Rule 2
M to Z
Instructions: Read all questions and answers very carefully before picking the answer you feel is correct. There is only one correct answer for each question.
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Situation: R1 takes off for second on the pitch. The batter swings at the pitch and misses as the pitch hits him. As the umpire, you declare the ball dead, call a strike on the batter and return R1 to first base.
- Decision: False. Rule 2.00 (Strike) and 608(b), 2.00 (person).
- Decision: Depends on where it hits the batter. See relevant ruling.
- Decision: True. Rule 2.00 (Strike) and 608(b), 2.00 (person).
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Situation: The batter is standing in the batter's box and a pitched ball grazes the sleeve of his undershirt but not his arm. The defensive manager argues that since the batter was not actually hit, he should not be awarded a base. This is correct.
- Decision: False. If he or his clothing is touched while in a legal batting position, he is awarded first base. Rule 6.08(b) and 2.00 (Person, Touch).
- Decision: True. The batter's person must be touched by the ball. A touch on clothing with no body contact is not ruled contact. Rule 6.08(b) and 2.00 (Person, Touch).
- Decision: False. If he or his clothing is touched while in a legal batting position, he is awarded the count of 1 ball. It it is ball 4 then he is given first base. Rule 6.08(b) and 2.00 (Person, Touch).
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Situation: The batter smashes a hot line drive to the first baseman who gets a glove on it and knocks it down. He has trouble picking up the ball and manages to pick it up with his bare hand. He dives to tag the base, but, he tags the base with an empty glove as he holds the ball in his bare hand before the BR reaches first base. The batter is out.
- Decision: True. The BR is out. As long as the fielder has secure possession of the ball, he may tag the base with any part of the body. Rule 2.00 (Tag)
- Decision: False. The BR is safe. As long as the fielder has secure possession of the ball, he must tag the base with the hand holding the ball. Rule 2.00 (Tag)
- Decision: False. The BR is safe. A base cannot be tagged by a fielder with any other part of his body other than his foot. Rule 2.00 (Tag)
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Situation: The batter hits a ground ball to the first baseman. The pitcher comes over to take the toss from the first baseman. But contact occurs between the pitcher and BR as they converge on the first base bag, but before the first baseman releases the ball. The pitcher is guilty of obstruction.
- Decision: False. Rule 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: True. Rule 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: True. Rule 2.00 (Interference)
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Situation: R1, no outs, 1 1 count. The batter squares around to sacrifice bunt but changes his mind at the last split second. He tries to pull his bat out of the strike zone but the ball hits his forearm which is still over the plate in the zone. This is a hit batsman, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded 1st base.
- Decision: False. The ball is dead and the count goes to one ball and two strikes. A pitch that touches him in the strike zone is a strike. Rule 2.00 (Strike), 6.08(b)
- Decision: True. A pitch that touches him in the strike zone is a struck batter. Rule 2.00 (Strike), 6.08(b)
- Decision: False. The ball is dead and the count goes to two balls and one strike. A pitch that touches him in the strike zone is a ball. Rule 2.00 (Strike), 6.08(b)
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Situation: R2. The catcher fields the right fielder's throw ahead of the charging runner but has not taken full control of the ball. A violent legal collision occurs and the catcher is knocked to the ground. As he is falling he juggles the ball but is able to maintain possession without dropping it. Meanwhile, R2 touches home plate. R2 is out on the tag.
- Decision: True. A tag must be made while the fielder holds the ball. Even juggling it he is still in possession of the ball. R2 is out. Rule 2.00 (Tag)
- Decision: False. A tag must be made while the fielder holds the ball firmly and securely in the glove hand. This is not a legal tag. R2 is safe. Rule 2.00 (Tag)
- Decision: False. A tag must be made while the fielder holds the ball firmly and securely. This is not a legal tag. R2 is safe. Rule 2.00 (Tag)
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Situation: R1 is stealing second. The second baseman comes in to take the catcher's throw but slips to the ground in front of the base. The throw is in the dirt and rolls into center field. R1 leaps over the outstretched fielder, misses the base and advances to third safely. The defense appeals the missed base. R1 is out.
