Men s Baseball Rule Clarifications

1 2013-2014 Men s Baseball Rule Clarifications The following proposals for rules clarification changes and Approved Rulings were accepted by the NCAA Men s Baseball Rules Committee at its recent annual meeting. These proposals were reviewed and approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) and will be incorporated into the rules book for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Subject Rule Page Proposal, Rationale Comment Coaches Boxes 1-3c 17 Add the words mandatory to line or differentiate to read: It is mandatory to line or differentiate both coaches boxes... Rationale: Clarification and consistency for all game venues. New Fields 1-5c and 4-3e Equipment Bat Equipment Bat 1-12b PENALTY Pitcher s Glove 1-13c, A.R. 2 19 & 50 1-5c... and that each bullpen shall have a minimum of two mounds constructed to the exact measurements... 4-3e Each bullpen must be provided with a minimum of two mounds with regulation pitching rubbers and home plates in... Rationale: Clarification, consistency and editorially defines the minimum number of pitching rubbers for each bullpen. 21 Rewrite: PENALTY: A bat that has been flattened or altered to improve performance is an illegal bat. If such an illegal bat is detected before the first pitch, it shall be removed from the game and the batter will be required to use a bat that conforms to the rule. If detected after the first pitch, legal or illegal, the batter shall be declared out, and base runners shall not advance as a result of a batted ball. The bat shall be removed from the contest. Rationale: Clarifies and defines the penalty for an illegal bat. 1-12d 22 Change the word aluminum to non-wood Rationale: Editorial, to make consistent with other sections of the rules book. Not all bats are aluminum, some are composite. 22 The pitcher s glove may not be white or gray, exclusive of piping nor, in the judgment of the umpire, be distracting in any way. Rationale: Makes the rule less confusing for participants and umpires and allows for more consistent understanding and enforcement.

2 Penalties for illegal glove Cont., PENALTIES (2) 23 Delete the word catch and insert the word, play to read If a play is made with illegal equipment... (2) 23 Rationale: Editorial Dugouts (Players Benches 1-16a & 1-16b 26 Change players and substitutes or player to personnel. Rationale: Identifies all members of a team and not just players. Appeal 2-1 28 Add: A.R. 1 An appeal may be any act that unmistakably indicates an appeal. Rationale: More clearly defines what act is considered an appeal and sets the definition apart from other rule publications (NFHS). Bullpen 2-12 29 Add, A.R. during a game, the game pitcher may use the bullpen mound if he does not delay the start of the next half inning. Penalty for delay: As dictated by the Pitch Clock Protocol. Rationale: Clarification of procedures that have been followed in the past. Catch Defined 2-15 29 Add A.R. Only two circumstances may be interpreted as creating a voluntary and intentional release. a. When the momentum of the catch is complete; i.e., the fielder has reversed his direction and is running the ball back toward the infield or; b. When the fielder is reaching for the ball to make a throw. Rationale: More clearly defines a catch. Will make for more consistency in ruling on catch or no catch. Catcher s Box 2-17 30 Add A.R. the catcher shall have both feet in the catcher s box until the pitch is released. PENALTY: With runners on base a balk shall be called. With no runners on, it is an illegal pitch. Rationale: Clarification and consistency in enforcement Ejections 2-25 31 Add A.R. 6 When an assistant coach, player or team personnel other than the head coach, is ejected for disputing an umpire s decision or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, (including a post-participation ejection) he will receive a one-game suspension in addition to the present game ejection. There will be a three-game suspension for subsequent

