2. Terminology

Altered bat– a bat is considered altered if the structure of the physical bat has been changed, or if an illegal bat or non-approved bat has been presented as a legal bat. Examples are: painting a bat, changing the handle, inserting material inside the bat or compressing the bat. Effect/Ruling- the ball is dead, the batter is out, and base runners may not advance. The batter is ejected for using an altered bat.

Appeal play– a play in which an umpire cannot make a decision until a request is made by a manager, coach, or player. The appeal must be made before the next legal or illegal pitch, or before all infielders have left the field.

Approved bat- a bat becomes “approved” when a bat manufacturer submits the bat to an official association (like ASA, NSA, etc…) after it has been through a special testing facility and met the requirements of that association’s “legal bat” rule.

Ball- refers to a ball that doesn’t enter the strike zone while in flight to the catcher and is not struck by the batter, or a ball that doesn’t meet pitching regulations.

Ball rotation- a pitcher will have a choice of balls at the start of each half inning, with an exception occurring if both balls do not get into play in the first half inning. The pitcher, in the bottom of the first inning, must pitch the unused ball. Thereafter, every third out, the ball in play must be returned to the pitcher’s plate; and before the first warm up pitch, the pitcher has the opportunity to choose a ball. The pitcher must stick to this ball unless the ball goes out of play.

Base- refers to the four objects that a runner must touch in order to legally score a run. The term makes reference to the bags marking designated spots.

Base on balls- when a batter is awarded first base without liability to be put out because umpire judges four pitches to be considered “balls”. In slow pitch, the pitcher can put a batter intentionally on first base by simply telling the umpire that they want to intentionally walk a batter.

Base path- a direct, imaginary line that is between bases and that extends in width of three feet on both sides, which a runner must stay in or will be called out by the umpire.

Base runner- is a player that has finished his at bat and has reached first base without being put out.

Batted ball- is a pitch that has been hit, intentionally or not, and is in foul or fair territory.

Batter- refers to the offensive player that enters the batter’s box with a 0-0 count who can draw a walk with either 3 or 4 balls and can strike out with 2 or 3 strikes depending on rules adopted by league.

Batter’s box- the area in which the batter is limited to while batting. The player must have both feet entirely within the lines of the box prior to the pitch (the lines are considered to be within the box).

Batter runner- is the batter, who has finished his at bat, and has not yet been put out at first base.

Batting order- is the official lineup of offensive players, listing the order in which team members must come to bat. An official lineup card must include each player’s name, jersey number, and defensive position. The extra player must also be indicated too.

Bench or Dugout- is the facility where the team gathers when not actively engaged in play.

Blocked ball- a live, batted or thrown ball that is touched, stopped or handled by someone not officially involved with the game; or a ball which touches any object that is not official equipment or playing area.
Effect/Ruling- the ball is dead. If it is against the offensive team, the player being played on will be called out. If there is no fault, no out will be called and the runners will have to go back to the bag they were on when the dead ball was called.

Bunt- is a legally tapped ball that is not swung at, but the batter holds the bat in a way to lightly tap the ball in the infield. Effect/Ruling- the ball is dead, batter is out, and base runners must return to the bag they were on before the bunt.

Called Game- is a term that umpires use to end the game indefinitely.

Catch- is a legally caught ball that occurs when a fielder secures a batted or thrown ball with his/her hand or glove. If the ball is merely held in the fielder’s arms or part of body, the catch is not complete until the ball is in the grasp of the fielder’s hand or glove. In establishing a valid catch, the fielder shall have complete control of the ball, and his/her release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. If a player drops the ball while in the act of throwing, it is still a valid catch. NOTE: An intentional dropped ball is a ball that has first been validly caught and is then purposefully dropped in order to confuse runners or to obtain additional outs.

Catcher’s box- a box designated for the catcher’s body/equipment to remain in until the ball is batted or the ball reaches the catcher’s box (the lines are considered a part of the box.)

Charged conference– a charged conference takes place when:

• Defensive Conference – the defensive team requests a suspension of play for any reason, and a representative, not in the field, enters the playing field and delivers a message, by any means, to the pitcher. It is not a conference when the representative enters the field and removes the pitcher or when the defensive team confers while the offense is in conference.
• Offensive Conference – the offensive team requests a suspension of play to allow the manager or other team representative, on or off the field, to confer with the batter or base runner. It is not a charged conference when an offensive pitcher is putting on a warm-up jacket on base or if the offensive team confers while the defensive team is in conference.

