Plainfield Independent Umpires Rules meeting 2014 with key rules emphasis for 2014

1. Rules Meeting

3.  Only players, managers and rostered
coaches allowed on the field
 All game participants must stay in
the dugouts
 Two adult base coaches allowed
 One adult in dugout at all times
 Managers and coaches cannot go on
the field without umpire’s
permission
 No alcohol or tobacco anywhere
 All participants must display the
highest standards of conduct and
discipline

4.  commit any unsportsmanlike act to include, but not limited to,
◦ use of words or actions to incite or attempt to incite spectators
demonstrations,
◦ use of profanity, intimidation tactics, remarks reflecting unfavorably upon
any other person, or taunting or baiting.
◦ behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play;
◦ be in live ball territory (excluding team’s bullpen area) during the
opponent’s
◦ infield practice prior to the start of the game.
◦ any member of the coaching staff who was not the head coach (or
designee) leaves the vicinity of the dugout or coaching box to dispute a
judgment call by an umpire.
◦ be outside the designated dugout (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter,
runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on
defense.
 PENALTY: The umpire shall eject the offender from the game,
unless the offense is judged to be of a minor nature. The umpire
may warn the offender and then eject him if he repeats the
offense.

5.  deliberately throw a bat, helmet, etc.;
 initiate malicious contact on offense or
defense;
 call “Time” or use any command or commit
any act for the purpose of causing a balk; or
 use tobacco or tobacco-like products within
the confines of the field.
 leave their positions or bench area for the
purpose of fighting or physical confrontation
 PENALTY: The umpire shall eject the offender
from the game. Failure to comply shall result
in game being forfeited.

6.  A manager or coach who gets ejected MUST
leave the game site for the remainder of the
game, period.
◦ No hanging around the outfield fence, parking lot,
concession stand, etc.
◦ Failure to comply is grounds for suspending play
until they leave
◦ Ejected player may still remain in the dugout under
adult supervision
◦ A manager or coach ejected from a game will also
receive a mandatory suspension for the next
scheduled game.

7.  When thunder is heard, and/or cloud to ground lightning is seen, the
thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.
Suspend play immediately.
 Instruct the managers to move their teams out of the dugouts and away
from the field to a place of safety.
 Notify umpires on nearby fields, in case they are not aware of the
weather issue, then leave the field for a place a safety.
 Thirty Minute Rule:
◦ Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is
heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
◦ Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count, the
clock resets and another 30-minute count begins.
 There are no exceptions to this rule!
 45 minutes will be the maximum time a game will be suspended if there
are games to be played after the game suspended for inclement
weather. After 45 minutes delay, the game will be suspended, cancelled,
and/or considered complete based on the rules for the Division or
league involved.
 NOTE: If it is a travel game with teams that have traveled to Plainfield the
umpires, at their discretion, may extend the 45 minute maximum wait
time if there are no games scheduled after said game.

9.  Base runners approaching any base will be required to either slide or
avoid contact when there is a contested play at those bases. "Bowling
over" or "plowing into" defensive players will not be tolerated. The
offensive player involved in the interference shall be called out and all
base runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the
interference. Interpretation of the intent and degree of contact rests
solely with the umpire.
 Stopping a game, at any point, for an injured player is at the sole
discretion of the umpire(s), with the safety of the injured player being
the determining factor of when play is stopped. If play is stopped in the
middle of a play, the umpire(s) will determine where base runners are to
be placed and it is solely at their discretion.
 Any batter who unintentionally throws a bat whether the ball is batted
fair or foul, and a safety issue is present, the umpire shall call the batter
out. The ball is a dead ball and all runners returned to the bases
occupied prior to the pitch. No warning is required.

