ball she may not have either foot completely on the ground outside the batter's box.
EFFECT: The plate official shall signal a delayed dead ball. The defensive coach shall be given the option of taking the result of the play or having a strike charged to the batter and all base runners returning to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
A fair ball is a legally batted ball that:
- Shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not with respect to the position of the fielder (on fair or foul ground) at the time the ball is contacted.
- Settles on or is contacted on or over fair territory between home plate and first base, or between home plate and third base.
- Is in fair territory when a runner, who is in fair territory, interferes with a defensive player's attempt to field a batted ball.
- While on or over fair territory, contacts a player, game official, or their attached equipment or clothing.
- Contacts first, second or third base, unless a fielder or runner previously touched it while the ball was in foul territory
- Bounces over or past first base or third base regardless of where the ball hits after passing the base.
- First falls or is first contacted on or over fair territory beyond first or third base.
- While in flight, contacts the foul pole or while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field beyond the home run fence.
NOTE: A batted ball signaled fair may be changed to foul if additional information provided to the calling official is accepted.
A foul ball is a legally batted ball that:
- Shall be determined according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not with respect to the position of the fielder at the time the ball is contacted.
- Goes directly from the bat to any part of the catcher or her equipment other than her hand or gloved hand
- Is in foul territory when a base runner interferes with a defensive player's reasonable chance to make a play on the ball.
- First falls or is contacted on or over foul territory beyond first or third base
- Rolls or bounds past first base or third base on or over foul territory.
- Settles untouched on, or first touches/is touched by a fielder or game official, either of their attached equipment or clothing, accidentally by a base runner or her equipment/clothing, or any object foreign to the natural playing surface on or over foul territory between home plate and first base or home plate and third base, even if the batted ball first rolled against the discarded bat or hit the ground in fair territory including the pitcher's plate and home plate.
- Accidentally comes into contact with the batter-runner or her bat (held or dropped) whether or not the batted ball first touches the dirt, pitcher's plate or home plate, while the ball is in foul territory and judged by the official as not having a chance to become fair.
- Accidentally contacts the bat a second time, whether or not the batted ball first touches the dirt, pitcher's plate or home plate, while the bat is still in the batter's possession and she is still in the batter's box.
- Accidentally touches the batter, or touches the dirt, pitcher's plate or home plate and then the batter, while she is still in the batter's box.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, it is a strike on the batter if she has fewer than two strikes or is attempting a bunt, and base runners must return to the bases held at the time of the pitch, if not called out for interference. EXCEPTION : In (Sub f and Sub d) if the first touch is by a fielder on a ball in flight that is legally caught the ball is live, the batter is out and base runners may advance with liability to be put out after tagging up.
Note: A called foul ball may not be made live.
A foul tip is a ball that travels directly from the bat to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught.
Note: Any batted ball that travels directly from the bat, to any part of the catcher or her equipment other than the hand(s) or glove/mitt, is a foul ball and dead. It is not a foul tip.
A foul tip is a live ball treated the same as a non contacted pitch. Base runners may advance with liability to be put out and are not required to tag up.
EFFECT: The ball is live, a strike is charged to the batter, and each base runner may advance with liability to be put out. The batter is out if it is the third strike.
The Strike zone. The strike zone is the area over home plate between the batter's forward armpit and the top of her knees when she assumes her natural batting stance. The top of the ball must be on or within the horizontal plane, and either side of the ball must be on or within the vertical plane of the strike zone to be a strike unless the ball touches the ground before reaching home plate.
The pitch shall be judged to be a strike or a ball as it crosses home plate, not where it is caught by the catcher, and in relation to the batter's natural position as the pitch crosses home plate.
Called Ball. A ball is recorded to the batter when a legal pitch that is not struck at by the batter does not enter the strike zone on the fly, touches the ground before reaching home plate or touches home plate.
Note: If a pitch strikes the ground in front of the batter and the batter swings at it, the ball is in play if hit and a strike if missed.
EFFECT: The ball is live, and base runners may advance with liability to be put out.
At the time an illegal pitch is declared and the pitch is not contacted, swung at, or if it is hit and the team does not elect to take the results of the play.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled and illegal pitch is enforced
When the pitcher commits a timing violation and fails to deliver the ball to the batter in the allotted time.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter is awarded a ball.
