Interpretations

April 10, 2012

Jim Paronto, NCAA Rules Editor

1. Rule 1-14d—referencing the sleeves with the thin white stripes running length wise—

“Any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be of the same solid color other than White. . .” and 9-2h, “A shall not wear jewelry or clothing items that a batter or umpire considers distracting (e.g., chains, white logos . . .” this undershirt is illegal when worn by a pitcher.

2. Rule 6-5f—How many offensive conferences may a team have in any one ? Three offensive conferences per game plus one for an extra inning contest. Other than the cumulative total of offensive conferences, there is no limit as to the number of conferences a team may use in any particular inning.

3. Rule 9-4b, A.R. 2, “In the case of an injury to the current pitcher, the substitute pitcher shall take all warm- up throws from the game mound.” It is legal for the or trainer to remain on the mound with the substitute pitcher until that pitcher has two pitches left to be prepared.” The plate umpire will periodically check with the substitute pitcher as to how much time is needed for him to be ready.

4. Rule 5-2c: “Have all personnel except the base coaches, batter, runner(s) and ‘on-deck’ batter in the , or dead-ball area.” And 5-2e: “. . . The on-deck batter is prohibited from being within a triangle created by an extension of the first and third base foul lines. The on-deck batter must be in the vicinity of the dugout.” The question was, may a team have more than one player outside their dugout swinging bats or may a team allow a player to swing bats in the dugout?

5. Must a head coach be present at the plate conference? What happens if a head coach refuses to attend the pre-game plate meeting?

Rule 3-1, “A head coach is responsible for his team’s actions on and off the field and to represent the team in communications with the umpire and the opposing team.” Rule 4-4:”The head coach, during the first game of a weekend or any nonconference game, must attend the pre-game plate conference.” All participants, including the head coach, are expected to comply with an umpire’s decision. For failure to comply with the umpire’s request to attend the pre-game plate meeting, the head coach is ejected for that contest.

6. When a batter crosses the path of a catcher on ball four, it is not batter unless it is intentional.

“When a batter, who is on his way to first base crosses the path of a catcher, after ball four has been called, it is interference only if the batter’s actions are judged to be intentional.” Regardless to which base on which the catcher is making a play and/or regardless if the base runner that is ahead of the batter-runner is forced or not forced to advance. The new BR is entitled to the awarded first base. He gets the right to to first. Any interference at all must be intentional and deliberate by the BR. 7. Rule 6-2g, “penalties assessed from the base last (“legally “ omitted ) touched at the time of interference,” MLB 2.00(a),—“If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner or a runner for interference, all other runners hall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference.” MLB—7.08, “If in a between third base and plate, the succeeding runner has advanced and is standing on third base when the runner in a run-down is called out for offensive interference, the umpire shall send the runner standing on third base back to second base. No runner shall advance on an interference play and a runner is considered to occupy a base until he legally has reached the next succeeding base.” 8. Rule 2-25. 3-6d, A.R. 2, “A previous pitcher leaves the bench and engages in an unsportsmanlike act.” Four games for a post-participation infraction. Even in the case of fighting, where the first offense is a three game suspension, the “post-participation” penalty outweighs the fighting penalty.

9. Rule 5-5b (2): When does a substitute become a player? Particularly, in the case of a substitute pitcher, when he is reported to the home plate umpire as the and is written into the line-up card. Can this substitution be cancelled and the previous pitcher returned to the mound? No, once he has been reported and written into the lineup, the substitute pitcher is in the game. The previous pitcher cannot return, in any capacity.

10. Rule 5-15a (2)—R2. As the pitcher begins his delivery to the plate, R2 loudly yells, “That’s a !” The pitcher delivers the , uninterrupted, for a ball. a. The pitch is allowed. b. the pitch. c. If the pitcher after the verbal interference, nullify the balk. d. Eject the offender immediately. The rule indicates “trying to make the pitcher balk,” so even if he doesn’t balk, the offender can be ejected. e. Scenario #2, the pitcher hears “that’s a balk!” and lobs the ball toward the plate thinking the umpire behind him has called a balk. Stop playing action before the ball gets , eject the offender and reset the situation.

11. Rule 5-17, if it is coming from the dugout. Allow the pitch to count, and then warn the dugout. If it continues, eject the offender. Treat repeats as “bench jockeying” and apply the bench jockeying penalties.

12. "Team personnel may not come onto the field to argue or dispute a warning issued under Rules 9- 2g and 5-16d. If a coach or player leaves their position in the dugout or on the field to dispute a warning, he should be warned to stop. If he continues, he is subject to . To pitch or throw at a batter is un sportsmanlike and violates the NCAA position on safety for all participants. Umpires will act without hesitation in the enforcement of these rules." MLB Rule: 8:02 (d) Comment