|
Baseball
Rule Myths
Rules and
Regulations of Little League Baseball
Myth # 1
The hands are considered part of
the bat.
The hands are part of a person's
body. If a pitch hits the batter's hands the ball is
dead, period. If the pitch is swung at and it hits the
hands (or any part of the body), a strike is called (NOT
a foul) and the ball is dead for striking the batter’s
person. If the batter was avoiding the pitch, the batter
is awarded first base, as long as the batter was not
struck while the ball was in the strike zone.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: PERSON, TOUCH, STRIKE (e)
Myth # 2
If a batter does not swing and is
struck by a pitch, the batter automatically is awarded
first base.
If the batter is struck by a pitch
that is in the strike zone, the pitch is a strike and
the batter is not awarded first base (hit-by-pitch).
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: STRIKE: (f)
Myth # 3
The batter-runner must turn to his
right after over-running first base.
The batter-runner may turn in any
direction after overrunning first base as long as he/she
returns to the base immediately. If an attempt is made
to go to second base, the runner can be tagged out. This
is a judgment made by the umpire.
LL Playing Rules: 7.08(c) (j)
Myth # 4
If a batted ball hits the plate
first it's a foul ball.
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.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: Fair Territory
Myth # 5
The batter cannot be called out for
interference if he/she is in the batter's box.
The batter's box is not a safety
zone. A batter could 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 the batter has
had time to react to the play he/she could be called for
interference if he/she does not move out of the box and
interferes with a play.
Many people believe the batter's
box is a safety zone for the batter. It is not. The
batter MAY be called out for interference although
he/she is within the box. The key words, impede, hinder,
confuse or obstruct apply to this situation.
An umpire must use good judgment.
The batter cannot be expected to disappear. If he/she
has a chance to avoid interference after he/she has had
time to react to the situation and does not, he/she is
guilty. If he/she just swung at a pitch, or had to duck
a pitch and is off-balance, he/she can't reasonably be
expected to then immediately avoid a play at the plate.
However, after some time passes, if a play develops at
the plate, the batter must get out of the box and avoid
interference.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: INTERFERENCE (a), 6.06(c)
Myth # 6
The ball is dead on a foul tip.
There is nothing foul about a
foul-tip. If the ball nicks the bat and goes sharp and
direct to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally
caught, this is a foul tip by definition. A foul tip is
a strike and the ball is live. Base-runners may steal on
a foul-tip. It is the same as a swing-and-miss. If the
ball is not caught, it is a foul ball. If the nicked
pitch first hits the catcher somewhere other than the
hand or glove, it is not a foul tip. It is a foul ball.
If the event of a foul tip, the umpire should not
verbalize the word “foul” in any manner. Since the ball
is still live and runners may advance at their own risk,
verbalizing the word “foul” or “foul tip” would have a
tendency to stop all action since a foul ball is a dead
ball. The proper way to indicate a foul tip is to simply
signal the foul tip and then signal strike.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FOUL TIP, STRIKE (g)
Myth # 7
The batter may not switch batter's
boxes after two strikes.
The batter can switch boxes at any
time, provided he/she does not do it after the pitcher
is ready to pitch. The purpose of this rule (not
switching after the pitcher is in position ready to
pitch) is so that the batter does not confuse the
defense. Defenses often set up differently depending on
whether a batter is right or left-handed.
LL Playing Rules: 6.06(b)
Myth # 8
The batter who batted out of order
is the person declared out.
Who is called out and what is done
depends on when the appeal is made. There are three
different timeframes when the appeal occurs.
- The first is when an appeal is
made while the improper better is still at the plate. In
this case, the proper batter simply replaces the
improper batter and resumes whatever ball/strike count
the improper batter had attained.
- The second timeframe is an appeal
after the improper batter has completed his/her turn at
bat, but before the very first pitch to the next batter
(or very next play or attempted play). In this case, the
proper batter (the one who should have batted) is
declared out and the next batter is the batter who
follows the proper batter. The improper batter’s at-bat
is nullified and any advances made on the final pitch
are nullified. In this case, the next batter may be the
same exact batter who just batted improperly. Example:
The first two batters of the 2nd inning are supposed to
be, in order, Alvin and Bobby. Bobby bats first
(improperly) and singles. The defensive team realizes
that Alvin was supposed to be the first batter and
appeals before the first pitch to the next batter. The
umpire will declare Alvin out, because he failed to bat
in turn (he was the proper batter). Bobby’s single will
be nullified because of a ball batted by an improper
batter and Bobby will come to the plate again, because
he is the next proper batter.