11.  Players in the game are prohibited from wearing jewelry such as
rings, watches, earrings, bracelets, necklaces (including cloth or
string types) or other hard cosmetic or decorative items.
Religious and medical-alert medals are not considered jewelry. A
religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A
medical-alert medal must be taped and may be visible.
◦ EXCEPTION: Unadorned devices, such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair
clips, no longer than 2 inches, may be worn to control a player’s hair.
 No manager will attempt to stall. If a manager attempts to stall,
the umpire will determine whether the manager will be
suspended, pending PAC Board of Directors review.
 Fake Bunt then swing or hit the ball is strictly prohibited. The
ball is dead, the batter is out and all runners returned to the
base they occupied at the time of the pitch. Both managers are
also warned, repeat will result in ejection of the head coach.
◦ SWS is exempt from the above rule per PAC board approval

13.  Baseball bats are for baseball
◦ Must bear the BESR logo or listed approved little league
with BPF of 1.15” or less, no weight restrictions
◦ Pinto/Maverick & Coach Pitch will be restricted to 2 1/4 “
or less diameter, no weight restrictions
◦ Mustang, Bronco- will be restricted to 2 5/8 “ or less
diameter, no weight restrictions
◦ Colt/Palamino- will be restricted to 2 5/8 “ or less
diameter, with a maximum drop weight of minus 3 and
no more than 36” in length. Bats should comply with
NFHS restrictions and have the BBCOR approved label.
 Softball bats are for softball
◦ All must have ASA logo
 Bats may be aluminum, wood, or composite
 Use of illegal bats will not be tolerated

14.  All players should be in the same uniform
◦ Be reasonable in cold weather
◦ Don’t get too picky!
 What’s not allowed:
◦ Long white sleeves on pitchers
◦ Arm and wrist bands on pitchers
◦ Frayed or ragged sleeves
◦ Jewelry (including rubber bracelets)
 Except medical alert stuff

15.  Catcher must wear a catcher’s mitt
◦ Leeway given at the younger division to use a
fielders mitt
 First baseman may wear glove or first
baseman’s mitt
 Pitcher’s glove restrictions:
◦ Any color but white or grey
◦ No attachments
◦ Batting glove under fielding glove okay as long as
not distracting

16.  Required for all batters, base runners, players
in coach’s boxes, and bat retrievers
 Must be NOCSAE certified
 Chin straps, face guards are optional
◦ Chin Straps mandatory all softball
◦ Faceguards required Mustang down in Baseball and
all softball
 No cracks or unauthorized paint or decals
 NOTE: Warning issued for any player
removing helmet in live ball territory

17.  Required: Chest protector, helmet or mask,
and shin guards
 Cup for male catchers
 Helmet or mask must:
◦ Be NOCSAE certified
◦ Must have throat guard (even on hockey-style
masks)
◦ No cracks or unauthorized paint or decals
 SAFETY: All non adults must wear a catchers
mask when squatting to warm up a pitcher

18.  A game will consist of (See matrix back cover) innings or until time limit is
reached. No inning will be started after (See matrix back cover). Any inning
started before this time period must be completed. Extra innings will be played if
the score tied and the time limit has not been met. If the time limit is met and the
home team is leading or took the lead and at bat, then the game will be called
official at the point the time limit is met.
◦ All regular season, in-house softball and baseball games will have a maximum playing time
of 15 minutes beyond the divisions time limit. Once this time the maximum time is reached
the game will stopped and the official game score will be recorded as the results of the last
completed inning.
 Mercy Rule - If a team is leading an opponent by ten (10) or more runs in baseball
or twelve (12) or more runs in softball and the minimum number of innings have
been played as detailed in the matrix on the back cover (Note - home team does
not need to bat in the bottom of inning if leading by ten (10) runs), the game shall
be terminated and the team with the ten (10) run lead shall be declared the
winner.
 NOTE- In divisions where a maximum number of runs can be scored in an inning
and a team is unable to score enough runs in an inning for the mercy rule not to
be invoked their turn at bat should still be completed if they have not reached the
minimum innings for Mercy rule. Example Team A is a mustang team as leading
Team B 16 to 0 going into the 4th inning. Team B’s at bat should still be
completed prior to invoking the Mercy rule provided time limit not yet expired, at
time it should be called.

