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2.00 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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About Baseball 
