This presentation was developed in total by; Lee “Batman” Batterman Umpire Consultant for CALL...

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The 40Most Misunderstood

Rules inLittle League

Baseball


1. The hands are considered part of the bat, and NO base shall be awarded if the Batter is hit in the hands by the Pitch?

True or False


FalseThe hands are part of a person's body.

If a pitch hits the batter's hands the ball is dead; if the batter swings at the pitch, a strike is called (NOT a foul).If the batter was avoiding the pitch, he/she is awarded first base.

Rule 2.00 Touch, Strike, Person, 5.09 (a)


2. The batter-runner must turn to his right after over-sliding or over-running first base?

True or False


FalseThe batter-runner may turn left or right, provided that no matter which way he/she turns, there is NO attempt to advance.

An attempt to advance is a judgment made by the umpire.

The requirement is that the runner must immediately return to first after over running or over sliding the base

Rule 7.08 (j)


3. If the batter breaks his wrists whenswinging, or while attempting to “Check” the swing… it's a strike.

True or False


FalseA strike is a judgment by the Umpire as to whether the batter attempted to strike the ball.

Breaking the wrists, or the barrel of the bat crossing the plate, are simply guides to making the judgment of an attempt, these are not rules.

Rule 2.00 Strike


4. If a batted ball hits the plate first, thensettles in foul territory… it's a foul ball.

True or False


Even tough the plate is in fair territory, there is nothing special about it. If a batted ball hits it, it is treated like any other batted ball that touches Fair territory then rolls Foul.

True

Rule 2.00 Strike


5. The batter cannot be called out forinterference if in the batter's box. It’s called the “Batter’s Box” for a reason, because it belongs to the Batter

True or False


FalseThe batter's box is not a safety zone. A batter can be called out for interference if the umpire judges that interference could or should have been avoided.The batter is protected while in the box for a short period of time. After he has had time to react to the play he could be called for interference if he does not move out of the box and interferes with a play.

Rule 2.00 Interference 6.06 (c)


6. The ball is “Live and in play”, on a foul-tip

True or False


There is nothing foul about a foul-tip. If the ball hits the bat and goes sharp and direct to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught, it is a foul-tip by definition. A foul-tip is a strike and the ball is live. It is the same as a swing-and-miss. If the ball is not caught, it is a Foul Ball. If the foul-tip first hits the catcher somewhere other than the hand or glove, it is not a foul-tip, it is a Foul Ball.

True

Rule 2.00 Foul Tip


7. The batter may switch batter's boxesanytime, even after two strikes.

True or False


The batter can switch boxes at any time, provided he/she does not do it after the pitcher is set, ready to pitch or in motion.

True

Rule 6.06 (b)


8. The Player who batted out of order is the person declared “OUT” after a proper Appeal is made

True or False


FalseThe PROPER batter is the one called out.

Any hit or advance made by the Improper Batter or the runners due to the hit, walk, error or other reason is nullified.

The next batter is the one who follows the proper batter… meaning, the player who was called out. Rule 6.07

(b)


9. The batter may not overrun first basewhen he/she is awarded a Base-On-Balls.

True or False


FalseRule 7.08 simply states that a batter-runner must immediately return after overrunning first base. It doesn't state any exceptions as to how the player became a runner. It could be a hit, walk, error or dropped third strike.

Rule 7.08 (c) (j)


10. The batter can NOT be called OUT for abandoning the base path if he doesn’t go directly to 1st base after Ball 4 or Uncaught 3rd Strike (Majors and above)

True or False


The batter may attempt to advance to first base anytime prior to entering the dugout or dead ball area.

The batter becomes a runner when awarded 1st base on Ball 4. He may advance under certain circumstances when the third strike is not caught (Majors and above).

A runner makes his own base path to the base

True

Rule 6.08 (a) 6.09 (b)


11. In baseball, if the batter does not pull the bat out of the strike zone while in the BUNT position, it's an automatic strike.