For each warm up pitch in excess of five pitches.
EFFECT: A ball is awarded to the next batter or batters for every excessive warm up pitch.
When the catcher does not directly return the ball to the pitcher after a pitch not contacted or a foul tip.
EFFECT: Rule 7-11-1 Effect
A called strike is charged to the batter when:
- For each legally pitched ball that is swung at by the batter and missed.
- For each legally pitched ball that enters the strike zone without first touching the ground.
- For each foul tip
- For each foul ball when the batter has less than two strikes.
- When the batter bunts foul after the second strike.
- Each pitch that contacts the batter while the ball is in the strike zone.
- Each batted ball that contacts any part of the batter or her clothing when she is in the batter's box and has less than two strikes.
- Each pitch that contacts any part of the batter as she swings and misses.
- When the batter fails to take her position within the batter's box within 10 seconds after the pitcher receives the ball in preparation to pitch or after being directed to by the plate official.
- When a team representative, personnel or player of the offense intentionally removes, or covers with infield material, any required lines on the field or intentionally covers the pitcher's plate or home plate.
EFFECT: The ball is live, and each base runner may advance with liability to be put out. The batter is out if it is the third strike
EFFECT: The ball is dead, and each base runner must return, without liability to be put out, to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: If the bunt attempt is caught in the air, the ball is live. If the bunt attempt results in a foul ball not legally caught, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. No pitch has to be thrown. Each base runner must remain on the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. A strike shall be called on the batter if the offense violates the rule, and a ball shall be awarded to the batter if the defense violates the rule. In addition, the official shall issue a warning to the offending team. Subsequent violation by the same team shall result in an ejection of the offender
A slap is a form of hit that occurs when a ball is batted with a short chopping motion as opposed to a full swing.
A bunt is a legally batted ball not swung at but intentionally tapped into the infield with the bat.
- Leaving the bat in the strike zone shall be declared an attempted bunt. For the batter to take a pitch the bat shall be removed or pulled backward away from the ball and zone.
- With fewer than two strikes, the batter's attempt to bunt results in a foul ball not legally caught, it is a strike, and the ball is dead. With two strikes, the batter is declared out, and the ball is dead.
- With two strikes and a missed bunt attempt the dropped third strike rule is in effect.
- A bunt that is caught in the air remains live and in play, regardless of the number of strikes on the batter, and whether it is fair or foul.
A checked wing occurs when the batter attempts to stop the action of hitting or slapping the ball. A batter attempting to avoid being hit with a pitch as opposed to attempting to hit, slap, or bunt it shall not be subject to the checked swing.
A pitch should be called a strike when it is in the strike zone, regardless of whether the batter checked her swing.
A pitch should be called a ball when:
- The swing is checked and the pitch did not enter the strike zone or did not contact the bat.
- The plate official is in doubt regarding a checked swing or blocked out.
If the plate official calls the pitch a ball and the defense requests help, the plate official shall ask for help. If anyone else (on either offense or defense) asks for help, the official may (but is not required) to ask for help.
If an out is declared on the bases in addition to an out on a properly appealed checked swing, the checked swing out is assessed before the out on the bases.
NOTE: Indicators officials should look for when determining if a batter has swung at the ball or checked the swing: (1) Did she make an attempt to hit/bunt/slap the pitch? (2) Was the barrel of the bat out in front of her front hip? (3) Did she roll her wrists?
The batting order provided to game officials at the pre-game meeting shall be constant throughout the game with the exception of players legally substituted.
The first batter listed on each team's lineup card shall lead off her respective team's half of the first inning. After the first inning, the first (lead-off ) batter in each inning shall be the player whose name trails that of the last batter who completed her full turn at bat in the preceding inning. If the third out in an inning is made before a batter concludes her turn at bat, she shall be the first batter up in the next inning, and she shall start with a 0-0 count.
A player is batting out of order when she fails to bat in proper sequence as listed on the official lineup card.
Batting out of order is an appeal play that may be made only by the defensive team. The defensive team loses its right to appeal batting out of order after one pitch has been made to the following batter or when the pitcher and all infielders have clearly vacated their normal fielding positions and have left fair territory.