- The third timeframe is when the
out-of-turn batter is appealed after his/her at bat is
completed and a pitch is made to the next batter before
the appeal (or a play is attempted or made before the
appeal). In this case, no one is declared out. Once the
next pitch is made to a batter after an improper batter,
the batter who batted out of turn becomes what the rules
call a “legalized improper batter.” The next batter to a
legalized improper batter will be the next person up in
the order after the legalized improper batter. No action
will be taken, in this instance, other than to assure
the official scorebook is properly marked and up to
date.
LL Playing Rules: 6.07
Myth # 9
The batter may not overrun first
base when he/she gets a base-on-balls.
OVERRUN FIRST BASE RULE MYTH
The Playing Rules simply state 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.
LL Playing Rules: 7.06 (c)
Exception
The Right Call - Casebook of Little
League Baseball (2004) Page 30 Comment
Myth #10
The batter is out if he/she starts
for the dugout before going to first after a dropped
third strike (Junior, Senior & Big League Only).
The batter may attempt first base
anytime prior to entering the dugout or a dead ball
area. First base must be unoccupied before 2 outs, or if
there are two outs, first base can be occupied.
LL Playing Rules: 6.09(b) NOTE
Myth #11
If the batter does not pull the bat
out of the strike zone while in the bunting position,
it's an automatic strike.
A strike is an attempt to hit the
ball. Simply holding the bat over the plate is not an
attempt.
A bunt is a batted ball not swung
at, but INTENTIONALLY met with the bat and tapped
slowly.
The key words are "intentionally
met with the bat"
If no attempt is made to make
contact with a ball outside the strike zone while in the
bunting stance, it should be called a ball. An effort
must be made to intentionally meet the ball with the
bat.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: Bunt,
The Right Call – Casebook of Little
League Baseball (2004) Page 7 Bunt Comment 2
Myth #12
The batter is out if his foot
touches the plate.
To be out, the batter's foot must
be ENTIRELY outside of the batter’s box when he/she
contacts the pitch and the ball goes fair or foul.
He/she is not out if he/she does not contact the pitch.
There is no statement about touching the plate in the LL
Playing Rules. The toe could be on the plate and the
heel could be touching the line of the batter’s box,
which means the foot is not entirely outside the box.
LL Playing Rules: 6.06(a)
Myth #13
The batter-runner is always out if
he/she runs outside the running lane to first base after
a bunted ball.
The runner must be out of the lane
AND cause interference. He/she is not out simply for
being outside the lane. The running lane (to first base)
is defined as the area between the foul line and the
three feet to the right of it, usually designated by
chalk lines, for the last half of the between home plate
and first base. Runners are required to run in this
lane, if a ball is being fielded to first base.
Keep in mind that he/she could be
called for interference even while in the lane. If a
fielder is fielding a ball inside of the running lane,
the runner must avoid contact with the fielder, even if
they need to run outside of the lane.
If he/she is out of the lane the
last half to the base and is hit with a quality throw,
he/she should be out. Please understand that the fielder
must make the throw and it must be a quality throw. If
the fielder gives up because he/she sees the runner in
the way and doesn’t make the throw, then you do not have
interference. Also, simply throwing the ball into the
runners back or over the fielder’s head will not be
interference because it wasn’t a quality throw to the
first base.
LL Playing Rules: Definition of
Terms: 2.00 Interference, 6.05(j), 7.09(k)
Myth #14
A runner is out if he/she
high-fives the coach while rounding third base (or first
base), after a homerun is hit over the fence.
The rule states that if a coach
physically assists a runner in returning to or advancing
from first or third base by touching or holding him/her,
it is interference.
Examples: If the runner falls over
and the coach helps them up while the ball is in play,
it is interference.
If the coach touches the runner at
the point of a catch by an outfielder, to indicate when
to tag up, it is interference.
If a coach physically grabs and
stops a player from proceeding to the next base, it is
interference.
The coach is not assisting a player
if they exchange high fives on a home run.
LL Playing Rules: 7.09(i)
The Right Call – Casebook of Little
League Baseball (2004): Page 31 Play 7-14
Myth #15
Tie goes to the runner.
There is no such thing in the world
of umpiring. The runner is either out or safe. The
umpire must judge out or safe. It is impossible to judge
a tie.
Myth #16
The runner gets the base he/she's
going to, plus one on a ball thrown out-of-play.
