Dedicated to good sportsmanship and fair play.

Think You Know Baseball? [See Quiz Below]	Baseball
2010 NFHS   Rules  Changes	2010 NFHS Rules Interpretations	Southern Tier Teener League

Adult Baseball:
If you are umpiring or playing adult baseball there are some special rules for those games. Please go to: WWW.MSBLNATIONAL.COM to makes sure you are aware of all rules that are specific to this level.

2010 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 6, 2009) — The clarification of baseball bat specifications was among four rules adjusted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee at its annual meeting June 7-9 in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. 

A change to Rule 1-3-2 regarding bat specifications was made in the hope it will clarify bat compliance. The rule, which will be effective January 1, 2012, specifies that the bat should be a “smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap to the top of the knob.”

“The committee was looking to clarify the rule and make the purchase of bats an easier process,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “We want to make sure that kids and parents know what is permissible.”

The change will also require that all non-wood bats meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, which is the standard used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Formerly, non-wood bats had to meet the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) standard.

The new rule also states that non-wood bats must be labeled with a rectangular certification mark “a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.” The new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities.

“After working with the NCAA and having access to its research, we’ve concluded it’s in our best interest to make this change,” Hopkins said. “BBCOR includes the BESR standard, so we’re actually expanding upon our current standard, which will be more appropriate for our age and skill level.”

Another major rule addition applies to assistant coaches and their behavior during the game. Rule 3-3-1g6 prohibits any member of the coaching staff who is not the head coach from leaving “the vicinity of the dugout or coaching box to dispute a judgment call by an umpire.” The penalty for this infraction is that both the head coach and the offending coach will be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. If severe enough, the umpire also has the authority to eject the offending coach and/or the head coach.

The intention of this change is to cut down on the disruptive and counterproductive behavior of assistant coaches. It also reinforces to head coaches that they are responsible for their staff and players.

“The committee found that assistant coaches were taking license with their roles and becoming disruptive,” Hopkins said. “By doing that, they’re sending the wrong message to their players. It’s one thing to ask the official for a clarification, but it’s another to challenge and charge an umpire. We cannot and will not allow that.”

A clarification was made to Rule 1-2-4 concerning the temporary extension of dugouts. The modified rule explains that when the dugout is to be temporarily extended, it shall be extended toward the outfield and not toward home plate.

The final adjustment was made to Rule 7-4-1f, concerning the instances when a batter will be declared out. The change reads that the batter is out if “any member of the offensive team or coach other than the runner interferes with a fielder who is attempting to field a foul fly ball.” The addition of the phrase “other than the runner” clarifies the responsibility of the runner and that the runner — not the batter — will be declared out for the runner’s interference.

“Previously, it just wasn’t fair to the batter,” Hopkins explained. “If the runner interferes with the defense, it’s not the batter’s fault. It was the runner who created the infraction, so the runner will be called out.”

Baseball is the fourth-most popular sport among boys at the high school level with 478,029 participants during the 2007-08 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. It also ranks third in school sponsorship across the nation with 15,720 participating schools.

2010 NFHS Baseball Rules Interpretations

Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2010

SITUATION 1: While in the set position, F1 has his pitching hand hanging straight down in front of his body, stationary, as he gets the sign from the catcher. RULING: The use of the “gorilla” stance in the set position is legal provided the arm is not moving. The batter, runner(s) on base, and coaches are able to view the pitcher and the ball and are not placed at a disadvantage. (6-1-3)

SITUATION 2: While in the set position, F1 has his pitching hand hanging straight down in front of his body, swinging back and forth, as he gets the sign from the catcher. RULING: This is not legal and is an illegal pitch or a balk if there are runners on base. While this “gorilla” stance is legal if the pitching hand is stationary, it is illegal if the arm is swinging back and forth. (6-1-3)

SITUATION 3: While in the set position, F1 has his pitching arm resting on his thigh and his pitching hand is at rest in his lower abdominal area. RULING: This is illegal. Having his pitching hand at rest in this area gives the offense little to no visibility of the baseball and action by the pitcher. (6-1-3)

SITUATION 4: R1 is at third base and is taking his lead a few feet down the line in foul ground. B2 hits a sharp ground ball that hits third base and caroms off the base and (a) hits R1 accidentally, or (b) R1 intentionally moves so that he is hit by the fair ball. RULING: In (a), the ball remains live and in play. In (b), the ball is dead, R1 is out for his interference and other runner(s) are returned to the base they occupied at the time of the interference. B2 is awarded first base. (8-4-2k, 2-5-1e)