19.  Pitch that is not in the strike zone
 Pitch that bounces and then goes through the
strike zone
 Pitch that hits batter but batter does not
attempt to get out of the way
 An award due to certain pitching infractions

20.  “Live Ball” Strikes
◦ Ball swung at and missed
◦ Ball not swung at that passes through the strike
zone
◦ Foul tip
 “Dead Ball” Strikes
◦ Foul ball with less than two strikes
◦ Foul bunt
◦ Touches batter while in the strike zone
◦ Batter swings or attempts to bunt and the ball
contacts the batter

21.  Area over the plate
 Top: batter’s arm pits
 Bottom: Top of batter’s knees
 Batter in “natural” stance
◦ “Natural” is the position of the
batter as he swings the bat
◦ Zone doesn’t change when
◦ He ducks
◦ He steps out of the box
◦ He moves way up or way back in
the box

22.  AGE SPECIFIC STRIKE ZONE FOR PAC
GAMES
 Upper & Lower Limits:
◦ 8U/10U/Pinto/Maverick – chin to
mid-shin
◦ 12U/Mustang – shoulders to mid-
shin
◦ 14U/Bronco – arm pits to mid-shin
◦ 16U/Pony – letters to upper shin
◦ 18U/Colt/Palomino – bottom of
the letters to bottom of the knee
◦ Inside & Outside Limits:
 One ball inside and 1 - 2 balls
outside.

23.  Secure possession of ball in hand or glove
 Ball must be in flight
 Held firmly before it touches the ground
 Fielder must show complete control
 Release must be voluntary and intentional
 Dropping the ball while in the act of throwing
is okay

24.  Ball hits the ground first
 Ball falls out before fielder pulls it out of
glove
 Fielder uses any part of uniform or equipment
to secure the ball
 Ball falls out of the glove after the fielder
◦ Falls to the ground
◦ Collides with another player
◦ Collides with the fence

25.  Runner that HAS to advance because batter-
runner is going to first
 Forced runner can be retired by tagging
runner or forced-to base
 Force is removed when:
◦ Batter-runner is retired (all forces removed)
◦ A following runner is retired (force is removed on
lead runner)
 When force is removed, runners must be
tagged

26.  A person may only be tagged:
◦ With the ball while holding it
◦ With the glove while the ball is in it
◦ With the hand while the ball is in it
 A bag may be tagged with any part of the
body while holding the ball in the hand or
glove

27.  Foul lines, bases and plate are in Fair
Territory
 Bouncing ball that travels past first base or
third base while in fair territory
 Bouncing ball that travels over any part of the
first base or third base bag
 Untouched ball in flight that lands in fair
territory at or beyond first base or third base
 Ball touched in fair territory, regardless of
fielder's position

28.  Bouncing ball that travels past 1B or 3B while
in foul territory
 Untouched ball in flight that lands in foul
territory
 Ball touched in foul territory, regardless of
person's position
 Ball which touches anything “foreign to
natural ground" in foul territory before first
base or third base
 Batted ball that hits batter while in the box

29.  Batted ball that goes sharp and direct from
the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally
caught
◦ Must hit the hand or mitt first
◦ Must be caught by the catcher
◦ A short-hop is not a legal catch
 A Foul Tip is a Strike. Ball is Live and in play;
runners may run!
 Umpires: Do not call “Foul Ball!”

31.  Rule is to prevent defense from getting a “cheap”
double play
 Situation:
◦ Less than two outs
◦ Runners on 1st and 2nd, or bases loaded
◦ Fair fly ball (not line drive or bunt)
 Ball may be caught by an infielder using “ordinary
effort”
 Can be an outfielder positioned near the infield
who catches it
NOTE: See Matrix for what divisions this applies

32.  If the umpire believes that the infield fly rule
is in force they call “Infield Fly” when the ball
reaches its apex
 When called, the batter is out and the force is
immediately removed
 If caught runners must tag up
 If dropped the ball is live and runners may
advance at their own risk
 Due to the requirement of “ordinary effort”
the infield fly is a judgment call of the umpire
and there is no option for an appeal

34.  When the batter is being given an intentional
base on balls the manager or catcher informs
the home plate umpire anytime during the at
bat
◦ Player will be given first base and any forced
runners will advance one base
◦ Ball is dead at this time
 NOTE- See Matrix for if allowed by division

35.  In House bat’s using continuous batting order
for all games
 We use free defensive substitutions
 Courtesy Runner for pitcher or catcher
anytime but mandatory for catcher with 2
outs and is last batted out
 Injured player are skipped without penalty
 If a batter or runner gets injured and cannot
continue the offensive player that made the
last out will pinch run

36.  Base coaches may be placed one near first
and the other near third base
 Base coaches may be:
◦ Eligible players in uniform with helmet
◦ A team manager or coach
 Both base coaches may be composed of a
manager or coach as long as at least one
other adult manager or coach is in the dugout
 Remain within the base coaches box
 Talk ONLY to members of their own team

