Baseball Rules - Solutions

1/ The lineup in the plate umpire's possession is the official batting order. Since that order was followed, the appeal is disregarded. (4.01c)

2/ No. Players already in the lineup may shift positions without advising the umpires, although it is customary to inform the umpire-in-chief so he can have the changes announced to the newspeople and fans.

3/ Yes, the run scored legally. If a player is ejected during the course if a play, the disqualification does not take effect until all action on the play has ended (5.10h, 9.01d).

4/ Yes. Despite the injury, the defensive team has the right to tag the runner before time is called. Umpires cannot rule the ball dead until all action on the play has ended. (5.10h)

5/ He is safe. No play can be made on a runner at that base if the bag becomes dislodged after he has reached it safely. If there is further action on the play, any succeding runner need only occupy or touch the space formerly occupied by the base. (7.08c-Approved Rulings 1-2)

6/ No. Once the umpire-in-chief receives the lineups, the umpires are in charge and become the sole authority on starting play. If an umpire delays the start of a game or suspends play, a 30-minute delay is mandatory before postponement can be declared. (3.10c, 4.01d)

7/ Yes. The home team wins, 4-3. (4.10c-2)

8/ No. The game is wiped off the records. It would have been a legal game only if the home team was winning or had scored the tying run in the incompleted fifth inning. (4.10c-2-3)

9/ The home team wins, 6-5. The two runs scored in the fifth were enough to win, even though the inning was never completed. (4.10c-2)

10/ The final score is 7-3. Since the visitors held the lead entering the inning, the additional runs they scored would count. (4.11d-1-2)

11/ A 3-3 tie. (4.10c-3)

12/ The first pitch to number 6 legalized number 7's double and the pitch to number 5 legalized the sacrifice. Number 7 is the proper batter at the point of appeal, but since he is on third, his turn is passed over and number 8 becomes the proper batter. (6.07c, 6.07-Approved Rulings Play 6)

13/ When an improper batter makes the final out of an inning, the opposing team must appeal before a pitch is made to its first batter of the following half-inning. If this is not done, the actions of the improper batter are legalized and the lead-off man is the first batter in the next inning. (6.07c, 6.07d-2)

14/ The strikeout is charged against the pinch-hitter and credited tom the relief pitcher. A walk would be included in the records of the pinch-hitter and the pitcher who was relieved. (3.03, 10.17b, 10.18h-1-2)

15/ Yes. Retiring the runner to end the inning fulfills the relief pitcher's requirement even though he made no pitches. He may be replaced. (3.05b)

16/ Yes. The umpire erred in calling the pitch too soon. The batter may hit a pitch even though it first touches the ground. (5.03, 7.05a, 2.00 Definition of Ball)

17/ The batter should drop the ball immediately or be called out for interference (for preventing the defense from making a play), which should be the call in this case. If the batter had failed to catch the toss or dropped it immediately, he would be free to try for first. In this play, the catcher goofed but made no actual rule violation in flipping the ball away, but the batter did break a rule by carrying the ball. (6.09b.6.06c)

18/ No. The runner can turn either way, in fair territory or foul, to return to first base. However, this right to immunity is immediately forfeited upon any act which, in the umpire's judgement, indicates the batter-runner will try for second base. (7.08j)

19/ Because the pitch struck the batter on the third strike, he is out and the ball is dead. The runners must return to their bases. A player's fists are not considered a part of the bat (6.05f, 6.08b-Approved Ruling, 2.00-Bunt, Strike)

20/ First of all, with less than two out and first base occupied, the batter was automatically out when he missed the third strike. The runner on first, of course, was free to advance at his own risk since the ball remains in play. The mere fact that the batter, although already out, ran to first base and drew a throw is not cause for a ruling of interference by the batter. The catcher should have known that the batter was out and ignored him. The run counts and the team continues batting with the bases empty and one out. (6.05c, 7.09f)

21/ The batter has been hit by a pitch rather than walked. Therefore the ball is dead, the runner returns to second and the batter is awarded first base. (6.08b, 5.09a)

22/ Only one run counts. The ball is dead as soon as it lodges in the mask. The batter is awarded first base. If this occured with first base occupied and less than two out, the batter would be automatically out. (5.09g, 7.05i, 6.05c)