- Decision: False. Since the fielder was in "the act of fielding" the throw, he still cannot obstruct the runner. R1 is safe R1 is safe on appeal. Rule 2.00 (Obstruction), 7.10(b)
- Decision: True. Since the fielder was in "the act of fielding" the throw, he is not guilty of interference. Ri is out on proper appeal. RI failed to advance legally. Rule 2.00 (Obstruction), 7.10(b)
- Decision: True. Since the fielder was in "the act of fielding" the throw, he is not guilty of obstruction. Ri is out on proper appeal. RI failed to advance legally. Rule 2.00 (Obstruction), 7.10(b)
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Situation: One ball and one strike on the batter. The batter squares around to bunt as the pitch sails outside the strike zone. He reaches out to bunt the ball but the ball strikes him on the right hand gripping the bat. The ball rolls several feet in front of the plate. The pitcher can field the ball and retires the BR at first base.
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Decision: False. This is a dead ball. He was struck by a pitch while he was attempting to hit it. The count is now one ball and two strikes. Rule 2.00 (Strike), 6.08(b) - Decision: True. This is a hit ball. He was struck by a pitch while he was attempting to hit it so it is a proper hit. Rule 2.00 (Strike), 6.08(b)
- Decision: False. This is a dead ball. He was struck by a pitch while attempting to bunt. The pitcher receives a penalty of a ball for the batter. The count is now two balls and one strikes. Rule 2.00 (Strike), 6.08(b)
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Situation: R1 with nobody out and a 1 1 count on the batter. The batter squares to bunt as Ri takes off for second. The batter reaches out to bunt the outside pitch, but the ball strikes him on the left hand gripping the bat. The ball is lined back to the pitcher who throws to first for the double play. This is legal.
- Decision: True. In this case, the batter was struck by a pitch he was attempting to hit. The hit stands. The double play stands. Rule 2.00 (Strike)
- Decision: False. In this case, the batter was struck by a pitch he was attempting to hit. The ball is dead and R1 returns to first. The count is now 1 2. Rule 2.00 (Strike)
- Decision: False. In this case, the batter was struck by a pitch he was attempting to hit. Since the batter was attempting to bunt he swung and it is the same as strike. The ball stays live. Rule 2.00 (Strike)
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Situation: R1 with one out. Batter hits a ground ball to first baseman who steps on first base. He then throws to the shortstop who tags second base (not the runner), ball arriving before the runner. The BR is out but R1 is safe.
- Decision: False. Batter is out and R2 is out. When the first baseman retired the batter, the force is not removed until the play has finished. Rule 7.08(e)
- Decision: False. R2 is out since the first baseman stepped on first before throwing to second. BR is out since first base was tagged. Rule 7.08(e)
- Decision: True. Batter is out but R2 is safe. When the first baseman retired the batter, it removes the force and the runner must be tagged. Rule 7.08(e)
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Situation: R2 going from second to third base falls over the short stop who is standing in the base line not fielding a batted ball. Third baseman receives the ball from the outfield and comes over and tags R2 with the ball. Defense is guilty of obstruction and R2 is ruled safe and returned to second base.
- Decision: False. This is interference, R2 is ruled out since he prevented the shortstop from making a play. Rule 7.06(b), 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: False. This is interference, R2 is awarded third base. Rule 7.06(b), 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: False. This is obstruction, R2 is awarded third base. Rule 7.06(b), 2.00 (Obstruction)
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Situation: R2, batter hits ground ball fielded by second baseman. The shortstop deliberately moves into the path of R2 as he advances toward third causing him to go around. Second baseman throws ball to third where R2 is tagged for the out.
- Decision: False. R2 is entitled to go back to 2nd since shortstop obstructed on the play. Rule 7.06(b), 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: False. R2 is entitled to third since shortstop obstructed on the play. Rule 7.06(b), 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: True. Rule 7.06(b), 2.00 (Obstruction)
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Situation: R3 is trapped between home and third base. In the rundown R3 collides with the player who does not have the ball. The ball is dead and R3 gets home. R1 who had advanced to and is now standing on third remains at third base.
- Decision: True. R3 is entitled to at least one base when the obstruction occurs. All other runners advance or return based on the umpires judgment the base they would have obtained. R1 had obtained 3rd so he stays there. Rule 7.06(a), 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: True. R3 is entitled to at least one base when the obstruction occurs. All other runners return based on the umpires judgment minus one base they would have obtained. R1 had obtained 3rd so he go to 2nd. Rule 7.06(a), 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: False. R3 is entitled to at return to 3rd. All other runners advance or return based on the umpires judgment they would have obtained. R1 had obtained 3rd so he stays there. Rule 7.06(a), 2.00 (Obstruction)
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Situation: A batter with a count of two strikes is hit with a pitch which is called a third strike. The batter is out and the ball is dead.