When a fielder throws the ball into
a dead ball area, the award is two bases. The award is
from where the runners were at the time of the pitch if
it is the first play by an infielder or pitcher acting
as a fielder. On all other plays into dead ball area,
the award is from where each runner was physically
positioned (last base attained) at the time the ball
left the throwers hand. If the ball was a pitch or an
attempted pick-off (anything thrown from the position of
the pitcher’s plate), and the ball goes into dead ball
area, the award is one base. Exception: If all runners,
including the batter-runner have advanced at least one
base when the infielder makes a wild throw on the first
play, the award shall be governed by the position of the
runners at the time of the wild throw. Please understand
that awards are based from the base last attained by the
runner, not the fact that they were within a few feet of
the next base. It doesn’t matter how close to the next
base the runner was, you always award based upon last
base attained at the time of the pitch or the time of
the throw.
LL Playing Rules: 7.05(g) (h)
Myth #17
Runners may never run the bases in
reverse order.
In order to correct a base running
mistake (such as missing a base), the runner MUST
retrace his steps and retouch the bases in reverse order
(If the ball is dead and the runner has touched the next
base beyond the missed base, the runner may not return
to touch the missed base. This might occur on a homerun
or a ground-rule double). In a tag up situation, if the
runner must return to a base, the runner must retrace
his/her steps and retouch the bases in reverse order.
The only time a runner is out for running in reverse is
when he/she is making a travesty of the game or tries to
confuse the defense. You might ask if a runner can
reverse his/her direction to touch a missed base after
the ball is dead. The answer is yes, as long as they
haven’t touched the base beyond the one missed. Of
course, in order to be declared out for missing a base,
you must have a proper appeal by the defensive team,
otherwise the play stands.
LL Playing Rules: 7.08(i), 7.10(b)
Myth #18
The runner must always slide when
the play is close.
There is no "must slide" rule. When
the fielder has the ball in his/her possession and is
waiting to tag the runner, the runner has two choices;
slide OR attempt to get around the fielder. He/she may
NOT deliberately or maliciously contact the fielder, but
he/she is NOT required to slide.
If the fielder does not have
possession but is in the act of fielding, and contact is
made, it is a no-call unless the contact was intentional
and malicious. No league can implement a “must slide
rule.”
LL Playing Rules: 7.08(a)(3)
Myth #19
The runner is always safe when hit
by a batted ball while touching a base.
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/she 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/she is hit on the foul
ground foot, he/she is not out. It is a foul ball. Does
this mean that a runner must vacate a base when the ball
is about to hit them? No – if the runner can show that
they are trying to get out of the way of the fielder and
still maintain touch with the bag – and they do not
interfere with the fielding of the ball, the runner can
maintain touch with the bag. Again, you must have
interference in order to call interference.
LL Playing Rules: 5.09(f), 7.08(f)
Myth #20
A runner may not steal on a foul
tip.
There is nothing foul about a foul
tip. If the ball nicks the bat and goes to the catcher's
glove or hand and is caught, this 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.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FOUL TIP, STRIKE (g)
Myth #21
It is a force out when a runner is
called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.
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 a failure to tag-up, is NOT a force
out. Any runs, that cross the plate before this out,
will count.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FORCE PLAY, 4.09 (a) Approved Ruling
Myth #22
An appeal on a runner who missed a
base cannot be a force out.
A runner must touch all the bases.
If the runner misses a base to which he/she was forced
because the batter became a runner and is put out before
touching that base, the out is still a force play. 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.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FORCE PLAY, TAG, 7.08(e), 7.10(b)
Myth #23
A runner is out if he/she runs out
of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a
batted ball.
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. The baseline is established on a runner
when a play is being made on that runner. It is not
simply a straight line between each base.
LL Playing Rules: 7.08(a)(1),
7.09(L)
Myth #24
Runners may not advance when an
infield fly is called.
An Infield-fly is no different than
any other fly ball in regard to the runners. The only
difference is that they are never forced to advance
because the batter is out whether the ball is caught or
not. Runners can advance at their own risk.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: INFIELD FLY, 6.05(d), 7.10(a)
Myth #25
No run can score when a runner is
called out for the third out for not tagging up.
Yes it can. A tag up 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
a failure to tag-up, is NOT a force out. Any runs, that
cross the plate before this out, will count.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FORCE PLAY, 4.09 Approved Ruling, 7.10(a)
Myth #26
A pitch that bounces to the plate
cannot be hit.
A pitch is a ball delivered to the
batter by the pitcher. It doesn't matter how it gets to
the batter. The batter may hit any pitch that is thrown
legally. A pitch that bounces before reaching the plate
may never be a “called” strike or a legally caught third
strike. If a batter swings and misses at a ball that
bounced before reaching the plate, it shall be a strike
(swinging strike).
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: PITCH, STRIKE (a)
The Right Call – Casebook of Little
League Baseball (2004): Page 9 Comment on Definition of
In Flight
Myth # 27
The batter does not get first base
if hit by a pitch after it bounces.
