UNITED STATES SPECIALTY
SPORTS ASSOCIATION
2004 Official Slow Pitch Rule
Book and National By-laws
Official Slow Pitch Softball Rules Adopted,
Published, and Distributed by
UNITED STATES SPECIALTY SPORTS ASSOCIATION
Telephone (321) 939-7640 Fax (321) 939-7647
E-mail: support@usssa.com
www.usssa.com
All
Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in
any form
or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
Copyright © 2004
ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED
UNITED STATES SPECIALTY
SPORTS ASSOCIATION
USSSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman, Executive Director
& CEO
Don DeDonatis, 215 Celebration Place, Suite 180,
Celebration, Florida 34747
Assistant Executive
Directors
Gary Wallick, P.O. Box 660596, Arcadia, CA 91006
Jim Swint, P.O. Box 1985, Hutchinson, KS 67504
National President and
Executive Vice President
Danny Brown, 3861 Burrwood Court, Concord, CA 94521
Executive Vice Presidents
USSSA Slow Pitch Softball
Robert Boudreaux, 108 Innisbrook Dr., Broussard, LA 70518
Rick Fortuna, P.O. Box 1145, Liberty, MO 64068
Mark Linnemann, P.O. Box 75091, Cincinnati, OH 45275
Jim McCarron, 4827 Conduit Rd., Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Ron Neely, P.O. Box 531511, Grand Prairie, TX 75053
Jerry Stout, 215 Celebration Place, Suite 180,
Celebration, Fl 34747
USSSA National Headquarters
Telephone (321) 939-7640
Fax (321) 939-7647
E-mail: support@usssa.com
www.usssa.com
USSSA Insurance Agent
Richard Chappell
Chappell Insurance Agency, Inc.
25807-A Cox Rd., Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone (800) 447-6797
Playing
Rules Committee
CHAIRMAN USSSA SLOW PITCH
SOFTBALL
Rick Robertson, P.O. Box 15791, Baton Rouge, LA 70895
(225) 927-0620
ASSISTANT NATIONAL SLOW
PITCH
UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF
John Hart, 29 Nardone Circle, Abington, MA 02351
(781) 871-0321
ASSISTANT NATIONAL SLOW
PITCH
UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF
Danny Malone, 3617 Bond, Rowlett, TX 75088
(972) 412-0230
ASSISTANT NATIONAL SLOW
PITCH
UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF
Dale McGregor, 19516-63rd. Place N.E.
Kenmore, WA 98028
(425) 481-2005
FOR ALL INQUIRIES PERTAINING
TO PLAYING RULE INTERPRETATIONS
Contact: Rick Robertson (National Slow Pitch
Umpire-In-Chief)
P.O. Box 15791, Baton Rouge, LA 70895,
(225) 927-0620
E-mail: brusssa@bellsouth.net
IF AN UNUSUAL OR
DISPUTED PLAY OCCURS IN A GAME
describe
the incident in detail and send a self-addressed, stamped envelope
for
an answer or interpretation. Should you wish an
OFFICIAL
RULE BOOK, please send $5.50 to help
defray
mailing and handling costs.
PLAYING RULES TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
RULE 2. EQUIPMENT.....................................................................................................................6
RULE 3.
DEFINITIONS...................................................................................................................11
RULE 7. BATTING..........................................................................................................................26
RULE 8.
BASERUNNING...............................................................................................................29
.
USSSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL
The
Slow Pitch Softball Game
Official
Playing Rules
11 Inch, 12 Inch, and 16 Inch Games
Copyright USSSA 1968-2004
NOTE: all new rule changes are screened in gray throughout the rule book.
èThis marking means change
in wording or numbering for clarification only.
NOTE: Use of the word "he" in this publication is
intended to include both the masculine and feminine genders unless otherwise
noted.
Sec. 2. SPECIAL GROUND RULES may be made by tournament Directors when
the field is less than the official minimum dimensions, which are:
A. In 12
inch the radius distance is 300 feet for men.
B. In 16 inch the radius is minimum 250
feet for men and 235 feet for women. No maximum distance is set for the fence.
