Baseball Rules (OBR) Quiz

B1 is up to bat, 1-2 count, no outs, no runners on base. As the pitcher starts his windup, B1 steps out of the box. The pitch is delivered and crosses near the outside part of home plate. What is the umpire's call?

• Strike. Penalty due to batter stepping out of the box.

• Ball or Strike, based on the umpire's judgement.

• Ball. Pitch did not directly cross home plate.

• No pitch. Batter awarded "time" since the ball had not left the pitcher's hand.

Answer explanation

OBR Rule 5.04(b)(2): The batter shall not leave his position in the batter's box after the pitcher comes set, or starts hs windup. PENALTY: If the pitcher pitches, the umpire shall call "Ball" or "Strike," as the case may be.

R1 on 1st base, R3 on 3rd base, 1-1 count on B1, one out. On the ensuing pitch the umpire calls strike. Upset with the call, B1 steps out of the batter's box refusing to retake his position in the box in a reasonable amount of time and the umpire calls another strike on the batter. In this confusion R3 steals home and R1 advances to 2nd base. What is the ruling?

• B1 is called out on strikes, R3 scores. Two outs, R1 on 2nd base.

• R3 scores, R1 stays on 2nd base, 2-2 count on B1 since no pitch was delivered

• B1 called out on strikes. R3 out for interference. Side retired.

• B1 called out on strikes. R3 returns to 3rd base. R1 returns to 1st base. 2 outs.

Answer explanation

OBR Rule 5.04(b)(3): If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter's box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter my take his proper position and the regular ball and stike count shall continue. If the batter does not take his proper position before three strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out.

R1 on 1st base, no outs. R1 steals on the pitch, B1 hits a hard ground ball to F5 who fields the ball and throws to F4 at 2nd base. R1 is safe before the throw arrives wildly. The ball gets lodged in F4's uniform prior to batter achieving 1st base. Where are the runners placed?

• R1 - 2nd base, B1 - 1st base

• R1 - 3rd base, B1 - 1st base

• R1 - 3rd base, B1 - 2nd base

• Umpire discretion

Answer explanation

OBR Rule 8.01(c): Each umpire has the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in the rules.

R2 on 2nd base, one out. B1 hits a ground ball to F6, R2 attempts to advance to 3rd base, but gets caught in a rundown. During the rundown, B1 makes it safely to second base. R2 and F5 make contact while the throw is in flight. F5 was not attempting to catch the thrown ball. The thrown ball goes out of play. What is the ruling?

• R2 awarded 3rd base. B1 stays on 2nd base. One Out

• R2 scores. B1 stays on 2nd base. One out.

• R2 & B1 both score. One out.

• R2 out. B1 stays on 2nd base. Two outs.

Answer explanation

OBR Rule 6.01(h)(1): On a play where a runner is trapped between 2nd and 3rd and obstructed by F5 going into 3rd while the ball is in flight, if such throw goes out of play, each runner is awarded 2 bases.

14U Ripken Tournament Game: Home Team has 9 players, plus 1 player traveling to the field and arriving approximately 20 minutes after the game start time. Five minutes prior to the game, one of the players isinjured and cannot play. What option(s) does the coach have?

• Start the game with 8 players in the lineup and list the late player as a substitute.

• Requests to the Ripken director to delay the game until his player can arrive.

• Requests to the Ripken director to be the visiting team and place the late arriving player to the bottom of the lineup.

• Place the late arriving player in the starting lineup for a total of 9 batters to start the game.

• A or D

Answer explanation

Ripken Tournament Rules: The player be placed in the starting lineup, but an out is called each time the missing player is due up. OR the player is listed as a substitute.