True or False


A strike is an attempt to HIT the ball.

Simply holding the bat over the plate is not an attempt to hit the ball.

This is umpire judgment.

False

Rule 2.00 Strike, Bunt


12. The batter is NOT out if a bunted ball hits the ground and immediately bounces back up and hits the bat while the batter is holding it.

True or False


The rule says the BAT cannot hit the ball a second time. When the BALL hits the bat, it is not an out.

Also, when the batter is still in the box when this happens, it's treated as simply a foul ball. If the batter is out of the box and the bat is over fair territory when the second hit occurs, the batter would be out.

True

Rule 6.05 (g)


13. The batter is out if his foot touches, or is on the plate, while making contact with the ball.

True or False


To be out, the batter's foot must be ENTIRELY outside the box and on the ground when making contact with the ball whether the ball goes fair or foul.

He is NOT OUT if he does not contact with the ball.

There is no statement about touching the plate. The toe could be on the plate and the heel could be touching the line of the box, which means the foot is not entirely outside the box.

False

Rule 6.06 (a)


14. There is NO RULE that requires theBatter Runner to be in the “Runners Lane”

… EVER …True or False


The runner must be out of the lane AND must interfere with the fielder taking the throw. He is not out simply for being outside the lane. He could be called for interference even while in the lane depending on his actions. This is a judgment call.

The runner may need to step out of the lane a few steps before the base. If he is out of the lane the whole distance running to the base and is hit with a throw, he may, or may not be out.

True

Rule 2.00 Interference 6.05 (j) 6.09 (j)


15. A runner may slap hands and/or give high- fives to other players, after a homerun is hit over the fence. He may even deviate from the base path and give hand slaps along the dugout?

True or False


The ball is dead on a homerun over the fence. You can't be put out while the ball is dead except when you pass another runner or Abandon the base path.

The runner also creates his own base path as he proceeds around the track.

True

Rule 5.02, 7.05 (a), 7.08 (a)


16. Tie goes to the runner.

True or False


There is no such thing in baseball or umpiring as a Tie.

The runner is either Out or Safe. The Umpire MUST judge the status of the runner to be either out or safe.

It is impossible to judge a Tie.

False

Rule 6.05 (j)


17. The runner gets two bases on a ball thrown out-of-play. The base he's advancing to, plus one additional base. Also known as,“One + One.”

True or False


When a fielder other than the pitcher throws the ball into dead ball area, the award is 2 bases.

If the throw is the first play by an infielder, the award is from the base the runner(s) last legally acquired at the Time of the Pitch. All other awards are from the throw, where the runners were at the time the ball left the fielder’s hand (Time of Throw) before going “Out of Play”.

False

Rule 7.05 (g)


18. A coach may touch a runner at anytime, as long as it is not considered assisting the runner while advancing or returning to a base.

True or False


The Rule says the runner is out if the coach PHYSICALLY ASSISTS the runner

Hand slaps, pats on the back or simple touches are not considered physically assisting.

True

Rule 7.09 (h)


19. It’s perfectly acceptable for a runner to run the bases in reverse order.

True or False


In order to correct a base running mistake, when doing so, the runner MUST retouch the bases in reverse order

The only time a runner is OUT for running in reverse, is making a “Travesty” of the game or trying to “Confuse” the defense.

True

Rule 7.08 (i)


20. The runner must always slide when the play is close.

True or False


There is no “MUST SLIDE" rule in Little League. When the fielder has possession of the ball and waiting to make the tag, the runner has two choices; slide OR “attempt to get around” the fielder. The runner can NOT deliberately or maliciously contact the fielder, but is NOT required to slide.

If the fielder does not have possession of the ball, and is in the act of fielding a Thrown Ball, Obstruction may very well be called on the defensive fielder.