C. In Women's Class "A" and
"B" the radius distance will be a minimum of 275 feet to a maximum of
325 feet distance for National or World Tournament play. Temporary fences
cannot be used if a permanent outfield fence is present.
D. In Women's Class "C" and
"D," the radius distance will be a minimum of 250 feet to a maximum
of 325 feet fence distance for Regional, National, or World Tournament play.
EFFECT Sec. 2 A-D. It is optional at the State program level that
when an outfield fence or obstruction less than legal radius is of such height
to warrant consideration, a Tournament Director may determine whether or not to
award the batter fewer than 4 bases on a fair batted ball that goes over the
fence.
Sec. 3. THE OFFICIAL DIAMONDS of the field shall be established for 11
inch and 12inch with:
1. Baselines of 65 feet for men, women, and mixed. In the
Men's Programs, 70 foot baselines are optional. EXCEPTION: Men's "A"
World Tournament will use 70 foot baselines; in all other Men's World
Tournament play 65 foot baselines must be used. (Refer to Rule 27 for Men's
Major baselines.)
2. Pitcher's distances of 50 feet for both
men and women.
Sec. 4. THE LAYOUT OF THE FIELD is shown in the accompanying diagram.
First, select the desired location of Home Plate (preferably toward Southwest)
and drive a stake in the ground. This will establish the rear corner of Home
Plate. Fasten a cord to this stake and tie knots at distances of 50, 65, 92 and
130 feet. Place this cord along a line desired, and at the 50 foot marker place
a stake. This will be the middle of the front edge of the Pitcher's Plate.
Further along this cord drive a stake at the 91 foot 11 inch mark. This will be
the outside corner of Second Base. Place the 130 foot marker at the Second Base
stake. Next, take the cord at the 65 foot marker and walk to the right until
the cord it taut, both from Home to First and from Second to First, then drive
a stake. This will mark the outside corner of First Base. The line from Home to
First becomes the First Base Foul Line. Again, taking the cord at the 65 foot
marker, walk across the diamond until the cord is again taut between Second and
Third, and Home and Third. Then drive a stake to establish the outside corner
of Third Base. The line between Home and Third becomes the Third Base Foul
Line. Both the First and Third Base Foul Lines shall be extended to the far
extremities of the Field. Home Plate, First, Second, and Third Bases are all
completely within the established Base Lines, or Diamond.
Sec. 5. BATTER'S BOXES shall be provided on either side of Home
Plate, with the inside line of this Box 6 inches from Home Plate, and parallel
to the sideline. The Batter's Box shall be 5-1/2 feet long, extending 3 feet
forward and 2-1/2 feet toward the rear, measured from the center corner of Home
Plate. The Batter's Box shall be 3 feet wide, thus forming a rectangle of 5-1/2
feet by 3 feet. The lines marking the Batter's Box are considered to be part of
the Batter's Box.
Sec. 6. THE CATCHER'S BOX shall be 10 feet long from the rear
outside corners of the Batter's Box on each side of Home Plate, thus forming a
rectangle 10 feet long and 8 feet 5 inches wide.
Sec. 7. THE THREE FOOT LINE is drawn outside of and parallel to the
First Base Foul Line starting at the outside corner of First Base and extending
halfway toward Home Plate.
Sec. 8. THE COACHES' BOXES shall be established at both First and
Third Bases, 10 feet from and parallel to the Base Lines. They shall be 10 feet
long starting at the outside corners of the Bases and extending toward Home
Plate. The width of the Box shall be 3 feet, thus forming a rectangle 10 feet
long and 3 feet wide.
Sec. 1. DUE TO RAPIDLY
EXPANDING and advanced
technologies of softball equipment, all new equipment introduced to the game of
Slow Pitch Softball must be reviewed and approved by the USSSA Equipment
Performance and Safety Standards Committee. Each item approved shall be tested
for one year. During this time the item can be further evaluated in actual game
playing situations. The USSSA reserves the right to disapprove any equipment
due to failure to meet current safety standards as set by the USSSA Equipment
Performance and Safety Standards Committee.
