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This code of rules governs the playing of baseball games by professional teams of Major League Baseball and the leagues that are members of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.

We recognize that many amateur and non-professional organizations play their games under professional rules and we are happy to make our rules available as widely as possible. It is well to remember that specifications as to fields, equipment, etc., may be modified to meet the needs of each group.

Money fines, long-term suspensions and similar penalties imposed by this code are not practicable for amateur groups, but officers and umpires of such organizations should insist on strict observance of all the rules governing the playing of the game.

Baseball not only has maintained its position as the National Game of the United States, but also has become an International Game being played in more than 100 countries. The popularity of the game will grow only so long as its players, managers, coaches, umpires and administrative officers respect the discipline of its code of rules.

Playing Rules Committee: Sandy Alderson, Chair Brian Gorman John Schuerholz Bob Beban John McHale, Jr. Jimmie Lee Solomon Rod Carew Terry Ryan Bill Stoneman Amateur baseball advisory member: Mike Gaski © 2011 by the Commissioner of Baseball. All rights reserved. No part of the Official Baseball Rules may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.

The Major League Baseball silhouetted batted logo is a registered trademark of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.

Rule 2.00: The Strike Zone 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 hollow beneath the kneecap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.

Rule 3.01: Pre Game Before the game begins the umpire shall:

Require strict observance of all rules governing implements of play and equipment of players; Be sure that all playing lines are marked with lime, chalk or other white material easily distinguishable from the ground or grass; Receive from the home club a supply of regulation baseballs, the number and make to be certified to the home club by the Office of the Commissioner. Each ball shall be enclosed in a sealed package bearing the signature of the Commissioner of Baseball, and the seal shall not be broken until just prior to game time when the umpire shall open each package to inspect the ball and remove its gloss. The umpire shall be the sole judge of the fitness of the balls to be used in the game; Be assured by the home club that at least one dozen regulation reserve balls are immediately available for use if required; Have in his possession at least two alternate balls and shall require replenishment of such supply of alternate balls as needed throughout the game. Such alternate balls shall be put in play when: A ball has been batted out of the playing field or into the spectator area; A ball has become discolored or unfit for further use; The pitcher requests such alternate ball. Ensure that an official rosin bag is placed on the ground behind the pitcher's plate prior to the start of each game. Rules 3.03 & 3.06: Player Substitutions 3.06 The manager shall immediately notify the umpire-in-chief of any substitution and shall state to the umpire-in-chief the substitute's place in the batting order.

3.03 ... When two or more substitute players of the defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, immediately before they take their positions as fielders, designate to the umpire-in-chief such players' positions in the team's batting order and the umpire-in-chief shall so notify the official scorer. If this information is not immediately given to the umpire-in-chief, he shall have authority to designate the substitutes' places in the batting order.

Rule 8.02: Throwing at the Batter Rule 8.02 states as follows:

The pitcher shall not intentionally pitch at the batter.

If, in the umpire's judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect either to:

Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or may warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager. If, in the umpire's judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially "warned" prior to the game or at any time during the game.

Rule 8.02(d) Comment: ... To pitch at a batter's head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be - and is - condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule. As the Rule itself implies, the first question is whether a pitch was intentionally thrown at a batter. Rule 8.02(d) does not apply in the absence of such intent. Whether the pitch was intentional or not is up to the umpire's judgement. In exercising their judgement, umpires have been instructed to be mindful that, given the skill level of most Major League pitchers, a pitch that is thrown at the head of a hitter more likely than not was thrown there intentionally. Umpires have been instructed to bear this presumption in mind in deciding whether a pitch was intentional.

Once Rule 8.02(d) is found to be applicable (because an umpire has determined in his judgement that a pitch was intentionally thrown at a batter) an umpire has two options: expel or warn the appropriate persons (the pitcher or the manager and the pitcher).

Rule 8.02(d) does not give the umpire the discretion to allow the opposing pitcher an opportunity to retaliate in kind before the warning or ejection. Nor does the Rule mandate, even in an instance where a pitcher has intentionally thrown at the head of a hitter, that the pitcher must be ejected.

Which of the two options is elected by the umpire under Rule 8.02(d) is at the discretion of the umpire, but the elected option will be based on all the surrounding circumstances. In assessing those circumstances, the umpire will take into account the note to Rule 8.02(d), which states that pitching at a batter's head is unsportsmanlike, highly dangerous and condemned within the sport.

The automatic fine for intentionally throwing at a batter is a minimum of $200. Each incident will be reviewed and further disciplinary action imposed on a case-by-case basis.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Playing Rules Committee, at its December 1977 meeting, voted to incorporate the Notes/Case Book/Comments section directly into the Official Baseball Rules at the appropriate places. Basically, the Case Book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the same effect as rules when applied to particular sections for which they are intended.

This arrangement is designed to give quicker access to any written language pertaining to an Official Rule and does not require a reader to refer to different sections of the Official Baseball Rules book in considering the application of a particular rule.

Case Book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language and is labeled as Comment.
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