Chopped ball– is when a ball is hit by a batter in a chopping motion. Effect/Ruling- the ball is dead and the batter is out.

Coach- is a member of the team at bat who takes his place in the coach’s box to direct his/her players in running the bases. Two coaches are allowed on the field during a team’s at-bat, one positioned at first base and one positioned at third base. One coach can have in his possession a scorebook and an indicator, which shall be used for scorekeeping purposes only. The defensive coaches/manager must remain in the dugout when their team is playing defense. Failure to obey this rule, after a warning is issued, will result in the coach/manager being ejected from the game.

Dead ball- is when the ball is not in play and not considered in play again, until the pitcher has the ball in his possession and the umpire has called “play ball”. A dead ball line is considered in play.
Defensive team- is the team out in the field of play trying to keep the other team from scoring.

Double play- is a when the defensive team gets two offensive players out within the same continuous play.

Fair ball- A fair ball is a batted ball that:

1. Settles on fair territory anywhere between home plate and 1st base or home plate and 3rd base.
2. Is on or over fair territory, including any part of 1st and 3rd bases, when bounding toward the outfield, or touches 1st, 2nd or 3rd base.
3. First falls in fair territory beyond 1st or 3rd base.
4. While in or over fair territory, touches the person of any umpire or player.
5. While over fair territory, passes out of the playing field beyond the outfield fence.
6. Hits an outfield fence on or between the foul poles.

NOTE: A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and foul line and not as to the position of the fielder at the time he/she touches the ball. It does not matter whether the ball first touches fair or foul territory, as long as it does not touch anything foreign to the natural ground in foul territory and complies with all other aspects of a fair ball. Home plate is in fair territory.

Fair territory – is that part of the playing field within and including first and third base foul lines from home plate to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upward.

Fake Tag- is a form of obstruction that impedes a runner from advancing. Effect/Ruling: a player can be ejected for using a fake tag infraction.

Fielder- is any player on the defensive team in the field of play.

Flagrant Player Obstruction– is a defensive fielder that uses excessive force to impede the batter/runner or runner. Effect/Ruling: Immediate ejection of the defensive player.

Fly Ball- is any ball batted into the air.

Force Out- is an out which can be made only when a base runner loses the right to the base he is occupying because the batter becomes a batter-base runner before the succeeding base runner has been put out. If a batted ball is caught prior to the ball touching the ground, there cannot be a force out(s), and the runner must be tagged by the ball to be considered out.

Foul Ball- is a batted ball that:

1. Settles on foul territory between home plate and 1st base or home plate and 3rd base.
2. Bounds past 1st and 3rd base on or over foul territory.
3. Falls first on foul territory beyond 1st or 3rd base.
4. While on or over foul ground, touches an umpire, player or foreign object to the natural ground.

NOTE: A foul fly ball shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, and not the position of the fielder.

Foul Tip- is a batted ball that goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batter’s head, to the catcher’s hands or glove, and is legally caught by the catcher. A foul tip is a strike, and the batter is out if it is the third strike.  Also, a foul tip is a dead ball. NOTE: Any foul tip is a strike.

Helmet- is a form of protective headwear that must be approved by the National Operating Committee of Standard Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

Home Team- the home team is typically designated by whose home field the game is being played.  If the site is neutral, it will be determined by league officials, mutual agreement, or a flip of the coin.

Illegal Bat- is a bat that does not meet the requirements of the association that is governing the rule of play.  

Illegally Batted Ball- an illegally batted ball occurs when:

1. A batter’s entire foot is completely out of the batter’s box on the ground when he hits a foul or fair ball.
2. Any part of the batter’s foot is touching home plate when he makes contact with the ball.
3. The batter hits the ball with an illegal, altered, or non-approved bat.

Illegally Caught Ball- is when a fielder catches a thrown or batted ball with anything that is detached from the player’s body (i.e. glove, cap, mask, or part of uniform).

Illegal Player- is a player who enters the line-up without the right to the offensive or defensive position. Coach may be charged with an illegal player when there is an illegal use of the re-entry rule or not reporting a substitute. Also, if a coach uses a player to pitch who was removed from the pitching position. Effect/Ruling- an illegal player violation results in the ejection of the illegal player.

Ineligible Player– is a player that is not legally part of the team because he does not meet the requirements for age and/or residence to register. Other examples are: playing under a false name, players not on the official roster, having a player on two official rosters without a release form on file with association, an ejected player in the official line up.  Effect/Ruling- the use of an ineligible player will result in the forfeit of the game if protested properly.