3 ejections in the same season. The individual school will see that all suspensions are served. Ejections, cont. 2-25 (cont.) 31 Rationale: Clarification and strengthening of present rule for sportsmanship. Ejections` 2-25 31 Add: A.R. 7 No team personnel may argue or continue to excessively express themselves with prolonged actions or offensive language after an ejection. PENALTY: An additional two-game suspension. Rationale: Clarification and strengthening of present rule for sportsmanship. Fair Ball 2-26 32 Delete the last sentence under Fair Ball and add the following definition: a. Settles on fair territory between home plate and first or third bases. b. Bounds past first or third base on or over fair territory. c. First touches fair territory beyond first or third base, including the foul pole, or; d. First touches a player, umpire or any piece of equipment while over fair territory. A batted ball that hits the rubber and rebounds to foul territory between first and home or third and home is a foul ball. Rationale: Clarification of present rule. Tag 2-74 40 Add the word intentional to the last sentence to read: A voluntary and intentional release is substantive proof of complete control. Rationale: Further clarifies control. Tag 2-74 40 Add A.R. a ball stuck in a fielder s glove remains alive. If the fielder tosses the ball/glove combination to another fielder in time to complete a tag of a base or runner in advance of the base and the ball/glove combination is held securely, the runner or batter-runner is out. Rationale: Further clarifies what constitutes control as it relates to a tag. Base Coaches Duties 3-3e 43 Add A.R. other runners may make outs or advance on the bases. Rationale: Clarification

4 Umpires Duties Umpires Duties Jersey Numbers Spectator Interference Catcher s Position 3-6j 45 Delete the words and umpires to read: Players and coaches [and umpires] are prohibited from deliberately erasing the batter s box or other lines. Umpires shall stop the individual from erasing the lines. Rationale: Editorial, umpires do not erase lines. 3-6j 45 Add A.R. the umpire has authority to require the batter to stand in a proper batting position. He may require the grounds crew to reline the box. After a warning, individuals who repeatedly commit this infraction may be ejected. Rationale: Provides specific guidance to ensure the rule is applied consistently. 4-4a Note 51 Add to the existing note: If a player s jersey number does not match the number on the official lineup, the umpire shall ensure that the number on all cards is corrected. Lineup cards are required to list the batting order by names. Numbers are a courtesy. There is no penalty. Rationale: Clarifies that umpires shall correct an incorrect number on a lineup card without penalty. 4-8a (2) 52 Revise to read: The umpire shall declare intentional interference and award just compensation, be it an out, extra bases, etc., if a spectator intentionally reaches out of the stands or goes out onto the playing field. The ball is dead immediately. Rationale: Clarifies that interference by a spectator must be intentional and editorial by changing on to onto. 5-4a 55 Change limits to lines. Rationale: Editorial Halted Game 5-9c 62 Add A.R. when the Halted Game is agreed upon prior to the start of a non-conference contest and the contest cannot be finished; the unfinished game becomes no contest. Rationale: Provides guidance to umpires and coaches that an agreed upon halted game provision cannot be changed to a regulation once it has been determined the game cannot be completed. Protested Games 5-13 65 Add f. Once ejected, a head coach may not protest a game situation. If a protest is to be lodged, it must be done by the designated head coach.

5 Rationale: Clarifies specifically who may lodge a protest when the head coach has been ejected. Fight Rule 5-16b 67 Delete the word intentionally from the body of the rule. To read: kicking, [delete intentionally] spitting, [change spewing to spraying] spraying... Fight Rule, cont. Fight Rule Penalty 5-16b, cont. 5-16 PENALTY (4) (d), 67 Revise bumping to contact and add: kicking dirt on an umpire. Rationale: Editorial change and re-wording for clarification. 68 Delete the words, one game to read: When a penalty occurs during the team s last game of the season, the penalty will be assessed at the beginning of the next official NCAA spring season. Rationale: Clarifies that a penalty that occurs in the last game of a season and the penalty carries more than a one game suspension will carry over to the next season. Ball in Play, Out of Play Runners Return Delayed Dead Ball Runners Advance 6-1d (3) 72 Delete the word outfield and replace with the word any. Rationale: Clarification, the catch does not have to be made in the outfield. It may be made in foul territory where the fence is a temporary snow fence. 6-2g 74 Add A.R. 2: If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner or a runner out for offensive interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was legally attained at the time of the interference. Rationale: Clarifies further the present rule where base runners shall be placed after offensive interference has been called. 6-3b, Penalties for b. (3) 75 Add the word illegal to the following: any illegal action by the offense. Rationale: Clarifies that the offense should not be penalized for something the offense does that is legal. Previously, it was misinterpreted that the offense would be penalized for any action, legal or illegal. 6-4b 75 Add EXCEPTION: Any legal pitch hits a runner trying to score immediate dead ball, base runners advance if they were stealing with the pitch. If not stealing, all base runners remain at the base they occupied at the time of the pitch. Rationale: Makes this rule consistent with 7-11s, removes the contradiction between 6-4b and 7-11s that existed in the rule book.

