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DEFINITION OF TERMS
ADJUDGED is a judgment decision by
the umpire.
An APPEAL is the act of a fielder
in claiming violation of the rules by the offensive team.
A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher
with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance
one base.
A BALL is a pitch which does not enter
the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter. If
the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone
it is a "ball." If such a pitch touches the batter, he
shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch
after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of
Rule 6.05 (c) and 6.09 (b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the
ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.
A BASE is one of four points which
must be touched by a runner in order to score a run; more usually
applied to the canvas bags and the rubber plate which mark the base
points.
A BASE COACH is a team member in uniform
who is stationed in the coach's box at first or third base to direct
the batter and the runners.
A BASE ON BALLS is an award of first
base granted to a batter who, during his time at bat, receives four
pitches outside the strike zone.
A BATTER is an offensive player who
takes his position in the batter's box.
BATTER RUNNER is a term that identifies the offensive player who
has just finished his time at bat until he is put out or until the
play on which he became a runner ends.
The BATTER'S BOX is the area within
which the batter shall stand during his time at bat.
The BATTERY is the pitcher and catcher.
BENCH OR DUGOUT is the seating facilities reserved for players,
substitutes and other team members in uniform when they are not
actively engaged on the playing field.
A BUNT is a batted ball not swung
at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within
the infield.
A CALLED GAME is one in which, for
any reason, the umpire in chief terminates play.
A CATCH is the act of a fielder in
getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight
and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector,
pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It
is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following
his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a
wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or
falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches
a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an
umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder
has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making
a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have
been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder
shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control
of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.
A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even
though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the
ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder
touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope
or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top
of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference
should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing,
rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk.
If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is "held
up" and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of
either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.
The CATCHER is the fielder who takes
his position back of the home base.
The CATCHER'S BOX is that area within
which the catcher shall stand until the pitcher delivers the ball.
The CLUB is a person or group of persons
responsible for assembling the team personnel, providing the playing
field and required facilities, and representing the team in relations
with the league.
A COACH is a team member in uniform
appointed by the manager to perform such duties as the manager may
designate, such as but not limited to acting as base coach.
A DEAD BALL is a ball out of play
because of a legally created temporary suspension of play. The DEFENSE
(or DEFENSIVE) is the team, or any player of the team, in the field.
A DOUBLE HEADER is two regularly scheduled
or rescheduled games, played in immediate succession.
A DOUBLE PLAY is a play by the defense
in which two offensive players are put out as a result of continuous
action, providing there is no error between putouts.
(a) A force double play is one in which both putouts are force plays.
(b) A reverse force double play is one in which the first out is
a force play and the second out is made on a runner for whom the
force is removed by reason of the first out. Examples of reverse
force plays: runner on first, one out; batter grounds to first baseman,
who steps on first base (one out) and throws to second baseman or
shortstop for the second out (a tag play). Another example: bases
loaded, none out; batter grounds to third baseman, who steps on
third base (one out); then throws to catcher for the second out
(tag play).
DUGOUT (See definition of BENCH)
A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that
settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home
and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding
to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first,
second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or
beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair
territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while
over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.
A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of
the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as
to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time
he touches the ball. If a fly ball lands in the infield between
home and first base, or home and third base, and then bounces to
foul territory without touching a player or umpire and before passing
first or third base, it is a foul ball; or if the ball settles on
foul territory or is touched by a player on foul territory, it is
a foul ball. If a fly ball lands on or beyond first or third base
and then bounces to foul territory, it is a fair hit. Clubs, increasingly,
are erecting tall foul poles at the fence line with a wire netting
extending along the side of the pole on fair territory above the
fence to enable the umpires more accurately to judge fair and foul
balls.
FAIR TERRITORY is that part of the
playing field within, and including the first base and third base
lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and
perpendicularly upwards. All foul lines are in fair territory.
A FIELDER is any defensive player.
FIELDER'S CHOICE is the act of a fielder
who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base
to put out the batter runner, throws to another base in an attempt
to put out a preceding runner. The term is also used by scorers
(a) to account for the advance of the batter runner who takes one
or more extra bases when the fielder who handles his safe hit attempts
to put out a preceding runner; (b) to account for the advance of
a runner (other than by stolen base or error) while a fielder is
attempting to put out another runner; and (c) to account for the
advance of a runner made solely because of the defensive team's
indifference (undefended steal).