The effect for batting out of order varies depending upon when the infraction is reported to the plate official.
EFFECT: If the error is reported during the time the improper batter is at bat, the correct batter may take her place and legally assume any balls and strikes. Any runs scored or bases advanced while the improper batter was at bat shall be legal. If the error is reported after the incorrect batter has completed her turn at bat and prior to a pitch being delivered to the following batter, or before the pitcher and all infielders clearly have vacated their normal fielding positions and have left fair territory: (a) the player who should have batted is out; (b) all results because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter's advance to first base as a result of obstruction, an error, a hit batter, walk, dropped third strike or a base hit shall be nullified; (c) the next batter is the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing to bat; (d) if the batter declared out under these circumstances is the third out, the correct batter in the next inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing to bat; and (e) if the third out is made on a player before the report of the infraction, an appeal may still be made in order to reinstate the correct batting order. If the error is reported after the first pitch to the next batter or after the pitcher and all infielders clearly have vacated their normal fielding positions and have left fair territory: (a) the turn at bat of the improper batter is legal; (b) all runs scored and bases run are legal; and (c) the next batter is the player whose name follows that of the player who batted out of order.
NOTE: The offensive team may correct an error of an improper batter prior to the improper batter completing their at bat without penalty. No base runner shall be removed from the base she is occupying to bat in her proper place (except the batter who has been taken off the base by the plate official as in the effect above). She simply misses her turn at bat with no effect. The batter trailing her in the batting order becomes the legal batter. 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.
A dropped third strike occurs when there are two outs or less than two outs and first base is unoccupied and the catcher does not catch a third strike prior to the ball contacting the ground.
EFFECT: The ball is live, the batter becomes a batter-runner with liability to be put out. Base runners may advance with liability to be put out.
On a dropped third strike the batter is entitled to attempt to first base and the pitched ball contacts and bounces off the catcher and contacts the dropped bat.
EFFECT: The ball is live and all base runners including the batter runner are entitled to advance with the liability of being put out.
The batter shall not after contacting a fair ball contact the bat a subsequent second time in fair territory.
EFFECT:
1. If the batter is still in possession of the bat when the ball is contacted a second time and the batter is in the batter's box, the ball is dead, a foul ball is ruled, and each base runner shall return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
2. If the batter is still in possession of the bat when the ball is contacted a second time and the batter is out of the batter's box, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and each base runner shall return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
3. If the bat is out of the batter's possession (on the ground), the ball rolls against the dropped bat in fair territory and, in the official's judgment, there was no intent to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is live. If it stops or is touched in fair territory, it is a fair ball. If the ball touches the dropped bat in fair territory and then rolls to foul ground and stops, it is a foul ball. If the ball rolls against the dropped bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball regardless.
4. If the bat is out of the batter's possession (dropped or thrown) and it contacts the ball in fair territory, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and each base runner shall return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch NOTE: If the bat breaks and any part of it contacts a batted ball, a fielder, or a base runner no interference has occurred and the ball shall remain live. If the catcher trips over a legally discarded bat no interference has occurred and the ball shall remain live.
A batter shall not intentionally interfere or hinder the catcher in her attempt to catch a third strike or intentionally contact a ball in foul territory.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter shall be declared out and all base runners shall return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
A batter shall not swing, miss a pitch and then accidentally contact the pitch on the follow through or after it bounces off the catcher.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, the pitch is declared a strike and if it is the third strike the batter is out. If the pitch is not the third strike the batter shall remain at bat and all other base runners shall return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
A batter is awarded first base when a pitch, neither swung at nor called a strike, contacts the batter or her clothing. No attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch is required; however, the batter may not intentionally move to get hit by the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is declared dead and the batter is awarded first base. Other base runners may not advance unless forced.
NOTES: (1)If the ball contacts the ground prior to hitting the batter it shall still be a hit by pitch. (2) In no scenario are the batter's hands considered part of the bat. (3) If the batter swings, bunts, or slaps, and the ball contacts her hands which results in the ball being put into fair or foul territory a dead ball shall be declared and a strike assessed to the batter. If this would be strike three the batter is declared out.
The batter shall not be awarded first base if:
- The batter is hit by a pitch that she intentionally moves to get hit by.