Sec. 2. THE OFFICIAL BAT shall be round in cross
section, straight in length, and measure not more than 34 inches long including
tape or other grip additions to the bat, and not more than 2-1/4 inches in
diameter at its largest part and its weight shall not exceed 31-1/2 ounces,
including tape or grip addition to the bat. The bat shall have a safety grip of
tape or some other material to facilitate holding the bat during the batter's
swing. The safety grip shall be not less than 10 inches long, nor extend more
than 15 inches from the small end or handle end of the bat. Graphics, including
BPF markings, must be permanent and cannot be decals or any other method that
can be easily removed or added to the bat.
A. THE BAT may be made of hard wood of one
piece, or laminated from sections of hard wood bonded together with adhesive in
such a way that the grain directions of all the pieces are essentially parallel
to the length of the bat.
B. THE
BAT may also be made of aluminum or other metals, fiberglass, graphite, or a
composite material. The bat may be made in pieces from different materials but
must have a closed barrel end and may be modular with interchangeable parts,
subject to additional safety and tampering requirements as set forth in the
standard USSSA Bat Licensing Agreement. The knob portion must be welded, or
mechanically attached to the bat. Only USSSA approved bats, USSSA approved
weighted bats, or USSSA approved bat weight attachments may be used in
loosening up. Nothing such as a donut or fan may be used when loosening up.
C. Authorized bat
manufacturers shall mark their products with the words "Official
Softball" or words to that effect. If the words "Official
Softball" are illegible or it is a Little League bat, the bat should be
declared legal if it is legal in all other respects. When a bat does not meet
the specifications as defined, has flat spots or pronounced dents, or if in the
Umpire's judgment, the bat has been altered, the Umpire shall prohibit the use
of the doubtful bat.
D. The
performance standard for all non-wooden bats will be a Bat Performance Factor (BPF)
of 1.20, or less under the ASTM BPF test as applied under the standard USSSA
Bat License Agreement. A list of those bats licensed and complying with this
standard and therefore legal in USSSA play shall be kept by USSSA and published
and made available by means including, but not limited to, the USSSA Website.
Only bats on the published list will be legal for USSSA play. In addition, no
bat shall be legal in USSSA play unless it is marked "USSSA BPF
1.20"; bats manufactured before January 1, 2004, are to be marked
"1.20 BPF" or BPF 1.20."
E. A
USSSA Director may at any time ask to inspect a bat that has been brought into
the location of a USSSA sanctioned event. The owner and/or user may either:
a)
Allow the Director to inspect the bat and reach a conclusion as to whether or
not the bat might be altered. If, after making the inspection, the Director in
his discretion decides that the bat might be an altered bat, the suspected
offending owner and/or user will be subject to Rule 7, Sec. 2B and either:
i.)
Allow the Director to send the bat to the USSSA Altered Bat Committee and/or
Manufacturer of the bat for a determination as to whether or not the bat is
altered. NOTE: During the time of
the examination of the bat by the Manufacturer/Altered Bat Committee, the
USSSA, by the discretion of the USSSA Altered Bat Committee, may suspend the
suspected offending player pending the decision. If the Manufacturer or the
USSSA Altered Bat Committee determines that the bat has been altered, the
Altered Bat Committee may suspend a first time offender for up to two years
from USSSA play. For a second time offender, any suspension may be up to
lifetime.
ii.)
Accept a one year (up to life for second time offenders) suspension from USSSA
play with no right to appeal.
F. After
examination of a bat to determine if it is altered, the bat shall be returned
to the owner. No owner and/or player altered bat suspensions will occur unless
the bat is determined to be altered.
Sec.