False

Rule 7.08 (a) 3


21. The runner is always safe when hit by a batted ball while touching a base.

True or False


The bases are in fair territory. A runner is OUT when hit by a “Fair Batted Ball” while touching a base, except when hit by an Infield-Fly, or;

after the ball has “Passed a Fielder” and no other fielder had a play on the ball.

If the runner is touching first or third, he is not out unless the ball touches him over fair territory. If one foot is on the base and the other is in foul ground and he is hit on the foul ground foot, he is NOT out. It is a Foul Ball

False

Rule 5.09, 7.08 (f)


22. A runner may not Advance on a Foul-Tip.

True or False


There is nothing foul about a Foul-Tip. If the ball hits the bat and goes sharp and direct to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught, it is a Foul-Tip by definition.

A Foul-Tip is a strike and the ball is live. It is the same as a swing-and-miss. If the ball is not caught, it is a Foul Ball.

False

Rule 2.00 Foul Tip


23. It is a “Force Out” when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.

True or False


A force play is when a runner is forced to advance because the batter becomes a runner. When the batter is out on a caught fly, all forces are removed and the runner must be tagged.Failure to tag-up, is NOT a force out. Any runs that cross the plate before a legal appeal is made will count.

This is an Appeal Play

False

Rule 2.00 Force Play, 7.08 (d)


24. An appeal on a runner who missed a base can be a force out.

True or False


A runner must touch all the bases. If the runner misses a base to which he was forced because the batter became a runner and is put out before touching that base, the out is still a Force Play / Force Out.

If this is the third out, no runs may score. The base can be touched or the runner can be touched, either way it's a “Force Out”.

True

Rule 2.00 Force Play


25. A runner is out if he runs MORE than 3 feet out of the Baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball.

True or False


The runner MUST avoid a fielder attempting to field a BATTED ball.

A runner is out for running out of the baseline, only when attempting to AVOID A TAG.

False

Rule 7.08 (a), 7.09 (j)


26.Runners may advance when an

infield fly is called.

True or False


An Infield-fly is no different than any other fly ball with regards to runners.

The only difference is that the runner is never forced to advance because the batter is out whether the ball is caught or not.

True

Rule 2.00 Infield Fly 6.05 (d), 7.10 (a)


27. If the 3rd OUT is called on a runner failing to “Retouch” on a “Caught Fly Ball”, NO runs may score

True or False


This is NOT a force play. A force play is when a runner is forced to advance because the batter became a runner. When the batter is out on a caught fly, all forces are removed

An out on an a failure to tag-up, is NOT a force out. It is an “Appeal Play”

In this situation, it becomes a “Timing Play” and therefore, any runs that cross the plate before the APPEAL is made will count.

False

Rule 2.00 Force Play, 4.09 (a), 7.10 (a)


28. A pitch that bounces on the ground during the delivery, may be hit the same as any pitch delivered “In-Flight”.

True or False


A pitch is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher. It doesn't matter how it gets to the batter, either “In Flight” or by “Hitting the ground”.

True

Rule 2.00 Pitch, 6.09 (a)


29. A batter that is HIT by a Pitch that Bounces during delivery is entitled to be awarded 1st base

True or False


If the batter is hit by a pitch, regardless of if it ‘Bounces” or is “In Flight”, and IF the batter is attempting to avoid the pitch, he is awarded first base.

True

Rule 2.00 Pitch, 6.08 (b)


30. If a fielder holds a fly ball securely in the hand or glove, and demonstrates control… It is considered a CATCH

True or False


A catch is legal when the umpire judges that the fielder has SECURE POSSESION and COMPLETE CONTROL of the ball.

In addition… The release of the ball must be…

VOLUNTARY AND INTENTIONAL

False

Rule 2.00 Catch


31.On a Force Out or Appeal, you may tag the base with your foot, instead of tagging the runner

True or False


When making a “Force” or Appeal” play, you may tag the base instead of the runner. When doing so, you may use ANY part of the body, includingthe empty hand or piece of uniform in it’s normal location on the body.However, if you tag the runner you MUST tag Him / Her with the Ball while holding the Ball in the Hand or Glove

True

Rule 2.00 Force Play, Person, Tag, Touch


32. In Intermediate 50-70/ Junior/Senior/Big League Division, when a Pitcher commits a BALK, the ball is always DEAD immediately.