A FLY BALL is a batted ball that goes
high in the air in flight.
A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a
runner legally loses his right to occupy a base by reason of the
batter becoming a runner. Confusion regarding this play is removed
by remembering that frequently the "force" situation is
removed during the play. Example: Man on first, one out, ball hit
sharply to first baseman who touches the bag and batter runner is
out. The force is removed at that moment and runner advancing to
second must be tagged. If there had been a runner on third or second,
and either of these runners scored before the tag out at second,
the run counts. Had the first baseman thrown to second and the ball
then had been returned to first, the play at second was a force
out, making two outs, and the return throw to first ahead of the
runner would have made three outs. In that case, no run would score.
Example: Not a force out. One out. Runner on first and third. Batter
flies out. Two out. Runner on third tags up and scores. Runner on
first tries to retouch before throw from fielder reaches first baseman,
but does not get back in time and is out. Three outs. If, in umpire's
judgment, the runner from third touched home before the ball was
held at first base, the run counts.
A FORFEITED GAME is a game declared
ended by the umpire in chief in favor of the offended team by the
score of 9 to 0, for violation of the rules.
A FOUL BALL is a batted ball that
settles on foul territory between home and first base, or between
home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on
or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond
first or third base, or that, while on or over foul territory, touches
the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the
natural ground. A foul fly shall be judged according to the relative
position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole,
and not as to whether the infielder is on foul or fair territory
at the time he touches the ball. A batted ball not touched by a
fielder, which hits the pitcher's rubber and rebounds into foul
territory, between home and first, or between home and third base
is a foul ball.
FOUL TERRITORY is that part of the
playing field outside the first and third base lines extended to
the fence and perpendicularly upwards.
A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes
sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands and is legally
caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that
is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch
if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher's
glove or hand.
A GROUND BALL is a batted ball that
rolls or bounces close to the ground.
The HOME TEAM is the team on whose grounds the game is played, or
if the game is played on neutral grounds, the home team shall be
designated by mutual agreement.
ILLEGAL (or ILLEGALLY)is contrary
to these rules.
An ILLEGAL PITCH is (1) a pitch delivered
to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact
with the pitcher's plate; (2) a quick return pitch. An illegal pitch
when runners are on base is a balk.
An INFIELDER is a fielder who occupies
a position in the infield.
An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball
(not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be
caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second,
or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out.
The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in
the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose
of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be
an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare "Infield
Fly" for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the
baselines, the umpire shall declare "Infield Fly, if Fair."
The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball
being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched,
the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it
is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed
to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing
first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly
falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces
fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly. On
the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could
ordinarily have been handled by an infielder not by some arbitrary
limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must
rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder,
if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily
handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered
an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision
should be made immediately. When an infield fly rule is called,
runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule,
the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains
in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly
rule takes precedence.
IN FLIGHT describes a batted, 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 in play and an offensive player may be put out.
An INNING is that portion of a game
within which the teams alternate on offense and defense and in which
there are three putouts for each team. Each team's time at bat is
a half inning.
INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes
with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting
to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter runner,
or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return
to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally
touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided
by these rules. In the event the batter runner has not reached first
base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the
time of the pitch.
(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders
or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
(c) Umpire's interference occurs (1) When an umpire hinders, impedes
or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base,
or (2) When a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before
passing a fielder.
(d) Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of
the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball.
On any interference the ball is dead.
THE LEAGUE is a group of clubs whose
teams play each other in a pre arranged schedule under these rules
for the league championship.
THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT shall enforce the official rules, resolve any
disputes involving the rules, and determine any protested games.
The league president may fine or suspend any player, coach, manager
or umpire for violation of these rules, at his discretion.
LEGAL (or LEGALLY) is in accordance
with these rules.
A LIVE BALL is a ball which is in
play.
A LINE DRIVE is a batted ball that
goes sharp and direct from the bat to a fielder without touching
the ground.