6 Offensive Conferences Offensive Conferences 6-5f 76 Replace the word fourth with third. A coach or player calls a third timeout... Rationale: make the body of the rule consistent with the application. 6-5f 76 Add A.R. Offensive conferences may be used consecutively in the same inning. Rationale: Clarification for the present rule and the way the rule has been previously applied over the years. Granting a Batter Time Granting a Batter Time Batter or Batter-Runner Is Out Batter or Batter-Runner Is Out Batter or Batter-Runner Is Out 7-1b, A.R. 1 7-1b, A.R. 2 78 Delete the word only at the end of the sentence. Revise to read... but the umpire should only do so for safety reasons. Rationale: Editorial 78 Add A.R. 2 Time may be granted if the pitcher holds (freezes) the batter too long in his batting position. [See p. 142, Appendices F, 5] Rationale: Clarification, A.R. is in the present book in the appendices but has been hard to find for some. Reorder A.R. s in 7-1b 7-11f 87 Add A.R. 2 a batter s actions must be intentional for there to be interference during a catcher s return throw to the pitcher. PENALTY: The batter is out and all runners return to their bases at the time of the pitch. Rationale: Clarification and consistency in application 7-11f 87 Add A.R. 3 if it is unintentional and the return throw to the pitcher hits the batter or his bat while he is in the batter s box, the ball remains live and in play. Rationale: Clarification and consistency in application 7-11f 87 Add A.R. 4 if the batter does nothing intentional and no runners are attempting to advance, and the catcher s return throw to the pitcher hits the batter or his bat while he is legally out of the batter s box, it is not interference. The ball is immediately dead and all runners return without penalty. Rationale: Clarifies that the batter s actions must be intentional for interference to be called.

7 Batter Interferes With A Batted Foul Ball Running Lane Violation Placement of runners Placement of Base Runners- Interference During A Rundown Balk Created By Catcher s Interference Detached Equipment 7-11o 88 Revise present rule to read:... the batter-runner intentionally deflects the course of a ball that has a chance of becoming fair, or intentionally interferes with the catcher s attempt to field a third strike. The ball is dead, the batter is out, and no runners may advance. Rationale: Clarification of present rule and more consistent application of the penalty of the batter being out. 7-11p 88 Revise A.R. 1 to read, If the batter-runner is outside the running lane and alters the throw or interferes with the attempted catch of the thrown ball or is hit by the throw, the batter-runner shall be called out. EXCEPTION: The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot running lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base and for the sole purpose of touching first or attempting to avoid a tag. He may exit the running lane on his last stride or step if he has been running legally within the running lane up to that point. Rationale: Adds consistency in the application of this rule. 7-11s 89 Revise the last sentence to read: All other runners return to the base(s) occupied at the time of the pitch unless they were stealing with the pitch. Rationale: Removes the contradiction with 6-4b, clarifies and improves consistency in application. 8-1c 90 Add A.R. no runner shall advance on an interference play called on another runner. A runner is considered to occupy a base until he legally has reached and touched the next base. Rationale: Promotes a more consistent application in the placement of base runners after an interference call that occurs during a rundown. Although this has always been the rule, the placement of the other runners has not been consistent with all levels of umpires. 8-2e (2) 92 Add EXCEPTION: If there is catcher s interference on a squeeze play, the batter is awarded first base, the run scores and all other runners advance one base on the balk created by the interference. Rationale: Eliminates contradiction with 8-3p and provides for consistency in the application of the penalty. 8-2h 92 Revise to remove in the opinion of the umpire. Rationale: Editorial, all decisions are in the opinion of an umpire.