3. A. (USE THROUGH 2004)
THE OFFICIAL BALL to be
used shall be of Softball design with a flat surface. The center or core of the
ball shall be either solid or of Number 1 long-fiber KAPOK, free from seeds and
discoloration, or a mixture of granulated cork impregnated with either natural
or artificial rubber, molded into a sphere and then finish wound with a fine
quality twisted yarn. Or, it may be made of other materials approved by the
USSSA. The cover of selected horsehide or cowhide shall be cemented to the core
and stitched with cotton, linen, or nylon thread in either flat seam or any
concealed stitch type, which gives a flat surface. In the 11 Inch and 12 Inch
program, ball stitching must be either white or blue thread. However, if white
thread is used the trademark, logos, and other imprints shall be of royal blue
indelible ink. Internal composition of core must be clearly imprinted on the
ball, also that the ball is an Official Slow Pitch Softball. The ball must have
the USSSA stamp on it.
1. (USE THROUGH 2004) The 12 inch ball shall have a core wound with a fine quality
twisted yarn to 11-5/8 to 11-3/4 Inches in circumference. The completed ball
shall be 11-7/8 to 12-1/8 inches in circumference and shall weigh between 6 and
7-1/4 ounces. The flat seam style shall have not less than 88 stitches in each
cover and sewed by two-needle method. The molded two-piece softball will be an
authentic facsimile of said two-needle method.
2. (USE THROUGH 2004) The completed 11 inch ball shall be between 10-7/8 to 11-1/8
inches in circumference and shall weigh between 5-7/8 and 61/8 ounces. The
Women's program will use an 11 Inch softball.
3. (USE THROUGH 2004)
A two-piece molded cover
ball in which the cover is bonded to the core and a one-piece molded ball are
approved. The balls must contain facsimile stitching, as specifically approved
by the USSSA and contain the USSSA stamp in indelible blue ink.
4. (USE THROUGH 2004) USSSA licensed softballs will not exceed a COR of 0.47.
5. (USE THROUGH 2004) USSSA licensed softballs shall not exceed a COR of 0.47 and there will
be two compressions allowed as follows: Max Range – 525 pounds and Mid Range –
375 pounds. The compression will be based on the ASTM Test Method for
Compression – Displacement of Baseballs and Softball (F-1888). In addition to
the USSSA stamp and COR, the balls shall be imprinted by the manufacturer as
either Max Range or Mid Range. NOTE:
The ASTM Standard Test for measuring bat performance requires that a 375 pound
compression ball shall be used in the test.
B. (EFFECTIVE
JANUARY 1, 2005) THE OFFICIAL
BALL to be used shall be of a spherical design with a smooth surface. The
center or core of the ball shall be of a material and design traditionally used
to make softballs or other materials or design as approved by the USSSA. The
cover shall be of horsehide, cowhide, or other material approved by the USSSA
and shall be cemented to the core and stitched with cotton, linen, or nylon or
any other material approved by the USSSA. A molded cover ball or a molded ball
without separate cover, or a multiple layer core design or multiple material
core design, may be approved by the discretion of the USSSA on a case by case
basis. The thread shall be in either flat seam or concealed stitch type which
gives a flat surface. The stitch color must be blue. The internal composition
of the core and the material of the cover must be clearly printed on the ball
and the words "Official Slow Pitch Softball" must be clearly printed
on the ball.
1. (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005) Size and weight: The
completed 12" ball shall have a circumference of 12" +/- 1/8"
and shall be 6.6 ounces +/- 0.3 ounces. The seam shall have not less than 88
stitches in each cover, or 88 simulated stitches in molded cover balls. The
completed 11" ball shall be 11" +/- 1/8" in circumference and
weigh 6 ounces +/- 0.2 ounces and shall
otherwise be proportional to the 12" ball. The Women's Program and the
Mixed Program shall use the 11" DISTANCE ball for Women. The Men's Program
shall use the DISTANCE, ELITE, OR MAJORS 12" ball.
2. (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005) Name, Logo, COR, and
Compression 12" Balls. There shall be no COR or compression
information on the ball.
a. THE DISTANCE BALL :
i.)
Shall have a white or optic yellow cover,
ii.)
Shall have "USSSA DISTANCE" in 1/8" minimum letters and a USSSA
logo of at least 1-1/8" diameter,
iii.)
Letters and Logo in gray color, applied to be indelible,
iv.)
