Beginning with the major rules differences in the nfhs rulebook which was originally one short page, i initially expanded this umpiring aid some time ago by adding rule excerpts to the. There are several major rules, which differ only slightly. A little more than a year before new collision plate blocking rules were put into place, the violent collision between harrison and one of the great defensive catchers in mlb history provided an. Also, the batterrunner would have to have reached first base or been ruled out for the lookback rule to be in effect. Cal ripken baseball, babe ruth baseball, babe ruth softball rule 0. Mlb is clarifying blockingtheplate rule by making it. This can be found in mlb s official baseball rules obr 2015 edition rule 6. Mlb umpires still struggling to interpret home plate collision rule. A brief history of the famous home plate collisions that. Nfhs rules official baseball rules rule reference reference rule defense in fair territory at time of pitch with. On february 24, 2014, major league baseball and the mlbpa jointly announced an experimental rulerule 7. Because all runners including the batterrunner did not advance, the balk is enforced.
The official baseball rules govern all professional play in the united states and canada, including the world baseball classic. This umpire manual is the definitive resource for professional and amateur umpires alike. I have updated to current numbers and sections in contrasting color. Answers to frequently asked questions baseball rules. Umpires ignorance of home plate collision rule is major problem for mlb. According to their official rule book, obstruction is when a defensive player affects or prevents a batter from swinging at a pitched ball or hinders the progress of a runner. Major league baseball and its players have banned most home plate. Catchers still adjusting to baseballs plateblocking rule. The mlb rulebook, bill james, and the buster poseyscott cousins. For 2015 the obr book was completely revised and reorganized. Courtesy runner for pitcher or catcher 2331 no rule not permitted tobacco all chewing. Ok, so the controversial plateblocking rule has made its presence.
Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world. The 2014 revision to the official baseball rules, in renumbering the rules, has disposed of the timehonored type a and type b obstruction. Umpire judgment comes into play on about to receive jim. Very basically, the catcher may block the plate if he has the ball or is about to receive the ball. Mlb reportedly sent a clarification email to all 30 teams with photos. Religious headgear that is consistent with baseball canada safety and. It was the judgment of home plate ump mark carlson that sanchez was blocking the plate before he received the. If f5 has control of the ball in the circle, the lookback rule. Want to know the nascar rule on how much of the car must be in the pit stall for a pit stop. A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher when one or more runners are on base. Rules changes approved in high school baseball, softball. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues.
It is the official umpire manual and rulebook for minor league baseball umpire development formerly pbuc. Rules reference nfhs 2014 baseball rules changes, rationale, comments 6 art. Listed below are a collection of common misbeliefs about little league baseball rules. A new plate blocking rule has catchers around the league scratching their heads. That is why it is imperative that umpires should work hard in understanding the nfhs rules book. R2 is awarded third and the batter returns to the plate with the count 22. Heres the rulebook definition, found in definitions obstruction. A simple solution for baseballs home plate collision. None of those happened in the past two seasons since major league baseball instituted a new rule to prevent collisions. If anyone else, on either offense or defense, asks for help, the umpire may but is not required to ask for help. In no event shall bases be run because of such interference see rule 6. Back in march, mlb announced a set of new rules to be rolled out across 2019 and 2020.
All portions of this particular page and the pages of the official major league rules book are sole property of major league baseball and have been reproduced without any alteration by baseball almanac who first obtained the written. No, the catcher is not allowed to block home plate without possession of the ball. If you can find an obr rules book look st the definition of obstrution. Softball panel recommends obstruction rule change the new softball proposal would ban defenders from blocking the plate or base before they have possession of the ball, effective for the 2018. The amateur softball association of american sets the universal rules for softball in the united states. Catchers still adjusting to baseball s plate blocking rule. Minor league baseball umpire manual rulebook rulebooks. If this is how mlbs new homeplate rule will be applied.
During the broadcast on fox sports 1, a rules official did clarify that if the pitcher was blocking the plate, part 2 of rule 7. Elliot hopkins, mld, caa, editor nfhs publications to maintain the sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the national federation of state high school associations writes playing rules for varsity competition among. Official rules of baseball canadian content cc4 rule 6. Mlb emails teams to clarify homeplate collisions rule. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information.
Obstruction and interference little league umpiring. Rule 2214 will state that followthrough interference is when the ball hits the catcher after the batter has swung at a pitch and hinders action at home plate or the catchers attempt to play on a runner, and rule 2215 will state that backswing interference is when a batter contacts the catcher or his equipment prior to the time. It will be interesting to see where this rule goes, there has already been a lot of grey area exposed, and some of it has been clarified. Its it true that the runner should have unimpeded access to the plate and the catcher can only block the plate but not the line.
Still, boone hates the rule that bans blocking the plate because it has. The modern method of blocking the plate is, quite simply, illegal. Obstruction and interference are rule violations that occur in the field of play, typically involving base runners. Going into the third season under major league baseball s no blocking the plate rule, many catchers are still struggling to adjust. Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former major league baseball.
The majority of intentional collisions occur at home plate where the catcher is blocking the plate anticipating a. Clicking on each link will explain the correct ruling. The rule is in place to prevent a pitcher from deceiving the baserunners. This 159page milb manual contains the official rule interpretations and clarifications used throughout minor league baseball.
In the official rules of baseball illustrated, david nemec relates the history of the rules, explores how the rules have changed and why, and relates some of the most memorable episodes in baseball in which the rules have played a central role. Provided f1 has control of the ball within the circle, the lookback rule is in effect. The complete rules are published as the official baseball rules at mlb. Controversial home plate blocking rule comes into play in cubs. For this, it doesnt matter whether the ball is coming from the infield or somewhere else. Stump the ump catcher blocking the plate in little. In what both sides said was a oneyear experiment, the rule allows collisions if the catcher has the ball and is blocking the runners direct path to home plate, or if the catcher goes into the. If this is how mlb s new home plate rule will be applied, we hate it update you. Heres the official mlb rule on a catcher blocking home plate. 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. The change was made partially in response to a may 2011 collision at home plate that saw star catcher buster posey suffer a seasonending ankle injury. Case book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language and is labeled as comment. The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runners lowering of the shoulder, or the runners pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of rule 7.
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