- Decision: True. Rule 6.08(b), 2.00 (Strike), 5.09(a)
- Decision: False. Rule 6.08(b), 2.00 (Strike), 5.09(a)
- Decision: True. As long as the batter was hit on the hands. Rule 6.08(b), 2.00 (Strike), 5.09(a)
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Situation: As the batter is falling away from a close pitch, the ball hits his bat and goes into foul territory. This is a strike and the ball is dead.
- Decision: True. Rule 2.00 (Strike)
- Decision: False. Rule 2.00 (Strike)
- Decision: False. It is a foul ball. Rule 2.00 (Strike)
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Situation: Runner going from third base to home. Catcher receives the ball, lunges at the runner tagging him with the back of his gloved hand which contains the ball, before the runner touches home plate. The runner must be tagged with the ball, not the glove.
- Decision: True. Runner is out. A runner needs to be tagged with the naked ball. Rule 2.00
- Decision: True. Runner is safe. A runner cannot be tagged with the back of the hand or glove. Rule 2.00
- Decision: False. Runner is out. A runner need not be tagged with the naked ball. Rule 2.00
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Situation: R2 and R3. The pitcher is in the act of delivering when the umpire calls "time". Pitcher continues with the pitch and batter hits a single, scoring two runs. Since the batter hit the ball, the umpire should let the play stand.
- Decision: False. Single does count and runners are returned to bases they occupied at the time of the pitch. Calling "time" stops the play only after the play finishes. Rule 2.00 (Time)
- Decision: True. Single does count and runners are returned to bases they occupied at the time of the pitch. Calling "time" stops the play. Rule 2.00 (Time)
- Decision: False. Single does not count and runners are returned to bases they occupied at the time of the pitch. Calling "time" stops the play. Rule 2.00 (Time)
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Situation: R3. Batter hits long fly to the outfielder on the warning track. R3 tags up and attempts to score following a catch. The catcher stands directly on the baseline between third and home so that R3 must go around him in order to reach home base. This is illegal.
- Decision: False. Unless the catcher has the ball, this is obstruction and the run scores. Rule 7.06(a) and 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: True. Unless the catcher has the ball, this is interference and the run scores. Rule 7.06(a) and 2.00 (Interference)
- Decision: True. Unless the catcher has the ball, this is obstruction and the run scores. Rule 7.06(a) and 2.00 (Obstruction)
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Situation: R3 is trapped between home and third base. In the rundown, R3 collides with the defensive player who does not have the ball. This is obstruction and R3 is awarded home.
- Decision: True. This is interference provided the defensive player has not received the ball. R3 is entitled to home, the base to which he originally started. Rule 7.06 and 2.00 (interference)
- Decision: True. This is obstruction provided the defensive player has not received the ball. R3 is entitled to home, the base to which he originally started. Rule 7.06 and 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: False. This is obstruction provided the defensive player has not received the ball. R3 is entitled to home, the base to which he originally started. Rule 7.06 and 2.00 (Obstruction)
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Situation: R1 with two out. The batter hits a double. As R1 rounds third base, the third baseman stands in his path causing him to run around him. The BR, in attempting to stretch his double into a triple is thrown out at third just before R1 has crossed home plate. R3's run should count.
- Decision: True. R1 is permitted to score because of the obstruction at third base. Rule 7.06(a) and 2.00 (Obstruction)
- Decision: True. R1 is permitted to score because of the interference at third base. Rule 7.06(a) and 2.00 (Interference)
- Decision: False. R1 is not permitted to score because of the interference at third base. Rule 7.06(a) and 2.00 (Obstruction)
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Situation: A pitched ball is considered a thrown ball.
- Decision: True. Rule 2.00 (Pitch), 2.00 (Throw)
- Decision: False. Rule 2.00 (Pitch), 2.00 (Throw)
- Decision: True only above AAA. Rule 2.00 (Pitch), 2.00 (Throw)
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Situation: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs from the catcher but may not step quickly back onto the rubber and pitch.
- Decision: False. Rule 8.01, 2.00 (Quick Return Pitch)
- Decision: True. But a pitch is allowed if the pitcher waits for a 2 second count. Rule 8.01, 2.00 (Quick Return Pitch)
- Decision: True. Rule 8.01, 2.00 (Quick Return Pitch)