37.  If a runner attempts to score during a play in
which the third out is made
◦ Run will count if
 The player touches first, second, third and home base
before three players are put out to end the inning
◦ Run will NOT count if third out is:
 An out of the batter-runner before touching first base
 A force out
 An upheld appeal of a of a runner to touch any of the
bases

38.  The umpire must judge whether the runner
touched the plate before the out is made
◦ If the runner touches the plate before the out, the
run counts
◦ If the runner touches the plate after the out, the run
does NOT count
 In a close call, the plate umpire MUST inform
the official scorekeeper if the run counts

39.  In a game where ten (10) or more players are listed
to bat, a player not able to bat due to injury sustained
during the game will be skipped in the batting order
and not recorded as an out. In a game where nine (9)
batters are listed to bat, a player not able to bat due
to an injury sustained during the game will be
skipped in the batting order and recorded as an out.
 Teams will be allowed to start and finish a game with
eight (8) players and the ninth spot in the batting
order will be recorded as an out.
 Replacement players from another team are allowed
to prevent a forfeit. They can only play outfield and
bat last in the batting order. Commissioner must
approve or the opposing manager
 If a team does not have or falls to or below 8 players
the game is forfeited. This is enforced at the start of
the official game start time.

40.  Batter gets hit by pitch
 Plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw
 An illegal pitch is committed
 Illegally batted ball (fair or foul)
 Foul ball not caught
 Runner interferes with fielder
 A fair batted ball hits a runner before touching a
fielder
 A fair batted ball hits an umpire before it passes
an infielder other than a pitcher
 When an umpire calls “Time”

41.  Runner gets obstructed while defense is
making a play on him
 Runner interferes with a batted ball
 Manager, coach, player requests it AND the
umpire grants it
 Someone gets seriously injured
 Severe weather Umpire wants to clean off the
plate or secure a base
 Don’t call “Time” when it isn’t needed
 Always call “Play” to resume the game

43.  Batter must get in the box promptly
◦ Both feet must be in the box
◦ Foot on the line is OK
◦ Foot over the line is NOT OK
 Batter cannot leave the box once the pitcher
gets in Set Position
◦ If the Batter does leave the box the umpire will call
a Ball or STRIKE as the pitch dictates
 If the batter refuses to get in box the umpire
shall call a strike without the need for a
thrown pitch. The ball is a dead ball after the
strike is called

44. A batter becomes a runner when the batter receives a
dropped third strike and one of the following
conditions exist:
 First base is empty AND there is less than two outs
 There are two outs
A batter is OUT when the batter receives a dropped
third strike and one of the following conditions exist:
 There is a man on first and less than 2 outs
*Applies only to Bronco and above; 12u and above; see
Matrix

45. Other than the obvious reasons the following
conditions result in the batter begin out:
 Bunting foul on a third strike
 Bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory
 Batter is touched by his own fair ball (unless a
fielder had a chance to field it) outside the
batters box
 Batter swings at a third strike, but the ball
hits his hand, wrist, arm, etc.
 An infield fly is called

47.  The batter is out when
◦ He hits the ball with a foot completely out of the
box and on the ground
◦ He steps from one box to the other when pitcher is
ready to pitch
◦ He interferes with a play
◦ The batter is discovered having used an illegal bat
prior to the next player entering the batter’s box

48.  If defense appeals before Improper Batter
completes the at-bat then the Proper Batter
should simply come to the plate and assume the
count
 If defense appeals after Improper Batter
completes his at-bat
◦ Proper Batter is ruled out
◦ Result of at bat is nullified (except what happens during
at bat)
◦ Next batter up is the batter after the Proper Batter
 The defense must make appeal before the first
pitch to the next batter

49.  If defense fails to appeal
◦ Improper Batter’s at-bat counts
◦ Improper Batter now becomes the Proper Batter
◦ Next batter up is the batter after the new Proper
Batter
 The offense cannot appeal their own error
 Umpires and scorekeepers: SHHHH!!!