SITUATION 5: R1, with one out, is on second base and is off with the pitch as B2 hits a high foul fly ball near third base. As F5 moves in foul territory in an attempt to catch the foul fly, (a) R1 runs into him or (b) the head coach does not vacate his position in the coaching box and F5 contacts him in his attempt. RULING: In both situations this is interference and the ball is immediately dead. In (a), R1 is declared out and in (b), B2 is declared out and R1 is returned to second base. (7-4-1f)

SITUATION 6: R1, on second base, rounds third and runs into F5 as he attempts to field a foul fly ball. This action occurred with (a) a count of 1-1; (b) a count of 1-2; or (c) two outs. RULING: In all three instances, R1 is out for his interference. In (a), the batter returns to bat with a count of 1-2 and in (b), the batter returns to bat with a count of 1-2 as the pitch is treated as a foul for the batter’s count. In (c), B4 will lead off in his team’s next offensive half-inning. (7-4-1f)

SITUATION 7: B1 lays down a bunt that is fielded by F2 in fair territory a few feet in front of home plate. As B1 is 60 feet from home base, he is running outside the running lane with one foot completely in fair ground and not touching the lines of the running lane. F2 fields the ball and (a) attempts to throw to first but throws high into right field as he tries not to hit B1, or (b) does not attempt a throw. RULING: B1 is required to be in the running lane the last 45 feet to first base when the ball is fielded and thrown from an area behind him. In (a), this is interference and B1 is out and the ball is declared dead. In (b), since there was no throw, there is no interference. F2 is not required to hit B1 to demonstrate that B1 is out of the running lane, but a throw must be made for the interference to be declared. (8-4-1g)

SITUATION 8: F1, while on the pitcher’s plate in either the windup or set position, (a) adjusts his cap, or (b) shakes off the signal with his glove, or (c) shakes off the signal with his head. RULING: In (a), (b) and (c) these are legal actions, provided these movements of the arms and legs were not associated with the pitch. (6-1-1, 6.1.2D case book)

SITUATION 9: R1, on third base, attempts to score on a squeeze play. B4 attempts to bunt, but misses the pitch and F2 comes up with the ball and gets R1 in a rundown between third and home. F2 eventually attempts to throw R1 out at third, but makes a bad throw into left field. R1 steps on third, but his momentum takes him several steps down the foul line behind third base. R1, seeing the bad throw, turns, misses third base as he advances to home. After R1 has touched home plate and enters the dugout, the defense calls “Time” and verbally appeals R1 missing third. RULING: R1 is out on the valid defensive appeal. R1 must touch third base again on his way to home plate. (8-2-1, 8-2-6c)

SITUATION 10: The visiting team is wearing “quarterback-style” wristbands that have defensive plays listed under a Velcro flap. The pitcher is wearing a black wristband down near his fielding glove. The home coach claims that the wristbands are illegal, and all players must take them off. RULING: Provided the wristbands are not dangerous, they are legal. If the plate umpire judges the wristband worn by the pitcher to be distracting, he would need to remove it. Otherwise, it is legal for the pitcher as well. (1-5-9, 6-2-1f, penalty)

SITUATION 11: R1 is on third and R2 on first with one out. B4 hits a sinking line drive to center field. R1 tags properly and goes home, while R2 is off with the hit. F8 makes a great catch. R2 is beyond second base as F8 throws back to first in an attempt to double up R2. The ball goes into the dugout with R2 still between second base and third base. R2 touches second base and goes back to touch first base. RULING: The ball is dead and R1’s run will count. R2 will be awarded two bases from the base he had at the time of the pitch (first base), so he will be awarded third base. If the defense properly appeals R2 being beyond second base at the time the ball went dead, R2 will be declared out. R1’s run would still count. (5-1-1g-3, 8-2-5, 8-2-6d-1, 8-4-2q)