- The batter is hit by a pitch that was in the strike zone.
- The pitch contacts the batter's person or clothing as she is swinging, slapping, or bunting and the ball is put into play or missed.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and is a ball or strike dependent upon its location. The batter remains at bat unless the pitch was strike three or ball four.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter is charged with a strike. Each base runner shall return to the base they legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and a strike is assessed to the batter. If the strike is strike three the batter is declared out.
After the ball is contacted by the bat the ball shall not come into contact with any part of the batter's person or clothing/equipment.
- The batter is in the batter's box when the ball contacts her person or clothing/equipment and the ball is foul or fair.
- The batter is out of the batter's box when the ball contacts her person or clothing/equipment and the ball is foul.
- The batter is out of the batter's box when the ball contacts her person or clothing/equipment and the ball is fair.
EFFECT: Foul Ball shall be declared.
EFFECT: Foul Ball shall be declared.
EFFECT: A dead ball shall be declared and the batter is out.
The infield fly rule is in effect when declared by game officials because the batter hits a fair fly ball (excluding a line drive or an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with a reasonable amount of effort when first and second base or all three bases are occupied, and there are fewer than two outs.
EFFECT: The ball is live. The batter-runner is out if the batted ball is fair. Each base runner may tag up and advance with the liability to be put out once the batted ball is touched, the same as on any caught fly ball. If a declared infield fly is dropped intentionally or allowed to fall untouched, the ball is live, the batter-runner is out, which removes all force plays, and each base runner may advance with liability to be put out. A base runner need not retouch her base.
NOTE: The infield fly is ruled when the ball reaches its highest point and based on the position of the closest infielder, regardless of who makes the play. If a declared infield fly becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared infield fly ball falls untouched to the ground in foul territory and rolls into fair territory before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly.
An Illegally Batted Ball occurs when the batter contacts the pitch with an illegal bat.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. The batter shall be declared out immediately, whether the ball is fair or foul. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. In the case of an illegal bat the offender and head coach shall be ejected.
An Illegally Batted Ball occurs when any part of the batter's feet are in contact with the plate at the time contact is made with the ball.
An Illegally Batted Ball occurs when one or both of the batter's feet are on the ground completely out of the batter's box at the time contact is made with the ball.
EFFECT (Sec 2-3): The plate official shall signal a delayed dead ball. The defensive coach shall be given the option of taking the result of the play or having a strike charged to the batter and all base runners returning to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
An intentionally dropped fair fly ball is a batted ball that is legally caught and then subsequently deliberately dropped. A ball that is trapped or guided to the field shall not be considered as having been intentionally dropped.
An infielder may not intentionally drop a fair fly ball, a bunt, or a line drive when there are less than two outs and there are any base runners.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter is declared out. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. Exception: The batter is not out if the infielder permits the ball in flight to drop untouched to the ground, except when the infield fly rule applies. If an infield fly is ruled, it has precedence over an intentionally dropped ball.
Interference is an act that denies or inhibits a defensive player a reasonable opportunity to make a play (fielding or throwing) anywhere on the field of play. Interference may be intentional, unintentional, physical, or verbal.Interference can be caused by offensive players (batter, runner, on-deck batter), coaches, game officials, nongame personnel, and or spectators. Interference may also be caused by the offensive team in its entirety due to loose equipment belonging to them.
EFFECT: When the batter causes interference, the ball is dead, the batter shall be declared out, and all base runners must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. When a base runner is called out for interference, the batter runner is awarded first base.
The on-deck batter or offensive team personnel may not interfere with the defensive player's reasonable opportunity to make a play on a batted ball. This would include offensive team personnel reaching out of the dugout or entering the field.
EFFECT: If the interference is with a defensive player attempting to make a play on a batted ball, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
The batter shall not step from one batter's box, directly in front of the catcher, to the other batter's box while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled. The defensive team shall choose either the result of the play or the batter is out and each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
The batter shall not hinder the catcher or any other fielder from catching or throwing the ball by moving out of the batter's box, or intentionally moving to hinder a player while standing within the batter's box.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled. The defensive team shall have the choice of either the result of the play or the batter is out and each base runner must return to the last base that, in the official's judgment, was legally contacted at the point interference occurred. Exceptions: (1) If a base runner is advancing to home plate and there are less than two outs, the base runner, instead of the batter, shall be declared out. (2) If the batter strikes out and, while remaining in the batter's box, interferes with the catcher's attempt to play on a base runner, the base runner also is out. (3) If the catcher is not making a play on a base runner but the batter or official interferes with the catcher's return throw to the pitcher and the base runner, consequently, advances safely, the official should suspend play and return each base runner to the base occupied at the time of the accidental interference.