COR under ASTM test as applied in the USSSA Standard Ball License Agreement
shall be 46.25 +/- 0.75, and
v.) Compression under the ASTM
test as applied under the USSSA Standard Ball Licensing Agreement shall be 455
+/- 45 pounds.
b. THE ELITE BALL:
i.) Shall have white or optic
yellow cover,
ii.) Shall have "USSSA
ELITE" in 1/8" minimum letters and the USSSA logo of at least
1-1/8" diameter,
iii.) Letters and Logo in blue
color, applied to be indelible,
iv.) COR under ASTM test as
applied in the USSSA Standard Ball License Agreement shall be 43.25 +/- 0.75,
and
v.) Compression under the ASTM
test as applied under the USSSA Standard Ball Licensing Agreement shall be 355
+/- 45 pounds.
c. THE MAJORS BALL:
i.) Shall have a white cover
only,
ii.) Shall have "USSSA
MAJORS" in 1/8" minimum letters and the USSSA logo of at least
1-1/8" diameter,
iii.) Letters and Logo in blue
color, applied to be indelible,
iv.) COR under ASTM test as
applied in the USSSA Standard Ball License Agreement shall be 39.25 +/- 0.75,
and
v.) Compression under the ASTM
test as applied under the USSSA Standard Ball Licensing Agreement shall be 260
+/- 45 pounds.
3. (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005) Name, Logo, COR, and
Compression for 11" balls: There shall be no COR or Compression
information on the ball.
THE DISTANCE BALL:
i.) Shall have a white or optic
yellow cover ONLY,
ii.) Shall have "USSSA
DISTANCE" in 1/8" minimum letters and a USSSA logo of at least
1-1/8" diameter,
iii.) Letters and Logo in blue color, applied to be indelible,
iv.) COR under ASTM test as
applied in the USSSA Standard Ball License Agreement shall be 46.25 +/- 0.75,
and
v.) Compression under the ASTM
test as applied under the USSSA Standard Ball Licensing Agreement shall be 455
+/- 45 pounds.
4. NOTE: TRANSITION RULE: Balls meeting Sec. 3.B. shall not be
legal in USSSA play until October 15, 2004. Balls meeting Sec. 3.A shall not be
legal in USSSA play after March 1, 2005.
5. (EFFECTIVE JANUARY
1, 2005) Mixed Program:
Effective January 1, 2005, the DISTANCE ball shall not be used as the 12"
ball in the Mixed Program.
Sec. 4. THE HOME PLATE shall be made of rubber or other suitable
materials. It shall be a five-sided figure, 17 inches across the front edge of
the Plate facing the Pitcher. The two sides shall be perpendicular to the front
edge and shall be 8-1/2 inches long, extending forward toward the Pitcher's
Plate. The sides of the Plate, from the rear corner, along with the Base line,
shall be 12 inches long and set completely within the Base Lines, where they
form a 90 degree angle with the point pointing toward the Catcher. The Home
Plate is always a part of Fair Territory. The black border that outlines the
plate is NOT to be considered Home Plate.
Sec. 5. THE PITCHER'S PLATE shall be made of rubber or wood. It shall
be 24 inches long and 6 inches wide. The front edge of this plate shall be
centered on the direct line from Home Plate to Second Base. The top of the
Plate shall be level with the flat surface of the ground. The front edge of the
Plate shall be of Legal distance as measured from the extreme rear corner of
Home Plate.
Sec. 6. THE BASES other than the Home Plate, shall be 15
inches square and not more than 3 inches high. They shall be made of canvas
bags, plastic or other suitable materials filled with soft padding. They shall
be WHITE or ORANGE in color. All BASES must be securely fastened at their
designated places.
NOTE:
A Safety Base is
optional. The Safe Base shall be 15 inches by 30 inches and not more than 3
inches high. The Safe Base should be positioned such that the white portion is
located where First Base would be normally be (in Fair Territory) and the
colored portion (red or orange) should be in Foul Territory. Any Batted Ball
hitting the white portion should be fair and any ball hitting the red or orange
portion should be foul. On the initial throw to First Base from the infield or
outfield, the Batter-runner MUST
TOUCH the red or orange portion of the base but not the white.
