Rules of the game

Last Updated 11-Feb-2025

2024 Official MLB Rules
2025 Rules Matrix
2025 Official USA Softball Rules

Baseball  

Major League Baseball Rules will apply with the following exceptions and/or clarifications detailed in these House rules.

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Softball

USA Softball Junior Olympics (JO) FastPitch Rules will apply with the following exceptions and/or clarifications detailed in these House rules.

KNOW THE RULES

Knowing the rules is one thing. Applying them in the game in the moment is a different thing. Maintaining composure when someone is arguing the call...well, let's just say it is tough.

Over the years, there are some very common rules & game situations that cause angst between coaches & umpires. Here are a few to to understand well, whether you are a coach, umpire or fan.

1. Running Lane Violation 

When the batter-runner is advancing to first base, he/she is required to run in foul territory. In the event the runner physically or visually interferes with the throw, catch or the defense, over or in fair territory, the runner will be called out for interference. All other runners must return to the last base held.

For Baseball, the Running Lane is extended into fair territory equal to the width of 1st Base.

For Softball, the batter-runner must be in the running lane and the lines are considered "in the running lane.”

2. Passing First Base

A batter-runner that runs past first base may turn in either direction to return to first base without liability to be put out. They give up that right if they make an attempt (“intent”) to advance to second base. If they do make an attempt, they may be tagged out prior to touching first base again. Determining intent is the sole judgment of the umpire.

3. Look Back Rule (Softball) 

In softball, when the pitcher controls the ball within the circle with both feet, all runners off base must choose to advance or retreat “immediately”. If a runner is occupying a base, she may not leave the base. This rule is not in effect until the batter-runner reaches first base. After rounding a base, a runner is allowed one “stop” before choosing to advance or retreat. Hesitating or stopping a second time after choosing a direction is a violation unless the pitcher fakes or makes a throw which releases all runners. After a fake throw all runners must once again immediately choose a direction.

4. Runner Interference

Base runners must avoid fielders attempting to field a batted ball even if it was touched by the pitcher. The right of the fielder to a batted ball supercedes a runner’s right to the base path. Interference is the act of an offensive player that impedes, hinders or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. The interference can be anything from a distraction by running too near the fielder to actual contact. There does not have to be contact to constitute interference. Running in front of the fielder may be a distraction and can be an interference violation.

A baserunner that is hit by a batted ball is not out if the ball has just passed an infielder, or was touched by an infielder and deflected. We're talking about a ball that goes through the legs or off the glove of an infielder and then hits the base runner.

In Baseball, only one fielder may have an opportunity to make a play.

In Softball, there can be two fielders with the right to field the ball as long as the second fielder is behind the runner.

If runner interference is called, the ball is dead, the runner is out, the batter-runner is awarded first base and all other runners must return to the last base held at the time of the pitch unless forced to advance.

5. Batter's Interference with Cather's Throw

Batters inadvertently interfere with catcher's attempted throws, most often to third base, when they back up and out of the batters box and into the catcher’s “throwing lane.” Intentional or not, the batter may be guilty of an interference violation and can be called out if the umpire determined batter interference has occurred. Keep in mind, a throw need not occur.

When a base runner is stealing and the catcher comes up quickly with a throw to attempt to retire the runner, the batter cannot in any way impede the catcher's effort – either intentionally or unintentionally. There is a common misconception that if a batter remains in the batter's box he cannot be called out for interference. This is not true. The batter's box is not a safe haven.

Sometimes a bad throw is just a bad throw. But if the catcher's throw gets disrupted in any way, regardless of intent, it may be considered interference. Generally, if the batter remains still in the batter's box and makes no movement, then he is protected from interference. This may also happen as a result of being off balance after a swing.

The batter's interference play that causes the most arguments is not on a straight-up steal. Instead, it's when the catcher mishandles a pitch (or is handling a wild pitch) with runners on base. The ball is on the ground while the runners are in motion and the catcher is diving or grabbing for the ball. At the same time, the batter is dancing out of the way while trying to avoid interfering and in doing so he instead interferes. That's interference.

If the umpire feels that the batter interfered with the throw by the catcher, the batter is out, the ball is dead and all runners must return to the base they held at the time of the pitch.

6. Batter's Interference with Play at the Plate

When a runner attempts to steal home, the batter has to make an effort to get out of the way of the play at the plate. More commonly, interference with a play at the plate happens when there is a runner on third base and then there's a passed ball or wild pitch and the runner tries to score. You have the catcher scrambling for the ball, the pitcher running in to cover the plate, and you have the runner running toward home.

It is a common misnomer that the batter is entitled to the batter’s box. This is only partially true when the catcher attempts a pick-off throw at 3rd base. Otherwise, the batter must vacate the area to avoid a collision or from impeding the catcher or pitcher from making a play at home. This includes blocking the catcher from retrieving the ball. If the batter hinders the play whether intentionally or not, we have Batter’s Interference.

