BCBUA Rules Curriculum
Philosophy:
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Judges, fair and impartial
Must keep our wits while all others are losing theirs
We are not the center of attention, the players are
Umpires are reporters
1. Timing of calls
2. Replay calls in your mind’s eye then make the call
What is a Strike
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Swing and a miss
Ball passes through the strike zone and batter does not offer at it
Fouled with less than 2 strikes
Bunted foul (even with 2 strikes)
Touches batter in strike zone
Touches batter as he swings at pitch
Foul tip
Strike Zone
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Use the plate as a guide, at least 1 ball width off the corners
Use under the elbows (catchers head)
Use the catchers knees as a guide
Foul Tip (bat)
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Still looks like a pitch
Sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hand or glove 1st, then caught by the catcher
Ball is “live”, runners may advance
Catch
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only defensive players
Must have control of their body
Voluntary release
The act of trying to throw the ball is voluntary release
forget the myths
Fair – Foul Balls
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In the infield, a ball is fair or foul the moment it stops moving or is touched
If a ball leaves the infield on the ground, it is judged fair or foul by its position when it leaves the
infield
A ball hit directly to the outfield is fair or foul the moment it touches anything
Force Play
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Runner must go to next base because Batter has become a runner and must go to 1st
Runner must go to next base because Batter has become a runner and must go to 1st
Can touch the base with any part of the body
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Can also “tag” the runner with the ball in hand or glove
No runs if 3rd out is a force
Tag Play
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Must touch runner with the ball
Can be in hand or glove
when runner is off the base
Infield Fly
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Runners at 1st, 2nd or 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Less than two out
Must be easily caught by an infielder
Can be caught by an outfielder
Overthrows
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Pitcher (must be on rubber) - 1 base
Infielder 1st play - 2 bases from TOP base
1. exception when BR and all other runners are at least one base beyond TOP base when 1st play
happens
Outfielder - 2 bases from time of throw (when the ball is released) not when the ball goes out of play
Base Awards
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If a ball becomes lodged in the umpire’s or catchers equipment
If a ball becomes lodged in the umpire’s or catchers equipment
1. 1 base if a pitched ball
2. 2 bases if thrown
3. Exceptions: 1st play by infielder, 2nd play by infielder
Batter hit by pitch
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Batter goes to first
All other runners return unless forced
No abuse no excuses
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Coaches are responsible for the actions of fans and players
profanity, touching, threats or personal comments are grounds for immediate ejections
You must write an ejection report
Don’t take the situation too seriously
Do phone your UIC for help
Touching bases in order (1-2-3-home)
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missed bases (appeals)
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Can be a force out, runs????
runners passing other runners
1. runner who passes is out immediately
2. play continues unless 3rd out
Runner leaves too early or fails to retouch after a fly ball caught
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Not a running start
Cannot retouch if touches the next base and the ball becomes dead
Appeal must be obvious
is a time play, not a force
Runs may score ahead of the appealed runner
Interference
Four types:
1. Offensive
• runner being hit by a fair batted ball
• batter interference
• runner breaking up a double play
2. Defensive
• catcher’s interference
3. Umpire
• being hit by fair batted ball
• getting in way of catcher’s throw
4. Spectator
• Spectator Land vs. Player Land
1. Offensive (Runners)
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Runner hit by fair batted ball before infielder has a chance to play it
Signal interference
call time
runner is out
all other runners return unless forced due to B-R going to first
If interference was to break up double play, call B-R out too
Double play ball, R1 intentionally tries to break up the double play at second
Double play ball, R1 intentionally tries to break up the double play at second
Time is called immediately
R1 is out and call B-R out for actions of R1
Offensive (Batter)
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Signal interference
wait and see what happens
if runner is thrown out then ignore the interference
otherwise call batter out and return all runners to TOP base
2. Defensive (Catcher’s) Interference
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Signal the interference
Let the play continue
If all runners including the Batter-Runner reach 1 base safely beyond TOP base, ignore the
interference
If not, place BR at 1st and all other runners return unless forced or they were stealing on the
play
Offense has the option on this play
3. Umpire Interference
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Umpire is hit by fair batted ball before infielder has a chance to play the ball
Call Time, signal interference, place B-R at 1st and return all other runners to TOP base unless
forced
Plate umpire interferes with catchers throw
Signal interference, wait to see what happens, if runner is out ignore, if not call time and
return all runners to TOP base
4. Spectator Interference
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Two areas: Player land, Spectator land
If player goes into Spectator land, then they are on their own
If a spectator goes into Player Land and interferes with a play then we have Spectator
interference
Signal Spectator Interference
Call time
Position runners where you think they would have gone if no interference occurred
The defense gets in the way of the offense, usually when they are running
Obstruction
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On all types of obstruction, signal obstruction right away
Play being made on runner
Call time right away
Position runners where you think they would have gotten to
No play being made on runner
Time delayed
Protect runner to base where you think they should have gotten if no obstruction
Runner is on their own if they try to go beyond this base
Balks
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Can use Full Windup or Set Position
(must come to a stop if uses set position)
3 things a pitcher CAN do while on the rubber
1. Pitch (step directly towards the plate)
2. Step directly towards and throw to a base (occupied or to make a play)
1. fake towards 2nd and 3rd, but must throw to 1st
3. Step off the rubber (directly back, not off to a side)
Balk called, one bases to all runners, no call to batter
• Baseball Canada interpretation
Balks and pitches, batter can hit ball
• All runners including Batter Runner must advance 1 base to nullify balk
• No option
• Not a ball
Batting out of Order
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Say nothing (including the score keeper)
Appeal by defensive team
Timing is important
Before turn at bat is complete
• Put correct batter in box
After improper batter but prior to next pitch
• Proper batter is out
• Return all runners
• Any outs on the play stand
• Next batter is one after batter that is called out
After pitch to next batter
• Improper batter is legal
Slide or Avoid
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Safety rule
Runner must slide or avoid a collision
They do not have to slide and avoid the collision
Collision may still happen
At all bases including home
Slide must be directly to base, not outside of the base
Cannot go beyond the base to “take out the player” on the back end of a double play
If intent to injure, ejection
Designated Hitter
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Hits for the pitcher only
Is lost when:
1. DH enters the game defensively
2. Pitcher bats for the DH
3. Pitcher goes to another defensive position (see BC Minor Rule: If a pitcher is removed
from a game and goes to the bench he is a fresh sub for the purposes of the BC Minor
rule. As such he may subsequently enter the game other than as a pitcher without any
effect on the DH position)
4. Defensive player comes in to pitch