CLARIFICATION:
1. If the catcher or her throw to a base hits the batter or her bat while the batter is in the batter's box, the ball is live and there is no interference unless the contact is intentional and initiated by the batter.
2. The batter's box is not a sanctuary for the batter when a play is being made at home plate.
After being declared out the batter shall not interfere with the defense's opportunity to make a play on another runner.
EFFECT: Delayed dead ball is signaled. The defensive team shall choose either the result of the play or the base runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference shall also be declared out. In addition, each other base runner must return to the last base legally touched at the time of the interference. If the batter strikes out and remains in the batter's box when she interferes with the catcher's attempt to throw out a base runner, the ball is dead and the base runner being played on, not the runner closest to home plate, is also out.
The batter may not swing and miss a pitch and then intentionally hit it on a second swing or after it bounces off the catcher or her glove/mitt.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter shall be declared out. Base runners must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
The batter shall not:
- Throw the bat into fair or foul territory, or hits the catcher and the bat subsequently interferes with a defender trying to make a play.
- Throw the bat in a manner which could endanger any player or game official.
EFFECT: Interference. Delayed dead ball is signaled. The defensive team shall choose either the result of the play or the batter is out and each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. If, in the official's judgment, interference prevented a double play, two outs may be declared.
EFFECT: Interference. Delayed dead ball is signaled. For a first violation, the offending team is warned. For any subsequent violation by the same team, the offender is ejected from the game. The offended coach is given the option of either the results of the play or the batter being declared out and base runners shall return to the last base occupied at the time of the pitch. If, in the official's judgment, interference prevented a double play, two outs may be declared.
The batter is out when she:
- Any offensive team personnel (excluding base runners) or the on deck batter interferes with the defense making an attempt to catch a fly ball.
- Enters the batter's box with an illegal bat.
- The offense bats out of order and the defense properly appeals.
- The batter throws the entire bat into fair territory, and it interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play.
- A batted ball hits the batter, or hits the dirt or home plate and then hits the batter when the batter is out of the batter's box, and the batted ball is considered fair.
- The batter hits a fair ball and subsequently contacts the ball a second time with the bat in fair territory.
- The batter swings and misses a pitch and then intentionally hits it on a second swing or after it bounces off the catcher or her glove/mitt.
- With 2 strikes the batter bunts a pitched ball foul.
- The batter foul tips on strike three.
- The catcher catches a swinging or called third strike.
- The catcher does not catch a third strike before the ball contacts the ground when first base is occupied and there are less than two outs.
- As a batter swings and misses for strike three and the pitch contacts her hands, body, or clothing.
- With two strikes, the batter intentionally moves to get hit by a pitch in the strike zone or the batter is contacted by a pitch in the strike zone.
- The batter hinders the catcher or any other fielder from catching or throwing the ball by moving out of the batter's box, or intentionally moving to hinder a player while standing within the batter's box.
- The batter steps from one batter's box, directly in front of the catcher, to the other batter's box while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and all runners shall return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter is declared out. The offender and the head coach are ejected.
EFFECT: Rule 8-9-5-Effect.
EFFECT: 8-11-1-Effect 4.
EFFECT: The ball is dead. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
EFFECT: Rule 8-11-1-Effect 2.
EFFECT: Rule 8-11-3-Effect.
EFFECT: Rule 8-6-8-Sub e Effect.
EFFECT: The ball is live. Base runners may advance without tagging but with liability to be put out.
EFFECT: The ball remains live, base runners may advance with the liability to be put out.
EFFECT: Rule 8-6-8- Sub h Effect.
EFFECT: Rule 8-12-1-Effect.
EFFECT: Rule 8-18-2-Effect.
EFFECT: Rule 8-18-1-Effect