Table of Contents
ContentsIntroduction: How to Use This Book
1. Basic Rules of Baseball
Baseball Basics Baseball: Basic Rules An Example of a Half-Inning
2. Teams and Leagues
Teams and Leagues: Basics The Regular Season The All-Star Game Postseason Championships Minor League vs. Major League Rules
3. Before the Game Starts
Thirty Minutes Before Preparing the Baseballs Forfeits Five Minutes Before Starting the Game
4. Equipment
The Ball The Bat Gloves and Mitts The Uniforms Helmets Shoes
5. Field Specifications
The Field The Batter’s Box The Pitcher’s Mound The Bases Major League Fields
6. Pitching
Pitching Positions The Pitching Sequence The Balk The Strike Zone Strikes and Balls Wild Pitches and Throws by the Pitcher Miscellaneous Pitching Rules Ball Tampering Pitcher Substitutions (Relief Pitchers) Visits to the Pitcher’s Mound Ambidextrous Pitchers
7. Batting
Basics for the Batter Strikes and the Strike Zone Illegal Bats Calling “Time” The Batter’s Box Getting on Base Hit by a Pitch The Batting Order Offensive Interference by the Batter Defensive Interference Against the Batter Making an Out The Designated Hitter
8. Running
Basics for the Runner Twelve Ways a Runner Can Be Put Out Force Plays Base-Running Mistakes Tagging Up Scoring with Two Outs Running Outside the Baseline Touched by a Batted Ball
9. Fielding
Basics for the Fielder Awarded Bases Due to a Fielder If a Fielder Enters the Stands or Dugout The Infield Fly Rule Fielder’s Choice Outs Automatic Outs: Credits for Fielders
10. Interference, Obstruction, and Collisions
Interference and Obstruction Who Has Right-of-Way Interference by a Runner, and Others Interference on a Double Play Obstructing a Runner Collisions at Home Plate
11. Umpires
Basics for Umpires Instructions to the Umpires The Umpire-in-Chief and the Field Umpires Tools of the Trade Suspended and Called (Terminated) Games Forfeits Appeals and Protested Games Calling Balls and Strikes The Umpire and the Pitcher Judgment Calls by an Umpire If an Umpire Gets in the Way Umpire’s Call of Obstruction Ejections and Removals
12. The Manager and Coaches
Basics for Managers and Coaches Manager’s and Coaches’ Job Descriptions Before the Game Requesting a Time Out, and Substitutes Attempting to Reenter the Game The Manager and the Pitcher Protested Games
13. Misbehavior
Steroids and Other Drugs Misbehavior and Interference Misbehaving in the Dugout and Sidelines If the Pitcher Misbehaves If a Batter Misbehaves If a Runner Misbehaves If a Fielder Misbehaves Misbehavior by Managers and Coaches Ejections
14. Spectators
Basics for Spectators Spectator Interference Team Members and Spectators Spectators on the Field
15. Suspended and Terminated Games
Weather: Who’s in Charge? Regulation Games Suspended and Terminated Games Suspended Games: Causes and Next Steps Rain Checks Darkness Field Conditions Weather—Batting and Pitching
16. The Official Scorer
Basics for the Scorer The Official Scorer’s Report Starting Players, Substitutions, and Improper Batters Box Scores Called (Terminated) Games Forfeits Wild Pitches and Passed Balls Bases on Balls (Walks) Strikeouts Earned Runs Shutouts The Winning and Losing Pitchers Saves for Relief Pitchers The Winning Pitcher in the All-Star Game Base Hits Runs Batted In (RBI) Sacrifices Stolen Bases Putouts and Assists Fielding Errors Consecutive Streaks Reporting the Scoring Results Individual Championships The Official Statistician Statistics
Glossary Index