SITUATION 12: With no outs, B1 has a 2-1 count when his nose begins to bleed. He is not able to get it stopped and as a result cannot finish his at-bat. The team has no substitutes available. His coach believes that the batter next up in the order can assume his count. RULING: B2 cannot assume B1’s count. With no substitutes available, B1 is declared out and B2 will come to bat with one out. An out will be called each time that spot in the batting order comes to bat. When an eligible substitute becomes available, the team may return to playing with nine players. (4-4-1f, Note 1, Note 2)

SITUATION 13: R1 is on third and R2 is on second with no outs. Both runners attempt a double steal. As R1 gets into a rundown between home and third, R2 advances and stays on third base. With R2 on third base, R1 commits interference during the rundown. RULING: The ball is dead immediately. R1 is declared out for the interference. R2 will be kept at third base since he had legally reached third at the time of the interference. (8-2-9, 8-2-8)

SITUATION 14: With R1 on third base and no outs, B2 hits a pop fly in fair territory in front of home plate. The catcher misses the ball completely, never touching it, and the backspin on the ball causes it to move back toward home where it strikes R1 in fair territory. The ball continues to move into foul ground, where it comes to rest. The offensive head coach claims R1 is not out since the batted ball “passed” an infielder. RULING: The ball is dead immediately and R1 is declared out for being contacted by a fair batted ball. B2 is awarded first base. The action of the ball in this situation is not considered to be “passing” an infielder. Had the ball contacted R1 in foul ground, the ball would be dead immediately, R1 would be returned to third and B2 would remain at bat. (8-4-2k, 5-1-1f-1)

SITUATION 15: With one out, R1 is on third base and R2 is at second base when B4 misses the sign for the squeeze bunt. B4 hits a high chopper near first base as R1 touches home plate. F3 fields the ball, touches first to retire B4 and sets to throw to third in an attempt to put out R2 who got a late start going to third base. As F3 releases the throw, B4 intentionally reaches out and hits his arm for obvious interference. RULING: R2 is declared out for the third out due to B4’s interference. R1’s run will count as he had legally acquired home before the interference occurred. (8-4-2g, 8-2-9, 5-1-1e)

SITUATION 16: The head coach requests “Time” and goes to the mound for a visit. He removes F1 and brings in S1 to pitch from the bullpen. The coach remains at the mound talking with S1 as he takes his eight warm-up throws. The opposing head coach claims that this is a charged conference because the defensive coach stayed at the mound until S1 had completed his warm-up throws. RULING: There is no charged conference to be recorded on the defensive team since F1 was removed as the pitcher. As long as the head coach leaves when S1 completes his warm-up throws and does not delay the game, no defensive conference will be charged. (3-4-1)

SITUATION 17: With R1 on first attempting to steal second base, B2 swings and misses as the ball hits the catcher’s mitt and pops up in the air. B2’s follow-through hits the ball to the backstop. RULING: This is batter interference and the ball is declared dead. B2 is out and R1 is returned to first base. (7-3-5c penalty)

SITUATION 18: With R1 on first, a pitch hits the catcher’s shin guards and is deflected toward the dugout. R1 had left first base headed for second as F1 released the pitch and is standing on second base when the deflected pitch rolls into the dugout. R1’s head coach argues that R1 should be awarded third base. RULING: R1 is awarded one base from where he was at the time of the pitch. R1’s award is second base and he will remain at second, and not be advanced to third base. (8-3-3d, 8-3-5b)

SITUATION 19: Bases are loaded with two outs and a 1-1 count on B6. The scoreboard has a 0-2 count. The plate umpire gives the correct count and verbally states “1-1.” B6 swings and misses the next pitch to make the count 1-2, but F2, thinking it is strike three, tosses the ball toward the mound as the infield players begin to leave the diamond. The third-base coach has his runners running and all of them cross home plate. The visiting defensive head coach protests that
the runs should not score since the scoreboard was in error and it put them at a disadvantage. RULING: The umpires did not err on the play and both teams are responsible to know the count and the number of outs. The play stands and all three runs count. (10-2-3g)

SITUATION 20: Two outs, R3 at second base. On a 1-2 pitch, R3 attempts to steal third base as the batter attempts to check his swing. R3 is thrown out at third base for the third out. The defense now wants to appeal the check-swing on B4 so that if he went around, he struck out and would not come back to bat in the next half-inning. U1 checks with the base umpire and U2 confirms that B4 did indeed swing at strike three. RULING: Since B4’s out is a “fourth” out, the defense may select the out which is most to its advantage. B4 is out for out No. 3 and the batter following him in the lineup will bat first in the next half-inning. (2-20-2, 9-1-1d)

Southern Tier Teener

Baseball League

The Southern Tier Teener League plays their games in Vestal,
Endicott, Newark Valley, Owego, Ithaca, Cortland, JC, Port Dick, and NYSEG.