50.  Four “balls” have been called
 Batter gets hit by pitch unless
◦ He swung at the pitch
◦ He doesn’t try to avoid the pitch
◦ The pitch was in the strike zone
 Fielder interferes with batter
 A runner or umpire touches a batted ball
before it passes a fielder other than pitcher

51. The batter becomes a runner when:
 A fair ball is hit
 An uncaught third strike occurs and
◦ Nobody is on first
◦ First base is occupied with two outs
 Batter can’t advance after leaving dirt area
toward around home plate clearly going to
dugout.
 Not interference if batter runs when he
shouldn’t

52. Break 5 Minutes

54.  When two runners are on base, it’s not an
automatic out
◦ Lead runner is entitled (unless forced)
◦ Trail runner (lead runner if forced) is out if tagged
 If fielder tags both, point to runner who is out
to prevent confusion

56.  Have to determine
◦ Who threw the ball?
◦ If an infielder, was it an “initial”play (pg. 15) or
“subsequent” play?
◦ Where were the runners?
 If “initial” play by infielder, two bases from
Time of Pitch (unless all runners reached their
subsequent bases)
 Any other: two bases from Time of Throw
 Award is never from when ball goes out of
play

57.  Obstruction occurs when a defensive player
impedes a runner’s progress and:
◦ Doesn’t have possession of the ball
◦ Is not in the act of fielding a batted ball
 A fake tag is Obstruction

58.  Fielder without the ball cannot impede a
runner
 Obstructed runner being played upon, or
batter obstructed before reaching first
◦ Immediate dead ball
◦ Runners get base they would have achieved had
there been no obstruction
◦ Obstructed runner gets at least the next base from
last one legally touched before the obstruction
 Softball- There is no rule on at least the next base the
rule is only to place at the base they would have
achieved had there been no obstruction

59.  Fielder without the ball cannot impede a
runner
 Obstructed runner not being played upon
◦ Umpire signals and calls Obstruction
◦ Delayed dead ball
◦ End of play, umpire awards bases, IF ANY, that
nullifies the obstruction
◦ Obstructed runner could overrun his protection

61.  The not-so-obvious, runner is out when he:
◦ Avoids a tag by going three feet out of his base
path
◦ Doesn’t slide or avoid contact with a fielder waiting
to make a tag
◦ Abandons first after touching it
◦ Passes a lead runner
◦ Runs bases in reverse order
◦ Misses home and doesn’t return (must be appealed)

63.  Interference occurs when someone prevents
the defense from making a play
◦ Offensive interference
◦ Umpire interference
◦ Spectator interference
 Exception: Defensive interference is when a
defensive player prevents the batter from
hitting a pitch

64.  Umpire interference: only two ways
◦ Base umpire gets hit by a batted ball before it
passes an infielder other than the pitcher
◦ Plate umpire prevents a catcher from throwing out a
base runner
 It’s NOT umpire interference if
◦ Batted ball was deflected
◦ Catcher throws out runner
◦ Umpire gets hit by a thrown ball
◦ Umpire gets in the way of a base runner

65.  Spectator interference
◦ Happens when a fan reaches into the field of play
and interferes
◦ Could also happen when fan clearly causes a player
to react and affect play
◦ Ball is immediately dead
◦ Umpire awards bases and penalties
 It’s NOT interference if ball is beyond field
boundaries

66.  A runner is out for interference when
◦ He hinders a fielder attempting to field a batted ball
(no intent required)
◦ He intentionally hinders a fielder’s throw
◦ A batter hinders a play on that runner at home with
less than two outs
◦ A teammate hinders a play on that runner
◦ The base coach physically assists that runner

67.  A runner is out for interference when
◦ The base coach acts like that runner to draw a
throw
◦ He is hit by a batted ball before a fielder had a
chance to field it
◦ He violates the runner’s lane
 Except for coach’s assistance, ball is dead

68.  A runner is NOT out for interference when
◦ He unintentionally hinders a throw
◦ He is hit by a batted ball after it gets by a fielder
other than the pitcher
◦ He is hit by a deflected batted ball
◦ He runs into a fielder chasing a loose ball (this is
Obstruction)

71.  What constitutes a viable appeal?
◦ Runner misses a base
◦ Runner fails to tag up on a caught fly ball
◦ Runner fails to return to first immediately
◦ Runner fails to touch home and doesn’t return
 How does the defense appeal?
◦ Tag the guilty runner
◦ Tag the offended base
◦ Being “clear and unmistakable”

72.  Who can appeal?
◦ Any defensive player
◦ Not the manager or coach
 When can the defense appeal?
◦ When the ball is Live
◦ Before a subsequent play, attempted play, or illegal
pitch or balk
◦ Before all defensive players leave fair territory
 Successive appeals are allowed

73.  If there are two outs and upon appeal a
preceding runner is deemed the third out, no
runners following the preceding runner shall
score.
 If the third out is the result of a Force Play,
neither preceding nor following runners shall
score.

