Tacoma Baseball: Baseball Rules Article

Tacoma Baseball

Feature Story : for Feb 25, 2007,

"Baseball Rules"
Have you ever watched a professional game, a college game and a high school game and seen rules called differently. It may not be the umpire's mistake. While 90% of baseball rules are the same there are different rule books and interpretations for High School, NCAA and professional baseball. The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) publishes rules for high school sports, NCAA does college and MLB does professional. There is an excellent web site that explains the high school rules and where and how the differ from college and professional. the site is http://www.eteamz.com/baseball/rules/fed/. 2007 High School Rules Interpretations, Changes

The High School rules have a couple of changes this year and next. If a team falls below nine players it can return to nine later in the game,

In another change, Rule 6-2-1 now states that a ball will be called each time a pitcher brings his pitching hand in contact with his mouth, either without distinctly wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball or while in contact with the pitcher's plate.

Rule 3-2-1 was revised to state that one player or coach may occupy each coach's box while his team is at bat. A coach or player occupying the coach's box shall remain in the box from the time the batter enters the batter's box until the release of the ball by the pitcher. If the coach or player steps out of the box during this time, regardless of who violates the rule, the head coach will be restricted to the bench/dugout.

"A player or coach standing outside the box gains an unfair advantage as to where the opposing pitcher intends to pitch the ball," Hopkins said. "The box-bound player or coach does not have the same angle or disadvantage. This rule seeks to correct these unfair advantages and prevent distractions the pitcher may experience during his delivery."

The National Federation of State High School Associations’ Baseball Rules Committee has approved the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) performance standard for all non-wood bats, effective January 1, 2003. Maximum of 2 5/8 inches for the diameter of the bat barrel and a minus-3 differential between the length and weight of the bat (a 33-inch-long bat, for example, cannot weigh less than 30 ounces), the BESR mark ensures a maximum exit speed of 97 miles per hour and that the bat has met the moment-of-inertia requirement. Certified Bats List

Also, there are numerous rules that the average baseball fan doesn't understand, i.e. some people think the hands are part of the bat. Here is a web site addresses 40 Baseball Rules Myths.

Other Baseball Rules Web sites
Baseball Rules Page - Overview of the rules from little league to professional.
NFHS National Federation of High School Associations - High school rule changes and point of emphasis for 2005.
Major League Baseball Rules - MLB Rules Web Site.
Interactive Rules Quiz - Test your knowledge.
MLB and LL Rule differences
Little League Baseball Rules
50 LL Rules Questions

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