The league follows High School rules with the following exceptions:

ü There is no DH allowed. However, each team may use up to 2 Extra Hitters (EH). If they start the game with 11 hitters in the line-up and if for any reason they fall below 11 hitters, with no legal substitute, an out will be called for each time that spot comes up in the batting order.

ü A team must have 8 players to start the game. If they start the game with only 8 players they have two options. [1] They may present a line-up card with 9 players. Each time that spot comes up in the batting order an out will be called. If a player shows up he may enter the game immediately filling the 9^th spot in the batting order. [2] If they present a line-up with only 8 players they can only play with 8 players no matter if others show up after the start of the game (players that show up after the start of the game can be used as substitutes only). Under any circumstance any time a team only has 7 eligible players the game cannot continue and the team will forfeit. The umpire has sole discretion on the amount of time to wait to start the game to have the legal number of players there (general guideline 15 minutes).

ü Starting players may re-enter the game once (substitutes are not eligible for re-entry) as long as their substitute has had one at-bat and played for six defensive outs.

ü Pitchers removed may continue to play in the game but may not return to pitch for the remainder of the game.

ü No inning may begin 2½ hours after the beginning of the game. However, ties will be played to completion.

A Mercy Rule of 10 runs after 5 innings will be in effect.

THINK YOU KNOW BASEBALL?

This quiz contains questions regarding the most
frequently misinterpreted rules.
See if you know the correct ruling for the
following situations

1. ARE THE HANDS CONSIDERED PART OF THE BAT?
Answer: No. See rule 2.00 Ball, Person, Touch, Strike(e)(f). 6.08(b). If the batter is hit anywhere on his body, including the hands, it is a strike if he is swinging at the pitch or is hit by a pitch that is in the strike zone. He gets first base if he did not swing and attempted to avoid the pitch. Being hit on the hands is an immediate dead ball, and is NEVER a foul ball. It is a strike. If it is strike three, the batter is out.

2. IF A BATTED BALL HITS THE PLATE FIRST, IS IT A FOUL BALL?
Answer: No. The plate is in fair territory and is treated the same as the ground. Rule 2.00 Fair, Foul. If it settles on the plate it is also a fair ball.

3. IS THE BALL ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY DEAD WHEN THE UMPIRE CALLS "BALK!"?
Answer: In high school baseball (NFHS) the answer is Yes.  In adult baseball (Major League Rules) the answer is No. If the pitcher throws a pitch or throws to a base after the call, the ball is live (delayed dead). At the end of the play, the balk will be enforced or ignored depending on what happened. Rule 8.05 PENALTY. If ALL runners advance on the play, the balk is ignored. If ANY runner is put out, or does not advance on the play, the balk is enforced from the time of the balk.

4. IF A PITCH HITS THE GROUND, THEN HITS THE BATTER, AND THE BATTER DID NOT SWING; IS THE BATTER ENTITLED TO FIRST BASE?
Answer: Yes. A pitch is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher. It doesn't have to be in-flight to be a pitch. The batter can hit a ball off the ground and it is a legal hit. The ball is dead when it hits the batter. The batter is awarded first. Rule 2.00 Pitch, 5.09(a), 6.08(b).

5. MUST THE BATTER TURN TO HIS RIGHT WHEN RETURNING TO FIRST BASE AFTER A SAFE HIT?
Answer: No. The runner is out when tagged, only if the umpire judges that he made an attempt to go to second base after he reached first. Rule 7.08(c) EXCEPTION and 7.10(c). An attempt is a judgment call. Usually an attempt is judged when the runner takes a step toward second with thoughts of going and lifts the other foot off the ground and moves it toward second. 