74.  Runners cannot leave bases once the pitcher and
catcher are “ready” until the pitch is released
◦ Pitcher on the rubber with the ball
◦ Catcher with mask behind the plate
◦ Ball is live
 Penalty: If leaving early runner is declared out
and immediate dead ball, no pitch to batter all
other runners return to base at time of pitch.
Only one runner may be called out on a play
 NOTE: 10U this is a dead ball and warning not an
out

75.  Must wait until the ball reaches the catcher to
leave base
 Umpire must judge the “value” of the hit
◦ Runners advance no further, no matter what
happens during the play
 If batter reaches on an error, nobody gets
more than one base
 Bases loaded and batted ball stays in the
infield, no runs will score
 Read the book examples!

76.  Runner cannot return to previous base when
pitcher is ready
 You need to touch all bases either forwards and
backwards
 Runners get one base if fielder catches a fly ball
then falls in dead ball territory
◦ If fielder stays on his feet, ball is Live
 Double-first base procedures
◦ Defense uses white, batter uses colored on initial play at
first (except for uncaught third strike)
◦ Batter may use either base on clean hit
◦ All other: batter must use white

78.  Preliminary position:
◦ Pivot foot: On the rubber (not off the end)
◦ Free foot: In front, behind, or to the side of the
rubber
◦ Hands: Can be together or apart
 If apart, pitcher can bring them together without
starting his motion to pitch
 Pitching motion:
◦ Free foot: Step to the back or side
◦ Pivot foot: Pivot to the side, staying in contact
◦ Hands: Brought together and lifted up
◦ Free foot: Step forward

79.  To disengage, pitcher must back with his
pivot foot first
 Pitcher may throw to a base by stepping
directly to that base with his free foot
 Pitcher cannot start his windup and then stop
◦ No runners: Nothing
◦ Runners: Balk (Bronco or above)*
* 1 warning per pitcher at Bronco level

80.  Preliminary position (Stretch):
◦ Pivot foot: On or against (in front of) the rubber
◦ Free foot: In front of and parallel to pivot foot
◦ Hands apart
 Intermediate position (going to Set):
◦ Free foot: brought closer to pivot foot (optional)
◦ Hands brought together
◦ MUST come to complete stop
 Pitching motion: Lift and step forward with
free foot

81.  To disengage, pitcher must step back with his
pivot foot first
◦ Hands must separate before reengaging
 Pitcher may throw to a base by stepping
directly to that base with his free foot
 Pitcher cannot start winding up from the Set

82.  Cannot balk or deliver illegal pitch with no
runners
 A pitcher balks or delivers an illegal pitch
when he:
◦ Starts his pitching motion, then stops
◦ Fakes a throw to first from the rubber
◦ Throws to a base without stepping towards the
base
◦ Throws to an unoccupied base (except during an
appeal)
◦ Quick pitches
◦ Pitches without facing the batter

83.  A pitcher balks or delivers illegal pitch when he:
◦ Starts his motion to pitch while not in contact with the
rubber
◦ Stands on or next to the rubber without the ball
◦ Delays the game
◦ Drops the ball while on the rubber
◦ Brings his hands together, separates them, then brings
them together again
 Balk penalty
◦ Immediate dead ball, runners advance one base
◦ If balk occurs on a throw to a base, ignore if all runners
advance; otherwise, enforce balk