23/ Since this is a legal delivery, the called ball on the pitch takes precedence. Therefore the batter draws a walk, but the out on the base runner immediately retires the side. (6.08a)

24/ Yes. On a base on balls, the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out. However, the ball remains in play and the moment he steps off the base he can be put out. (6.08a, 7.08c)

25/ No. In this case, although the ball was under the fielder's hand, it could not reasonably be considered to be securely held by hand or glove because it was actually entrapped by the uniform. (2.00-Tag, Catch)

26/ Both runner and batter are out and the side is retired. The runner would have been protected if the infielder had intentionally dropped the ball. In this case he did not touch it until it had struck the ground. (6.05l-Approved Ruling, 7.08e)

27/ The pitcher fielded the ball legally and since his action in tossing the glove to the first baseman violated no rule, the batter would be out. (6.05j)

28/ The batter is not out since the ball no longer is legally "in flight" and therefore was not legally caught. The ball remains in play and the batter can advance at his own risk. (2.00-Catch, In Flight)

29/ The pitch is strike two, the ball is dead, the runner from third scores and the other runners are entitled to advance only one base without liability to be put out. (2.00-Strike, 5.09h)

30/ Yes. If a fielder steps - rather than falls - into a dugout after making a catch, the ball remains in play. Therefore, the runner scored legally. (5.10f)

31/ Yes. A runner who helps a teammate on the base paths - providing the following runner does not pass the preceding runner - is not subject to penalty. There is a penalty, however, if a base coach physically aids a runner. (7.09i)

32/ If the runner had touched second or, in the umpire's judgement, clearly had the base stolen when the glove was tossed, the award should be made from second base. Thus the runner advances two bases and scores. (7.05e)

33/ Yes. When a player is injured while a play is in progress, nothing can be done about the injury until the action is completed. The ball remains alive. (5.02, 5.10c, 7.08c)

34/ Although the batter winds up with just a single instead of a triple, all three runs count. The third out on the appeal did not occur until after the three runners had crossed the plate and consequently the scores are legal. (7.02, 7.10b, 4.09a)

35/ Ordinarily, the runner's position at the time of the throw determines how far he may advance on such a play. In this case, despite his presence at second base, the runner is considered to be on first base because that is the base he must retouch before advancing legally. Therefore, he is placed at third base. (7.05g, 7.05i second note)

36/ On the throw into the dugout, the runner is entitled to third base. However, once the ball is dead, he cannot return to touch a missed base after advancing to and touching a base beyond the missed base. Therefore, an appeal would be valid notwithstanding the runner touching second on his way to third as a result of the awarded bases. The defense can appeal the missed second base as soon as the ball is put back in play. Should they fail to do so, the runner remains at third. (7.02, 7.10a-b-Approved Ruling, 7.05g)

37/ No. The ball becomes dead when it leaves the park and, when the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base after he has touched the next base. To retire the runner, the defensive team must have the pitcher put the new ball in play and throw to first base. The coach, of course, should have remained silent and permitted his player to circle the bases, hoping the opponents would fail to notice this failure to touch first (7.02, 7.10b-Approved Ruling, 7.10b PLAY b)

38/ The runner originally on third, is out, but the second runner remains at third. When two runners converge on a base, both must have actual contact with the bag before it loses its status as a sanctuary. (7.03)

39/ Since the runner has not left "a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged," he has the right to attempt to return to the plate. However, the catcher should have simply ignored him, stepped on the plate before he returned and appealed to the umpire that the runner missed the plate. (7.08a-k)

40/ Yes. The run counts on this freak doubleplay since the third out is not a force out and the runner had crossed the plate before it was completed. (7.02, 4.09a)

41/ Even though no pitch has been made since the double, the umpire should deny the appeal. The rules specify that an appeal must be made before the "next pitch OR any play or attempted play." The pick-off throw constitues a play. (7.10d)

42/ Yes. The runner must touch each base in proper order, whether advancing or returning on the base paths. He was obligated to retouch second and is therefore subject to being retired upon appeal. (7.02, 7.10b)

43/ No. If an appeal develops during the same play in which the third out is made, the appeal takes precedence. In this case, the appeal play is upheld and the batter becomes the "fourth out." Since he never legally advanced to first base, the runs are nullified. (7.10b-Paragraph Beginning "Appeal Plays")