A pitch is a ball delivered to the
batter by the pitcher. It doesn't matter how it gets to
the batter, if it is a legally pitched ball. If the
batter is hit by a pitch (even if it bounces before it
reaches him/her), while attempting to avoid it, he/she
is awarded first base (of course, as long as they
haven’t swung at it).
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: PITCH, 6.08(b)
The Right Call – Casebook of Little
League Baseball (2004): Page 9 Comment on Definition of
In Flight
Myth # 28
If a fielder holds a fly ball for 2
seconds it's a catch.
A catch is legal when the umpire
judges that the fielder has COMPLETE control of the
ball. The release of the ball must be voluntary and
intentional.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: 2.00 CATCH
The Right Call – Casebook of Little
League Baseball (2004): Page 7, Play 2-1 Ruling, Play
2-2 Ruling
Myth # 29
You must tag the base with your
foot on a force out or appeal.
You can tag a base with ANY part of
the body.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FORCE PLAY, PERSON, TAG, 7.08(e)
Myth # 30
The ball is always immediately dead
on a balk (applies to Junior, Senior and Big League)
If a throw or 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. On a throw, if ALL runners advance on the
play, the balk is ignored. If not, the balk award is
enforced from the time of pitch. On a pitch (ball four),
if ALL runners INCLUDING the batter advance on the play,
the balk is ignored. Otherwise, it is no-pitch and the
balk award is made from the time of the pitch.
LL Playing Rules: 8.05
Junior/Senior/Big League Penalty
Myth # 31
If a player's feet are in fair
territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.
The position of the player's feet
or any other part of the body is irrelevant. A ball is
judged fair or foul based on the relationship between
the ball and the ground at the time the ball is touched
by the fielder.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: FAIR BALL, FOUL BALL Note (1)
Myth # 32
The ball must always be returned to
the pitcher before an appeal can be made.
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." The only reason the ball is
going back to the pitcher is so that the umpire can put
the ball back in play – which has nothing to do with the
appeal process. If time is not out, the appeal can be
made immediately.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition
of Terms: APPEAL, 5.11, 7.10
Myth # 33
The pitcher must come to a set
position before a pick-off throw. (Juniors, Seniors, Big
League)
The pitcher is required to come to
a complete stop in the Set position before delivering
the pitch, not before making a throw to a base.
LL Playing Rules: 8.05(m)
2004 LL RIM: Instructor’s Comments:
In Juniors, Seniors and Big League, the pitcher may step
and throw anytime during the stretch.
Myth # 34
The pitcher must step off the
rubber before a pick-off throw.
If the pitcher steps off the rubber
he/she is no longer the pitcher, he/she is a fielder.
He/she can throw to a base from the rubber, provided
he/she does not break any of the rules under rule 8.05
LL Playing Rules: 8.01(c) (e)
Myth # 35
If a fielder catches a fly ball and
then falls over the fence it is a homerun.
As long as the fielder is not
touching the ground in dead ball territory when he/she
catches the ball, it is a legal catch if he/she holds
onto the ball and meets the definition of a catch. If
the catch is not the third out and the fielder falls
down in dead ball territory after catching the ball, all
runners are awarded one base. If the fielder remains on
his feet in dead ball territory after the catch, the
ball is live and he/she may make a play.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 CATCH,
5.10(f) & Note, 6.05(a), 7.04(b)
Myth # 36
The ball is dead anytime the ball
hits an umpire.
If a batted ball hits an umpire
before it passes an infielder, the ball is dead (award
first base to the batter and one base each to any
runners). On any other batted or thrown ball, the ball
is live when the umpire is hit with the ball. Umpire
interference also occurs when the plate umpire
interferes with the catcher's attempt to prevent a
stolen base.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 INTERFERENCE
(c), 5.09(b), 5.09(f)
Myth # 37
The home plate umpire can overrule
the other umps at anytime.
The umpire who made a call or
ruling may ask for help if he/she wishes. No umpire may
overrule another umpire's call. Specifically, no umpire
shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with
another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the
umpire making it. The only time one umpire can overrule
another umpire is when two umpires have made different
decisions on one play. In that case, the umpire in chief
(plate umpire) shall make the final decision.
LL Playing Rules: 9.02(b) (c)
Myth # 38
A batter-runner may not slide into
first base.
There are no restrictions on any
runner, including the batter-runner, from sliding into
any base, feet first, including first base. At the
Major division and below, no runners may slide head
first. At the Junior, Senior & Big League levels, head
first sliding, at any base, is permitted.
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