THE MANAGER is a person appointed
by the club to be responsible for the team's actions on the field,
and to represent the team in communications with the umpire and
the opposing team. A player may be appointed manager.
(a) The club shall designate the manager to the league president
or the umpire in chief not less than thirty minutes before the scheduled
starting time of the game.
(b) The manager may advise the umpire that he has delegated specific
duties prescribed by the rules to a player or coach, and any action
of such designated representative shall be official. The manager
shall always be responsible for his team's conduct, observance of
the official rules, and deference to the umpires.
(c) If a manager leaves the field, he shall designate a player or
coach as his substitute, and such substitute manager shall have
the duties, rights and responsibilities of the manager. If the manager
fails or refuses to designate his substitute before leaving, the
umpire in chief shall designate a team member as substitute manager.
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder
who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding
the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. If a fielder is about
to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward
and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to
receive the ball he may be considered "in the act of fielding
a ball." It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as
to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder
has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer
be in the "act of fielding" the ball. For example: an
infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he
continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner,
he very likely has obstructed the runner.
OFFENSE is the team, or any player
of the team, at bat.
OFFICIAL SCORER. See Rule 10.00.
An OUT is one of the three required
retirements of an offensive team during its time at bat.
An OUTFIELDER is a fielder who occupies
a position in the outfield, which is the area of the playing field
most distant from home base.
OVERSLIDE (or OVERSLIDING) is the
act of an offensive player when his slide to a base, other than
when advancing from home to first base, is with such momentum that
he loses contact with the base.
A PENALTY is the application of these
rules following an illegal act.
The PERSON of a player or an umpire is any part of his body, his
clothing or his equipment.
A PITCH is a ball delivered to the
batter by the pitcher. All other deliveries of the ball by one player
to another are thrown balls.
A PITCHER is the fielder designated
to deliver the pitch to the batter.
The pitcher's PIVOT FOOT is that foot which is in contact with the
pitcher's plate as he delivers the pitch.
"PLAY" is the umpire's order
to start the game or to resume action following any dead ball.
A QUICK RETURN pitch is one made with
obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch.
REGULATION GAME. See Rules 4.10 and
4.11.
A RETOUCH is the act of a runner in
returning to a base as legally required.
A RUN (or SCORE) is the score made
by an offensive player who advances from batter to runner and touches
first, second, third and home bases in that order.
A RUN DOWN is the act of the defense
in an attempt to put out a runner between bases.
A RUNNER is an offensive player who
is advancing toward, or touching, or returning to any base.
"SAFE" is a declaration
by the umpire that a runner is entitled to the base for which he
was trying.
SET POSITION is one of the two legal
pitching positions.
SQUEEZE PLAY is a term to designate
a play when a team, with a runner on third base, attempts to score
that runner by means of a bunt.
A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so
called by the umpire, which_
(a) Is struck at by the batter and is missed;
(b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any
part of the strike zone;
(c) Is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes;
(d) Is bunted foul;
(e) Touches the batter as he strikes at it;
(f) Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone; or
(g) Becomes a foul tip.
The STRIKE ZONE is that area over
home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the
midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform
pants, and the lower level is a line at the hallow beneath the knee
cap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance
as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball. (For diagram
of STRIKE ZONE see page 23.)
A SUSPENDED GAME is a called game
which is to be completed at a later date.
A TAG is the action of a fielder in
touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and
firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball,
or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball
securely and firmly in his hand or glove.
A THROW is the act of propelling the
ball with the hand and arm to a given objective and is to be distinguished,
always, from the pitch.
A TIE GAME is a regulation game which
is called when each team has the same number of runs.
"TIME" is the announcement
by an umpire of a legal interruption of play, during which the ball
is dead.
TOUCH. To touch a player or umpire
is to touch any part of his body, his clothing or his equipment.
A TRIPLE PLAY is a play by the defense
in which three offensive players are put out as a result of continuous
action, providing there is no error between putouts.
A WILD PITCH is one so high, so low,
or so wide of the plate that it cannot be handled with ordinary
effort by the catcher.
WIND UP POSITION is one of the two legal pitching positions.
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