44/ The ball remains in play. Is is a fair ball because it struck the bag and the runner is not out because the batted ball struck him in foul, not fair, territory. (2.00-Fair Ball, 7.08f)

45/ First, the fact that the interference was accidental has no bearing. Normally, the batter is out when he interferes with the catcher, but in this case the retirement of the runner nullifies the interference. Thus the play stands: the runner is out at second and the runner at third remains there. (6.06c)

46/ Someone has to be calle dout for interference. I there are two out, the batter is out and the inning ended. With less than two out, the runner is out. (6.06c, 7.08g)

47/ Unless the waiting batter intentionally interferes with the ball, the umpire should allow the ball to remain in play. A penalty can hardly be invoked against the offensive team because the defensive team failed to handle a throw properly. (3.15)

48/ The batter is out on strikes and the runner is called out because of the interference, giving the catcher an unassisted doubleplay. (7.09a, 7.09f)

49/ No. When a play follows a defensive interference, the manager of the team at bat can either take the penalty or accept the play. Naturally, the manager wants the game-winning play so the interference is ignored. (6.08c)

50/ The runner is safe because the catcher's interference causes a balk to be called on the pitcher, entitling each runner to advance one base, while the batter is awarded first base on the interference. (7.07)

51/ Yes. When a thrown or pitched ball strikes an umpire, the ball remains in play. (5.08)

52/ No. When a fair batted ball strikes any person (other than the players or umpires) authorized to be on the playing field, the ball remains in play. (3.15)

53/ No, he's out. When a base runner collides with an umpire, this does not constitute interference and the ball remians in play. (2.00-Interference-c)

54/ There is a double penalty on the defensive team: a balk and interference. The runner scores on the balk, caused when the first sacker grabbed the pitch, and the batter is awarded first base on the interference, part of the same illegal act. (6.08c, 7.07)

55/ The runs count. The fact that the umpire handled the ball makes no difference; this is the same situation as though he had been struck accidentally by a thrown ball. The ball remains in play (5.08)

56/ No. With first base occupied and less than two out, the batter is automatically out on the missed third strike. Consequently, none of the runners is forced and must be tagged out. (6.05c, 2.00-Force Play)

57/ A double play. When a runner is forced, he loses all right to occupy a base and can be tagged even though he is in contact with the bag. However, in this case, since the base was tagged first it was no longer forced and neither was the runner on third. The runner coming from second is out and so is the batter-runner. (7.08e)

58/ This is a double play on the outs at third and second. Since the second baseman could not catch the ball "with ordinary effort," the umpire did not call Infield Fly. (2.00 Infield Fly)

59/ Since no one touched the ball until it went fair, it is a fair ball and the batter is automatically out. The runner who was tagged is out also becuase the runners advance at their peril in such instances. (2.00-Infield Fly, 6.05e, 7.08c)

60/ An attempted bunt can never be an Infield Fly. Therefore, this was a triple play, the first out coming on the catcher's touching home plate and the next two on subsequent force outs at third and second. (2.00-Infield Fly-Force Play, 7.08e)

61/ Even though an outfielder handles the ball, it remains an Infield Fly. Thus, the batter is automatically out and is ordered off second base. But since the ball remains in play on an Infield Fly, the other runners advanced legally. (2.00-Infield Fly, 6.05e)

62/ There is nothing in the rules defining how high an Infield Fly must go. Since this is neither a line drive nor attempted bunt, the umpire is right in calling it an Infield Fly if he feels it could be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. (2.00-Infield Fly)

63/ No stretch is required when pitching from the set position. However, he must come to a stop after bringing his hands together. If he doesn't, it is a balk. (8.01b, 8.05m)

64/ Yes. A pitcher is not permitted to throw to an unoccupied base from either the windup or set positions unless there is a play at that base. A balk should be called. (8.05l)

65/ First, the balk was nullified when the batter hit safely and all runners advanced at least one base. In this situation, the runner who missed the bag is nevertheless considered to have advanced to second base. Further, the third out was a force play, so no runs could score (8.05-Penalty-Approved Ruling, 7.12)

66/ No. Each runner, including the batter, must advance to cancel a balk call. Here, the umpire moves the runner to third and orders the hitter to bat again. (8.05-Penalty)

Comments and suggestions

: ( 10/26/2003 ).