In Baseball, with less than two outs, the runner is out. With two outs, the batter is out. In either scenario, no run scores.

In Softball, the batter is always out. All runners must return to the last base touched at the time of interference; no run may score.

7. Obstruction

No fielder may block the base path without possession of the ball. Catchers are most often at fault by waiting for a throw in the runner’s path. Runners have the first right to the path they have chosen when the fielder does not yet possess the ball. Fielders must give base runners access to the plate or any base until such time as they have the ball in their hands and only then do they have a right to be in the runner’s chosen path.

PHBA follows the Baseball rule with respect to errant throws for both Baseball and Softball. An errant (off line) throw that brings the fielder into the path of the runner is not an obstruction violation on the fielder even when they ultimately make the catch and tag the runner. 

A fielder without possession of the ball is in the way (“obstruction”) of a runner attempting to round the base or run through home plate. Not allowing the base runner to round to the inside corner of the bag when no play is being made at that base or run through home plate at full speed is an obstruction violation on the fielder. In the case of home plate, the runner is forced to slow down or even to slide. The umpire should signal the obstruction by raising the left arm horizontal to the ground.

When signaled by the umpire, the runner cannot be put out between the two bases where they were obstructed. They will be awarded the next base only if, in the umpire’s judgment, they would reasonably have made that base. Otherwise the runner must stay at the last base acquired. If the runner continues on and is then put out, and in the opinion of the umpire they would not have been put out had obstruction not occurred at first base, then they may be awarded second, third or home.

8. Slide or avoid

MLB, USA Softball and PHBA have rules to protect players from unnecessary collisions. Slide or avoid is such an option. The problem is in understanding when to apply it. Sliding is always an option -- never a requirement! 

The only time a runner would need to avoid a fielder by sliding or giving themselves up, is when they are obviously going to be out because the fielder has the ball and is waiting for them. In such a case, the runner may choose to slide or otherwise avoid contact with the fielder. 

In a situation where the fielder is waiting for a throw and is standing in or is subsequently drawn into the runner’s path by a thrown ball and contact occurs with a runner, it is the fielder that may be at fault by entering the lane of a runner who is legally advancing.

A fielder receiving a throw at the last second does not make the runner guilty of failing to slide or avoid. It is not the responsibility of any runner to anticipate wayward throws that may create a possible last second possession of the ball and a possible collision. Unless the fielder possesses the ball in adequate time for the runner to recognize that they will be out there is no requirement for the runner to slow or otherwise avoid continuing their legal advance. When contact occurs in this situation it is most likely incidental contact. 

Malicious contact is not allowed and every attempt to avoid hard contact is required of both players. Incidental contact may occur without necessarily penalizing either player.

9. Ball thrown into dead ball area base awards

When a throw goes into dead ball territory, the bases awarded are determined from the time of the throw, not when the ball goes into dead ball territory. The umpire must judge what base the runner had reached at the time of the throw. All awards are two bases regardless where the throw was from or who threw it. Batter runners going to first are awarded first and second. 

Example: with a runner on first base at the time of the pitch, a throw going into dead ball territory results in the base runner being awarded third base. With an ongoing play, if a runner reached second prior to the release of a throw that wound up in dead ball territory, that runner would be awarded home.

In the case of a pick-off play in baseball, the following conditions can occur. The pitcher becomes a fielder when he steps off the pitching plate prior to making the pick-off attempt. If the throw goes out of play, the runners are awarded two bases as described above. If the pitcher legally attempts a pick-off without stepping off the pitching plate first and the ball goes out of play, the runners are awarded 1 base.

10. Infield fly

With runners on first and second base or bases loaded with less than two outs, an infield fly is in effect with a routine pop-up in the infield that can be caught with ordinary effort as opposed to a pop-up that a fielder might catch with extra effort. Ordinary effort is judged by the umpire and modified for the level of play in each division where the infield fly rule is active. 

When an Infield Fly is announced, the batter is out but the ball remains live, and in all other respects it is simply a fly ball.

11. Runner Interference after Being Declared OUT

There is a misconception that there is no violation when a batter-runner is called out on a 3rd strike, but then runs towards 1st base as if the Dropped 3rd Strike rule is effect. Usually, other baserunners will advance on such a play. However, this may be considered Runner Interference on the batter-runner.

When, after being declared out (or after scoring,) an offensive player interferes with a defensive player’s opportunity to make a play on another runner. A runner continuing to run and drawing a throw may be considered a form of interference. This includes a batter-runner who is not entitled to run on the Dropped 3rd Strike.

In the event of Runner Interference in this case, the ball is dead, the batter-runner is out AND the runner closest to home is out. All other runners must return to the last base touched at the time of interference.

The Dropped 3rd Strike rule is in effect whenever 1st base is unoccupied previous to the pitch or with 2 outs.

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