8 Spectator Interference Placement of Runners on Awards 8-3k 94 Delete touches a spectator and revise to read, is intentionally touched by a spectator. Rationale: Editorial, promotes consistency with 6-1h and 4-8a (2), eliminates contradiction in the current rules. 8-3o (4) 97 Add A.R. 2 when multiple runners are to be awarded two bases, the following runner will be awarded only one base if the award of two bases would place him at the same base as a preceding runner. Rationale: Clarification eliminates confusion as to where to place following runners after an award is made to a lead runner. Runner is Out 8-5i 100 Add A.R. a ball stuck in a fielder s glove remains alive. If the fielder tosses the ball/glove combination to another fielder in time to complete a tag of a base or runner in advance of the base and the ball/glove combination is held securely, the runner or batter-runner is out. Rationale: Provides specific guidance to how the rule has always been interpreted. Sets the NCAA rule apart from NFHS and makes it consistent with OBR. Runner is out 8-5 101 Add: r. the runner deliberately knocks the ball from the fielder s hand. The ball is immediately dead. Rationale: Clarification on the status of the ball after intentional interference. Out on Appeals Runners Out on Appeals Runners Out on Appeals Runners Out on Appeals 8-6b (6) 103 Fourth line, change sign to signal so that it reads, If the defensive team fails to identify such runner, the umpire should give no [delete sign ] signal. Rationale: Editorial. Umpires do not sign, they signal. 8-6a 101 First sentence, delete the words made when: and revise to read, that occur as a result of a base running error when: Rationale: Editorial 8-6a 102 Add A.R. 4 if obstruction causes a runner to miss a base, the runner shall not be called on appeal for missing the base. Rationale: Consistency in understanding how obstruction affects a runner who misses a base. 8-6b (8) 103 Change catcher has left the position to catcher has left his position on the... Rationale: Editorial

9 Runners Out on Appeals Pitching Violations Pitching Violations Pitching Violations Audio and Video Appendix B- Video Board Appendix B- Video Board 8-6b (9) 103 Add A.R. if the defense will make more than one appeal, the defense must appeal in the correct order unless it is an advantageous fourth out appeal. (See 8-6b (7). Rationale: Consistency for umpires in handling appeals. 9-2c 108 Revise to read: Delay the game at any time. With the bases unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball within 20 seconds after receiving the ball on the mound. Rationale: Rule is now consistent with the wording in Appendix F, 20- second Pitch Clock Limit, 1, p. 141. 9-2c PENALTY 108 Revise to read: After a warning for each pitcher, a ball will be called each time the rule is violated. Rationale: Clearly defines that the penalty applies to each pitcher who enters the contest and that the warning is not a team warning. Makes the wording consistent with Pitch Clock Limit, 1, p. 141. 9-2d 109 Revise by deleting the word pitching and replacing with engages the rubber. Rationale: Makes the wording of the rule consistent with the interpretation and enforcement. Consistency in the application for the umpires. Makes the wording in-line with A.R. 1 Appendix B Appendix B, 4. Add Section C 133 Add to A. 1... may not be shown, a. No replay may be shown during a dispute with an umpire. Reorder remaining items. Rationale: Specifies what may not be shown on the video board during this time frame. 134 Delete steps into the batter s box. Replace with enters the dirt circle. To read: Close ups of the batter in the on-deck circle are permitted, but once a player enters the dirt circle, all live action must stop. Rationale: Pace of Play, 134 C. Announcing the Next Batter and substitutions The public address announcer will announce the first batter of the inning immediately after the catcher throws the ball down to second base and announce any following batter no later than when t he ball reaches the third baseman or any infielder on a ball being thrown in

10 from the outfield. Appendix B Audio and Video Board Add to C 134 Public address announcers may not announce a pitch hitter or new pitcher until signaled in from the umpire. Umpires are to be alert for lead-off pinch hitters in the on-deck circle, in order to confirm the substitution and have such batter announced on time. Rational: Pace-of-Play 08-01-2012