84.  Prior to starting the delivery (pitch), the pitcher shall take a position with
the pivot foot on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher’s plate and
the non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher’s plate. Both
feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length
of the pitcher’s plate.
◦ Prior to pitching, the pitcher must take a position with shoulders in line with first and
third base with the ball in the glove or pitching hand, and with the hands separated.
◦ While in this position, the pitcher shall take (or simulate taking) a signal from the
catcher.
◦ After completing “b” above, the pitcher shall bring the hands together in front of the
body for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing
the ball. The hands may be motionless or moving.
◦ The pitcher shall not be considered to be in pitching position unless the catcher is
within the lines of the catcher’s box and in position to receive the pitch.
◦ The pitcher may not take the pitching position on or near the pitcher’s plate without
having possession of the ball.
 The pitcher may remove herself from the pitching position as follows:
◦ before the hands come together, the pitcher may legally step back from the pitcher’s
plate with both feet;
◦ when the hands are together and no part of the windup motion has been made, the
pitcher may legally step back from the pitcher’s plate with both feet;
◦ either foot may be removed first.

85.  The pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball or the pitcher makes any
motion that is part of the windup after the hands have been brought together
 Once the hands are brought together and are in motion, the pitcher shall not take
more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous
with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the hands come together.
The step backward may end before or after the hands come together.
NOTE: Towards is interpreted as within or partially within the 24-inch length of the
pitcher’s plate. (See Figure 6-1)
 the pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the
pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot
remains in contact with the ground and within the 24-inch length. Pushing off
with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher’s plate is illegal.
NOTES:
 It is not a step if the pitcher slides her foot in any direction on the pitcher’s plate,
provided contact is maintained.
 Techniques such as the “crow hop” and “the leap” are illegal.

86.  A legal delivery shall be a pitched ball that is
delivered to the batter with an underhand
motion.
◦ The release of the ball and the follow-through of
the hand and wrist must be forward past the
vertical line of the body.
◦ The hand shall be below the hip and the wrist not
farther from the body than the elbow.
◦ The pitch shall be delivered on the throwing arm
side of the body and not behind the back or
between the legs.
◦ The pitch is completed with a step toward the
batter.

87. The pitcher may use any windup desired provided:
 no motion to pitch is made without immediately delivering the
ball to the batter.
 the pitcher does not use a rocker action in which, after having
the ball in both hands in pitching position, she removes one
hand from the ball, takes a backward and forward swing and
returns the ball to both hands in front of the body.
 the pitcher does not use a windup in which there is a stop or
reversal of the forward motion.
 the pitcher does not make more than 1½ clockwise revolutions of
the arm in the windmill pitch. The ball does not have to be
released the first time past the hip.
 the pitcher does not continue to wind up after taking the forward
step or after the ball is released.
NOTE: Continuation of the windup is considered any action that,
after the ball is released causes the arm to continue to rotate past
the shoulder.

88.  Any infraction of the Pitching Regulations
result in an illegal pitch
 It is a delayed dead ball
 PENALTY: The ball is dead at the end of
playing action, if the ball is pitched. A ball is
called on the batter, and base runners are
awarded one base without liability to be put
out (10u and 12 u see grid on back cover)

90.  The look-back rule will be in effect when the ball is live, the
batter runner has touched first base or has been declared out,
and the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher's
circle.
◦ The runner(s) may stop once, but then must immediately return to the
base or attempt to advance to the next base.
◦ Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, she will be declared out if
she leaves the base.
PENALTY: The ball is dead. "No pitch" is declared when
applicable, and the runner is out. If two runners or more are off
their bases, when one is called out, the ball is dead and other
runners are returned to the last base touched. Only one runner
may be called out.
EXCEPTION: The runner will not be declared out if a play is made on
another runner (a fake throw is considered a play), the pitcher no longer
has possession of the ball within the 16-foot circle, or the pitcher
releases the ball on a pitch to the batter.

92.  Manager or coach may visit the same pitcher
◦ Twice in one inning, the second visit the pitcher must be
removed from the mound
 # of players that may participate see matrix
 If catcher talks to pitcher after visiting with the
manager or coach, it’s a visit
 If the adult talks to another defensive player, it’s
a visit
 It is not a visit:
◦ If the offense asked for Time first
◦ During between inning warm-ups if no delay
◦ If the manager or coach is checking on an injury
◦ In Juniors or above, if the manager replaces the pitcher

93.  Pitcher shall take signs from the catcher
 Pitcher cannot go to mouth while on the
mound
 Pitcher cannot intentionally throw at batter
 Warm- up Pitches determined by Matrix
 When bases are unoccupied, the pitcher must
pitch within 20 seconds