6. WHEN A FIELDER THROWS THE BALL OUT-OF-PLAY, ARE THE RUNNERS AWARDED THE BASE THEY WERE GOING TO, PLUS ONE?
Answer: No. If the wild throw is the first play by an infielder, runners are awarded 2 bases from the bases they held at the time of the pitch. If it is the second play by an infielder, or any throw from an outfielder, it is 2 bases from where they were physically positioned when the wild throw was released by the fielder. Not from the time it went out-of-play. It makes no difference which direction they were running at the time of the throw. If all runners have advanced at least one base before the release of the wild throw that was the first by an infielder, all runners are awarded 2 bases from where they were positioned at the time of the release. Rule 7.05(g) & APPROVED RULING. If the pitcher steps off the rubber before making a pick-off attempt, he is considered a fielder and runners are awarded two bases if the throw goes into dead ball area.

7. AT ALL LEVELS OF PLAY; SENIOR, JUNIOR, & MAJOR, THE RUNNER MUST SLIDE IF THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER IS FIELDING THE BALL ON A CLOSE PLAY, OR HAS THE BALL. TRUE OR FALSE?|
Answer: False. There is no must slide rule. The runner must slide, OR attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball waiting to make a tag. The runner may NEVER deliberately crash into the defender, with or without the ball. However, if an unavoidable collision occurs on a close play, the runner is NOT out. In an attempt to get around the fielder, the runner may not go more than three feet from the baseline. Rule 7.08(a)(3).

8. IF A FIELDER IS BLOCKING THE BASE PATH BEFORE HE CATCHES A THROW, IS THIS ALWAYS INTERFERENCE?
Answer: No. First, interference is something the offense does illegally. A fielder who does not have the ball and is not in the act of fielding, is guilty of OBSTRUCTION. If the throw is in flight and CLOSE to the fielder, he has a right to move wherever it is necessary to catch the ball. Otherwise, he must get out of the way. It is the umpire's judgment as to whether or not the fielder is in the "act of fielding". Rule 2.00 Obstruction. Rule 7.06(a)(b).

9. THE SHORTSTOP HAS THE BALL MUCH TOO FAR FROM THE RUNNER ADVANCING FROM SECOND BASE TO TAG HIM. THE RUNNER ZIG-ZAGS 6 FEET TO EACH SIDE OF THE BASE LINE AS HE RETREATS TO SECOND. IS HE OUT FOR RUNNING OUT OF THE BASELINE?
Answer: No. Rule 7.08(a)(1) applies at the time the runner moves out of the base line "to avoid a tag", not before. Also, the interpretation of base line for purposes of this rule is that the base line is the line from the runner to the base. Not the line between the bases. 

10. AN OUTFIELDER MAKES A RUNNING CATCH, TAKES 4 STEPS AFTER CATCHING THE BALL, FALLS DOWN, ROLLS OVER AND STANDS UP, THEN DROPS THE BALL. IS THE BATTER OUT?
Answer: No. This is not a legal catch. The release of the ball must be voluntary and intentional. The length of time the ball is held is irrelevant, unless the fielder has complete control of his body and the umpire judges he has complete control of the ball. Rule 2.00 Catch.

11. WHEN THE INFIELD-FLY RULE IS IN EFFECT, IS THE BATTER AUTOMATICALLY OUT IF HE HITS A POP-FLY IN THE INFIELD?
Answer: Yes, IF the ball can be caught with ordinary effort. This is a judgment call. If the umpire believes it required more than ordinary effort, the batter is not out. Rule 2.00 Infield-fly. It is not an infield-fly simply because it is hit within the infield. The ball must be judged to be able to be caught with ORDINARY EFFORT. The ball may also be caught in the outfield and still be an infield-fly, IF it could be caught with ordinary effort by a fielder who was stationed in the infield at the time of the pitch.

12. IF THE UMPIRES DECLARE "INFIELD-FLY THE BATTER'S OUT" BUT THE FIELDER DROPS THE BALL, CAN THE RUNNERS ADVANCE?
Answer: Yes. The ball is live and runners may advance at the risk of being put out. The only difference between an infield-fly and an outfield-fly is; the batter is out whether the ball is caught or not. Runners may tag-up after a catch or run if no-catch. Since the batter is out all forces are removed. Rule 2.00 Infield-fly.

13. IF THE BASE COACH SLAPS HANDS WITH A RUNNER AS HE PASSES WHILE THE BALL IS ALIVE, IS THE RUNNER OUT?
Answer: No. This is a judgment call. If the base coach, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists that runner in returning to or leaving the base, the runner is out. Merely a hand slap or pat on the back is not grounds for an out. Rule 7.09(I).