In Flight- a ball that has been batted, thrown, or pitched that has not touched the ground or any other object other than a fielder.

In Jeopardy-  is a term indicating that the ball is in play and an offensive player may be put out.i

Infield Fly- is a fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort while runners are occupying first and second, or first, second and third base with less than two outs. The fly ball can be caught by any fielder. NOTE: When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “INFIELD FLY – BATTER IS OUT” to aid the runners. If the ball is near the foul lines, the umpire shall declare “INFIELD FLY – BATTER IS OUT, IF FAIR”. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after a fielder touches the ball. If the hit ball becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any other foul ball.

Inning- is that portion of a game within which the teams alternate between offense/defense and there are three outs for each team. A new inning begins after each team has had an opportunity to bat and play the field once and the third out of the bottom of an inning is recorded.

Interference- is when an offensive player or team member confuses or impedes a defensive player attempting to make a play. Effect/Ruling- base runner interfering with play is called out.

Legal Touch- is when a runner or batter-runner is off of a base and is tagged with the ball securely in the defensive player’s hand or glove which contains ball.

Legally Caught Ball- a ball caught by a fielder, whether it is thrown or batted, with hands or a glove. It can’t be caught by mask, cap, protector, pocket, or any part of the uniform.

Line Drive- is a ball that batted sharply and directly into the playing field.

Non-approved Bat- is a bat that is not listed on the approved list of bats for the association, or a bat that has been removed from the associations’ Approved Bat List.

Obstruction- is when a defensive team member hinders or impedes a batter’s attempt to make contact with a pitched ball or one who impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner legally running the bases. It is not considered obstruction if a fielder is in possession of the ball or is fielding a batted ball, executing a play or catching a thrown ball. The act may be intentional or unintentional, physical or verbal. NOTE: Catcher obstruction is called when the catcher obstructs the batter who is attempting to hit or swing at a pitch. Prior to the pitch, the violation of catcher obstruction does not apply, a dead ball shall be called and the batter is allowed to reset.

Offensive Team- is the team at bat who is able to score runs.

Outfield- is the portion of the field outside of the diamond made by the baselines. It is the area covered by outfielders that is within the baselines beyond the first and third base area extending to the bottom of the fence and perpendicularly upward.

Out- refers to one of the three requirements of the defensive team to end the half inning.

Overslide- the act of an over slide happens when a batter-runner or base runner has too much momentum and slides past the base losing contact with the base. Thus, the runner puts himself in jeopardy. The batter-base runner may over slide first base without being in jeopardy if he returns the base immediately.

Overthrow- is a play in which a throw is being made by one fielder to another to put out a base runner, and the throw goes into foul territory or beyond the lines of the playing field.

Pivoted Foot- is the foot that the pitcher must keep in constant contact with the rubber until the ball is released.

Play Ball- is a term used by the umpire to incite play to begin or to be resumed when pitcher is within 8 feet of the pitcher’s plate. All players must be in fair territory and catcher in the catcher’s box for play to officially begin.

Quick Pitch- is an attempt by the pitcher to catch the batter off balance from the previous pitch or pitch when the batter is not in the desired position in the batter’s box.

Runner- the term means “batter-runner” or “base runner.”

Sacrifice Fly– is scored when a fly ball is caught by a defensive player but, on the catch, the runner(s) on base is able to advance home at their own risk. If the defense is unable to throw the runner(s) out, then it is considered a sacrifice fly.

Slide- is when a runner leaves his feet to a prostrate position to avoid a tag.

1. Legal: head first or feet first.  If feet first, at least one leg a buttock shall be on the ground.  If the runner slides, he must be at least a hand or foot away from the base after the completion of the slide.
2. Illegal: if the runner tries to injure the fielder by manipulating the mechanics of the slide.

Starting Pitcher- the pitcher listed on the line-up card as a pitcher at the start of the game.

Stealing- the act of a runner trying to advance to the next bag during the pitch or after the pitch has reached the plate.

Strike Zone- is that space over any part of the plate between the batter’s arm pits and the top of the knee when the batter assumes a natural batting stance. Where the ball contacts the ground or glove has no bearing on the actual strike zone.

Tag- the action of a fielder touching the base with any part of his body while holding the ball securely with his hand or glove.  It can also refer to touching a runner directly with the ball while it is held firmly with the hand or glove.

Time- is the term used by the umpire to suspend play.

Triple play- refers to a play that is continuously made by the defense in which three offensive players are put out without any errors within the play.

Turn at Bat- this starts for a batter the moment the batter enters the box until he gets put out or becomes a base runner.