If legally appealed by the Defense during a live ball situation, the Runner
will be called out. The defensive Player
MUST always touch the white portion. This rule is in effect only on the
initial play at First Base. This does not include:
1. Returning to the base after over running,
2. Running on a base hit to the outfield (Runner may touch the red
or white part), or
3. Re-tag to advance on a fly ball.
EFFECT: If the
Base-Runner uses the orange portion at any time after the first attempt at
First Base and is not in contact with the white portion, then he is considered
off the base.
Sec. 7. LEGALLY ADOPTED GLOVES may be worn by any Fielder.
A. Catchers and First Basemen may wear a glove or mitt of any
size, all other Players are restricted to a finger type glove with the space
between the thumb and forefinger not exceeding more than 4-1/2 inches at the
top. The webbing shall not be constructed to form any type net or tray.
B. Multicolored gloves are legal.
Sec. 8. A SHOE shall be considered legal if it is made
with either leather or canvas uppers or similar materials. The soles may have
soft or hard rubber cleats. Metal cleats are prohibited. Shoe sole or heel
projections other than the standard shoe plate are prohibited. The all-purpose
molded cleat softball shoe is legal. All Players must wear shoes.
Sec. 9. Catchers may wear
MASKS.
EFFECT Sec. 9. TO PREVENT
INJURY it is strongly recommended that all protective equipment be worn.
Sec. 10. UNIFORMS, including similar headpieces or CAPS, when
required, should be adopted using similar colors and materials. If caps are
worn they must be worn with the visor facing forward. Exception: The catcher
while playing defense.
A. All participants in a game should wear
the adopted the TEAM UNIFORM. Managers and Coaches, when on the field should
wear the adopted full Uniform, or a Cap and Jacket, which include the Team's
emblems and colors, to readily identify them as a member of the Team.
Individual numerals on each uniform are optional. NOTE: Refer to By-laws for uniform requirements in National and
higher tournaments.
EFFECT Sec. 10 A. While participating in Tournaments, Players
should be uniformly dressed.
B. All exposed jewelry or items that are
judged to be hazardous or potentially dangerous by the umpire may not be worn
during the game.
C. In all programs, Batting Helmets may be worn by Players/Coaches
at any time.
Sec. 11. EQUIPMENT shall not be allowed to remain on the
playing field during the playing of the game, either on Fair or Foul Territory,
with the exception of an official warm-up bat or official warm-up device which
may be kept in proximity to the on-deck circle during a team's turn at bat.
EFFECT Sec. 11.
A bat dropped by the Batter-Runner in Foul Territory, or any mask, cap, etc.
dropped incidental to making a play will be considered as foreign to the normal
playing area and Foul Ball rulings will be made accordingly.
ALTERED BAT is one
that has had its physical structure changed, including, but not limited to:
1. The bat has had the surface of the barrel or the taper
changed in any way such as by sandpapering or applying a solvent to the surface
such as fingernail polish remover or by any other means,
2. The bat has had the plug or the knob removed/replaced or
changed in any way, and
3. The bat has had
anything removed or added or inserted to the inside or outside of the bat other
than tape at the handle or knob. Other examples of an altered bat would be
changing or replacing manufacturers' markings or replacing the handle of the
metal bat with a wooden handle. Replacing the safety grip with another safety
grip is not considered altering a bat.
NOTE: Cracked, worn, or
damaged bats are not altered bats, but will also be removed from play by
Directors and Umpires. Such cracked, worn, or damaged bats will not result in a
player suspension unless the player returned the offending bat into USSSA play
after it has been removed or the bat is also altered. Paint or lettering wear
shall not result in a bat being considered an altered bat as long as the bat
can be identified and has the appropriate BPF marking. However, the Director or
Umpire may remove from play a cracked, worn, or damaged bat.
APPEAL PLAY refers to a play in which the Umpire cannot
make a ruling until a decision is requested by the Defensive or Offensive Team.