14. AS THE BATTER ROUNDS THIRD AFTER HITTING A HOME RUN, HIS TEAMMATES HUG HIM AND PAT HIM ON THE BACK AND SLAP HANDS. SHOULD THE BATTER BE CALLED OUT?
Answer: No. The ball is dead after the ball leaves the field and all runners may advance without liability to be put out. Rule 5.02, 7.09(a). If any runner misses a base, that runner may be put out on appeal only after the ball is put back in play. The ball is put in play when the pitcher has the ball while standing on the rubber and the umpire says "Play." 

15. A RUNNER ADVANCES A BASE ON A PITCH THAT WAS TIPPED BY THE BATTER AND CAUGHT BY THE CATCHER. MUST THE RUNNER RETURN TO HIS ORIGINAL BASE?
Answer: No. The ball is live on a foul-tip. If the tip is not caught it is a foul-ball and the ball is dead. If it is caught, it is a strike and the ball is live. Rule 2.00 Foul-tip. This applies for strike 1, 2 or 3. It is not a foul-tip by definition, unless it is caught. If it is not caught, it is by definition, a foul ball.

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS DESCRIBE PLAYS:

16. Two out, runners on first and second base. Batter hits single, runner on second scores, runner on first base missed second but reaches third. The defense properly appeals that he missed second. Does the run which scored count?
Answer: No. Because the runner started at first this is a force-out. Rule 2.00 Force-play, Rule 4.09(a) EXCEPTIONS: (2). No run can score if the third out is a force-out.

17. One out, runners on first and second. Batter hits a pop fly between third and home, the umpire calls "infield fly if fair", the fielder under the ball, lets the ball strike the ground untouched in foul territory, the ball then then rolls into fair territory. The umpire rules an infield fly and declares the batter out. Right or wrong?
Answer: Right. This is a fair ball, therefore it is an infield fly. Rule 2.00 Fair ball, Infield fly (NOTE:), 6.05(e).

18. Bases full, two out, batter walks. Catcher throws ball to first baseman, ball gets by him into right field. All runners on base score with the batter reaching second. The defense appeals that the batter-runner missed first. The umpire agrees and calls him out. How many runs score?
Answer: None. Rule 4.09(a) EXCEPTIONS(1). No run can score if the batter is put out before touching first. Runners must touch all bases including those they are awarded. If the runner attempts to advance to the next base, or reaches the next base, he is considered to have "reached" the base he was awarded. If he did not touch the base he was awarded, he is liable to be put out on appeal.

19. Runner goes far out of the base line to avoid a fielder trying to field a fair batted ball. Umpire declares the runner out. Right or wrong?
Answer: Wrong. The runner must avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball and is not out for running out of the base line. Rule 7.08(b) and 7.09(l) makes him out if he does not avoid the fielder.

20. Runners on second and third, two out, batter hits a clean double and is thrown out attempting to stretch hit into a triple. However, the runner who started on second left before the ball reached the plate. How many runs count? (Little League only)
Answer: None. Whenever any runner leaves early, all runners are affected. When the play is over all runners are put back to their original bases if possible. Since the batter was put out, bases would be available. Since he was the third out the runs do not count. Rule 7.13. (Major & Minors only).

21. Runner going from second to third bumps into the shortstop who was standing in the base path without the ball. The third baseman, who fielded the ball, comes over and tags the runner with the ball. Is the runner out?
Answer: No. This is Obstruction. Rule 2.00, 7.06.

22. A batter with two strikes is hit on his fist while swinging at the pitch. Is he out, or is he awarded first base, or is it a foul ball.
Answer: He is out. Rule 2.00 Strike(e), Person and Touch. The hands are NOT part of the bat. See answer to question #1 above.

23. The player listed third in the batting order bats when the number two batter should have been up. He gets a double. The defense appeals that he was the wrong batter. The umpire calls number two out and puts number three back up. Is this correct?
Answer: Yes. When batting out of order occurs, the PROPER batter is out, hits and/or advances that occur when the improper batter becomes a runner are nullified. The next batter up is the spot following the spot that was called out. In this case two is out, three's hit is nullified and because he is the one after the person called out, he bats again. Any advances by runners while the improper batter is at bat, such as steals, are legal. If the batter who is due to bat after an appeal is made, is on base, you skip that spot and the following player bats.