True or False


If a pitch is made after the balk call, the ball is “Delayed Dead”. At the end of the play the balk may be enforced, or not, depending on what happened. If ALL runners including the batter runner advance at least one base safely, the balk is ignored. If not, time would be called and all runners would be awarded one base. On a throw; ALL runners would be advanced one base, ball is dead.

False

Rule 2.00 Balk, Pitch, Throw, 7.05 (g)


33. If the player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.

True or False


The position of the player's feet or any other part of the body does not matter

A ball is judged fair or foul based on the relationship between the ball and the Fair/Foul Line, at the time the ball is touches the fielder.

False

Rule 2.00 Fair Ball


34. The ball does not need to be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made.

True or False


An appeal may be made anytime the ball is live.

The only time the ball must go to the pitcher, is when time is out. The ball cannot be made live until the pitcher has the ball while on the rubber and the umpire says "Play”

If time is not out, the appeal can be made immediately, by any player.

True

Rule 2.00 Appeal, 5.11, 7.10


35. In MAJOR baseball. with runners on base, it is an Illegal Pitch and a Ball to the batter, if the pitcher does not come to a complete stop

True or False


With NO runners on base, and the ball is not delivered, it is not a pitch. Therefore it cannot be a called an Illegal Pitch.

With runners on base it is an Illegal Pitch if the Pitcher stops completely and does not re-start. A Ball is awarded to the batter. It also counts as a pitch towards the pitchers pitch count

In Majors, some leeway is given for a “Momentary” stop in the delivery motion.

False

Rule 2.00 Pitch, Illegal Pitch, 8.05 A)


36. The pitcher must come to a set position before a pick-off throw to any base

True or False


The pitcher is required to come to a complete stop in the Set position before delivering the pitch, not before making a throw.

False

Rule 2.00, Throw, Pitch, Set Position, 8.05 (m)


37. The pitcher, in the SET position, must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw to 1st base

True or False


If the pitcher steps off the rubber he is no longer the pitcher, he is a fielder.

In the SET (or the Windup) position, the pitcher can throw to a base from the rubber, provided he does not violate any of the rules under Rule 8.05

False

Rule 8.01 (b)


38. It is NOT a homerun if a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence.

True or False


As long as the fielder is not touching the ground in dead ball territory, if he holds onto the ball and meets the definition of a catch when he catches the ball, it is a legal catch.

If the catch is not the third out and the fielder falls down in dead ball territory after catching the ball, the Batter would be OUT, but all other runners are awarded one base.

True

Rule 2.00 Catch, 5.10 (f), 6.05 (a), 7.04 (b)


39. The pitcher, in the WIND-UP position, must Step off the rubber before a pick-off throw to 1st base

True or False


If the pitcher steps off the rubber he is no longer the pitcher, he is a fielder.

In the WIND-UP position, he can throw to a base from the rubber, provided he does not violate any part of Rule 8.05

False

Rule 8.01 (a)


40. The home plate Umpire is normally the “Chief Umpire” for the game, however he/she CAN NOT overrule the other umps at anytime.

True or False


No umpire may overrule another umpire's call.

The umpire who made a call or ruling may ask for help from the other Umpires if he/she wishes.

However, if help is requested, the Umpire making the original call must either make the change or stay with the original decision

True

Rule 9.02 (b), 9.02 (c) 9.04 (c) exception


That’s it…Thanks

This presentation was developed in total by; Lee “Batman” Batterman Umpire Consultant for CALL...

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Transcript of This presentation was developed in total by; Lee “Batman” Batterman Umpire Consultant for CALL...