This appeal must be made before the next legal pitch, intentional walk, illegal
Pitcher action, or before all Fielders have left Fair Territory.
BALL refers to a Pitch that does not enter the
Strike Zone in flight, nor conforms to the fairly delivered Pitch stipulations,
and is not struck at by the Batter.
BASE refers to one of the four stations, which
must be touched by a Runner in accordance with the rules that follow, to
legally score a run. The term is most often applied to the bags marking the
designated spots.
BASE PATH refers to an imaginary line 3 feet to
either side of a direct line between two Bases. The Runner is restricted to the
3 foot line in some cases.
BASE ON BALLS permits a Batter to gain First Base,
without liability to be put out and is awarded by the Umpire when three pitches
are adjudged to be balls.
BASE RUNNER OR
RUNNER is a Player of the Team at bat, who has hit a Fair Ball or who has
been awarded First Base for any reason before he is put out.
BATTED BALL refers to any pitched ball that is hit by
the bat or that hits the bat, thus becoming either a Fair or Foul Ball. No
intent to hit the ball is necessary.
BATTER
refers to the Offensive
Player who takes a position in the Batter's Box.
BATTER–RUNNER
is the term identifying the Offensive Player who has just hit a Fair Ball
and applies until he is either put out or until the play on which he became a
Runner is ended.
BATTER'S BOX is the area within which the Batter takes
his position when it is his turn to bat.
BATTING ORDER is the official listing of Offensive
Players in the order in which they must bat.
BENCH OR DUGOUT
is the seating facility reserved for Team members in Uniform when they are
not actively engaged in participating in the game.
BLOCKED
BALL is a Batted or
Thrown Ball that is touched, stopped, or handled by a spectator or person not
engaged in the game, or that touches any object which is not part of the Legal
official equipment, or which hits or goes beyond a designated out-of-play area.
BUNT refers to a Batted Ball not swung at, but
is intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly.
CALLED GAME is one that the Umpire-In-Chief terminates
play for any reason.
CATCH (LEGAL) is the act of a Fielder getting the ball
in flight (Refer to: IN FLIGHT)
securely in possession in his hand or glove and firmly holding it, provided he
does not use his cap, protector, a pocket, or other part of his Uniform, or the
glove not in its normal position on the hand to stop or catch the ball. It is
not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact
with the ball, he collides with a wall, a fence, another person, or if he falls
down and, as a result of any such collision, drops the ball. To establish the
validity of the catch, the Fielder shall hold the ball long enough so the
Umpire is convinced he had complete control of the ball, and any release of the
ball by him was voluntary and intentional. Dropping the ball while attempting
to throw it shall not invalidate the catch.
CATCHER refers to the Defensive Player who takes
his position behind Home Plate.
CATCHER'S BOX is that area where the Catcher must remain
while and until a pitched ball has reached or passed Home Plate, or is Batted.
CHOPPED BALL is a Batted Ball that the Batter strikes
downward so that it hits the ground within the infield, with a deliberate
attempt and downward chopping motion with the bat.
COACH refers to a member of the Team at bat.
Only one Coach is permitted in each Coaches' Box, to direct the Players of his
own Team while batting and running Bases.
CONFERENCE refers to a meeting that takes place
anytime a Team Representative delays the game or requests a suspension of play
for any reason and delivers a message (by any means) to any Player.
DEAD BALL is any ball not in play, or a live ball
that becomes dead during play.
DEFENSIVE TEAM is the Team that is playing Defensively in
the Field.
DOUBLE PLAY is a continuous play by the Defense where
two Offensive Players are legally put out without an intervening play or an
error.
FAIR BALL is a Batted Ball that settles on Fair
Territory between Home Plate and First Base, or Home Plate and Third Base, or
that is over Fair Territory, including any part of First or Third Bases when
bounding to the Outfield, or that first touches any base, other than Home
Plate, or that first touches a Player or Umpire over Fair Territory, or which
first touches the ground or an object in Fair Territory, or over Fair
Territory, beyond First and Third Bases, or that while over and above Fair
Territory passes out of the Playing Field, that is, over and beyond the outside
fence.
