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Top 40 Baseball Rule Myths (OBR)
All of the following statements are FALSE.

1. The hands are considered part of the bat.
2. The batter-runner must turn to his right after over-running first base.
3. If the batter breaks his wrists when swinging, it's a strike.
4. If a batted ball hits the plate first it's a foul ball.
5. The batter cannot be called out for interference if he is in the batter's box.
6. The ball is dead on a foul-tip.
7. The batter may not switch batter's boxes after two strikes.
8. The batter who batted out of order is the person declared out.
9. The batter may not overrun first base when he gets a base-on-balls.
10. The batter is out if he starts for the dugout before going to first after a dropped third strike.
11. If the batter does not pull the bat out of the strike zone while in the bunting position, it's an automatic strike.
12. The batter is out if a bunted ball hits the ground and bounces back up and hits the bat while the batter is holding the bat.
13. The batter is out if his foot touches the plate.
14. The batter-runner is always out if he runs outside the running lane after a bunted ball.
15. A runner is out if he slaps hands or high-fives other players, after a homerun is hit over the fence.
16. Tie goes to the runner.
17. The runner gets the base he's going to, plus one on a ball thrown out-of-play.
18. Anytime a coach touches a runner, the runner is out.
19. Runners may never run the bases in reverse order.
20. The runner must always slide when the play is close.
21. The runner is always safe when hit by a batted ball while touching a base.
22. A runner may not steal on a foul-tip.
23. It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.
24. An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out.
25. A runner is out if he runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball.
26. Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called.
27. No run can score when a runner is called out for the third out for not tagging up.
28. A pitch that bounces to the plate cannot be hit.
29. The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch after it bounces.
30. If a fielder holds a fly ball for 2 seconds it's a catch.
31. You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal.
32. The ball is always immediately dead on a balk.
33. If a player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.
34. The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made.
35. With no runners on base, it is a ball if the pitcher starts his windup and then stops.
36. The pitcher must come to a set position before a pick-off throw.
37. The pitcher must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw.
38. If a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence it is a homerun.
39. The ball is dead anytime an umpire is hit by the ball.
40. The home plate umpire can overrule the other umps at anytime.
 
 
Baseball FAQ'S (OBR)
For people who are new to Baseball, here are the basic rules.

The Batter
How do you determine a fair ball from a foul ball? - Rule 2.00
What is a foul tip and how should it be treated? - Rule 2.00
What defines a Check Swing? - Rule 2.00 Strike
When should a batter be called out of order? - Rule 6.07
What happens when a batter-runner overruns first base on a walk or hit?
What happens if a pitch is dropped by the catcher on the third strike?
When is a batter allowed to switch boxes?
What happens if a batter throws the bat during or after a swing?
What happens if a batter hits a pitch without swinging?

The Pitcher
What happens if a pitch hits the ground before crossing the plate?
How do you treat trips to the mound by the manager?
When is a pitcher allowed to take signs from the rubber?
Are pitchers allowed to wear a batting glove under their glove?
Do the innings per week of 12 yr old pitching have to total 12 for all pitchers added together?
What is a balk and what are the rules regarding legal pitching motions?
More on balks and pitching - simplified

The Runner
Can teammates or coaches touch a base runner after a home run?
What is a force play and how does the third out affect scoring?
Is a runner out if he is hit by a batted ball?
What is considered a legal tag of the base by a fielder?
Can runners advance on an infield fly?
When must a runner slide to take a base?
More on sliding and collisions
At what time can the catcher block the plate?
What is considered interferece?

General
What is an appeal and what is the proper procedure for making an appeal?
When can an umpire be called for interference?
Must the first baseman always have his feet in fair territory?
How to you protest and what is protestable?
What are the differences between regular season rules and the tournament rules?
When does the game officially end?
When do you signal if a fielder misses a tag or a runner misses the base?
What are the official dimensions and size of the bat?
What are the official dimensions and size of the playing field?
 
 
 
 
Baseball for beginners
 

MANAGERS AND COACHES 
We are currently looking for quality managers and coaches who are interested in developing young kids into great baseball players. If you are looking for an opportunity to be a manager or coach, contact our:
Director of Managers and Coaches
Michael Gengler 562-673-3308
 
Our league places an emphasis on balanced teams, which allow for competitive games. We are looking for coaches to teach sportsmanship and teamwork, as well as the fundamentals of baseball.
Click on these links
for a fun look at
Baseball
Awesome Pitch
Bunt Home Run
Clueless Announcer
Ball Girl Catch
Busted Umpire
This Hurt
Catch This
Strange Ball
 
 
 
 
 
History of the Strike Zone

1996
The Strike Zone is expanded on the lower end, moving from the top of the knees to the bottom of the knees.
1988
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 top of the knees. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.
1969
The Strike Zone is that space over home plate which is between the batter's armpits and the top of his knees when he assumes a natural stance. The umpire shall determine the Strike Zone according to the batter's usual stance when he swings at a pitch.
1963
The Strike Zone is that space over home plate which is between the top of the batter's shoulders and his knees when he assumes his natural stance. The umpire shall determine the Strike Zone according to the batter's usual stance when he swings at a pitch.
1957
A strike is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire which:
(a) is struck at by the batter and is missed;
(b) enters the Strike Zone in flight and is not struck at;
(c) is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes at it;
(d) is bunted foul;
(e) touches the batter as he strikes at it;
(f) touches the batter in flight in the Strike Zone; or
(g) becomes a foul tip. Note:
(f) was added to the former rule and definition.
1950
The Strike Zone is that space over home plate which is between the batter's armpits and the top of his knees when he assumes his natural stance.
1910
With the bases unoccupied, any ball delivered by the pitcher while either foot is not in contact with the pitcher's plate shall be called a ball by the umpire.
1907
A fairly delivered ball is a ball pitched or thrown to the bat by the pitcher while standing in his position and facing the batsman that passes over any portion of the home base, before touching the ground, not lower than the batsman's knee, nor higher than his shoulder. For every such fairly delivered ball, the umpire shall call one strike.
An unfairly delivered ball is a ball delivered to the bat by the pitcher while standing in his position and facing the batsman that does not pass over any portion of the home base between the batsman's shoulder and knees, or that touches the ground before passing home base, unless struck at by the batsman. For every unfairly delivered ball the umpire shall call one ball.
1901
A foul hit ball not caught on the fly is a strike unless two strikes have already been called. Adopted by National League in 1901 and the American League in 1903.
1899
A foul tip by the batter, caught by the catcher while standing within the lines of his position is a strike.
1894
A strike is called when the batter makes a foul hit, other than a foul tip, while attempting a bunt hit that falls or rolls upon foul ground between home base and first or third bases.
1887
The batter can no longer call for a 'high' or 'low' pitch.
A (strike) is defined as a pitch that 'passes over home plate not lower than the batsman's knee, nor higher than his shoulders.
1876
The batsman, on taking his position, must call for a 'high,' 'low,' or 'fair' pitch, and the umpire shall notify the pitcher to deliver the ball as required; such a call cannot be changed after the first pitch is delivered.
High - pitches over the plate between the batter's waist and shoulders
Low - pitches over the plate between the batter's waist and at least one foot from the ground.
Fair - pitches over the plate between the batter's shoulders and at least one foot from the ground.