FAIR TERRITORY is that part of the Playing Area within
and including the First and Third Base Foul Lines, from the Home Plate to the
bottom of the extreme playing area fence and then extending perpendicularly
upward.
FAKE TAG is making the motions of a tag without the
ball. This may be considered obstruction, and the offender may be ejected.
FIELDER refers to any Player of the Defensive Team
playing in the field.
FLY BALL refers to any ball Batted into the air and
before it strikes some object other than a Fielder.
FORCE OUT refers to when a Runner is tagged by a
Fielder with the ball (while on or off a Base) or a Fielder holds the ball on
the Base to which a Runner is forced to advance before the Runner can reach
that Base and before any succeeding Runner is put out.
FOUL BALL is any Batted Ball that stops or settles
in Foul Territory without first being touched in Fair Territory, or which is
first touched in Foul Territory, or that first touches some out-of-play object
or area in Foul Territory, or that first touches Foul Ground beyond First and
Third Base, or which does not conform to the requirements that would make it a
Fair Ball. NOTE: An untouched Batted Ball that strikes the Pitcher's Plate and
rebounds into Foul Territory where it is touched or stops is a foul ball.
FOUL TIP is a Batted Ball that goes directly from
the bat not higher than the Batter's head, to the Catcher's hands and is
legally caught. First contact from bat must be Catcher's hands.
HOME TEAM is the Team on whose grounds the game is
being played; or, if the game is scheduled on neutral grounds, it is decided by
mutual agreement or a toss of a coin. Home Team bats in the last half of the
innings.
ILLEGAL BAT refers to one that does not meet the
requirement/specifications of Rule 2,
Sec. 2.
ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL is one Batted Fair or Foul by the Batter
when either one or both of his feet are in contact with the ground COMPLETELY
outside the lines of the Batter's Box, or when his foot is in contact with Home
Plate, or when the ball is batted with an Illegal Bat.
ILLEGALLY CAUGHT BALL occurs when a Fielder catches a Batted or
Thrown Ball with a glove, a mask, a cap, or with any part of his clothing
detached from the proper position on the Fielder's body.
IN FLIGHT describes any Batted Ball, a Thrown or
Pitched Ball, which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a
Fielder.
IN JEOPARDY is a term indicating that the ball is live
and in play and that an Offensive Player may be out under these rules.
INFIELD is that portion of the Field within the
Baselines and also includes the areas of the Field normally covered by
Infielders in defensive positions.
INFIELD FLY is a Fair Batted Ball (not a line drive)
that can be caught in flight by an Infielder with ordinary effort. Any
Defensive Player may catch the ball in the Infield Area.
INNING is that portion of a Game within which
teams alternate on Defense and Offense, and each team is allowed three outs
during its time at bat.
INTERFERENCE is an act where Players or others
interfere with a Player's opportunities. There are three types of interference:
A. Offensive Interference – When a Player
interferes with or impedes or confuses a Defensive Player while he is
attempting to make a play. This can occur by either physical or vocal actions.
B. Spectator Interference – Occurs when a
person not engaged in the game touches a live Batted or Thrown Ball which could
prevent a Blocked Ball to occur, or when a person not engaged in the Game
physically interferes with a Player's opportunities.
C. Umpire Interference – Occurs when a
Fair-Batted Ball strikes the Umpire on Fair Ground before passing a Fielder
other than the Pitcher.
LEGAL TOUCH – Refer to TAG for details.
LINE DRIVE is a Fly Ball that is batted sharply and
directly into the Playing Field. NOTE:
A Line Drive should never be considered an Infield Fly.
LIVE
BALL occurs when the
Umpire signals Play Ball. The ball remains live until the ball becomes dead for
any reason as stated in these rules.
MANAGER
refers to a person
appointed by the Team to be responsible for the Team's actions on the Field.
Also, the Manager represents the Team when communicating with the Umpire and
the opposing Team. A Player may be designated as a Manager.
OBSTRUCTION