Changes In The OBR 2008

New rules (3): Introduction 2.00 (ordinary effort); 3.01 (f); 7.05 (j) Changed / modified rules (21) 1.15 a, c; 2.00 (Ligapräsident); 3.01 c; 3.02; 4.10 d; 4.11 c, d; 4.12; 4.19; 6.02 c, d; 6.05 a, h, k; 6.06 d; 6.08 c; 6.09 b; 7.04 c; 7.08 a; 8.01 a, b; 8.02 a, b; 8.04; 8.05 h; erased rules (2): 4.03 d; 7.09 b, c, k

Importance of the changes for games under SBSF rules and therefore for the umpires. Introduction 10  very important 8  important 9  less important It’s a challenge for everyone of us - especially for the well experienced umpires!

Changes with great importance 6.02 d:Speed up the game at home plate (penalty strike) In 05/06 the minor league tested this rule on a provisional base and in 2007 it was introduced as an OBR. The rule doesn‘t apply for MLB. SBSF: in effect since 2008 To be enforced in every league and every game. There will be discussions about ist sense.

The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter‘s box throughout the batter‘s time at bat. Exceptions: The batter swings at a pitch The batter is forced out of the batter‘s box by a pitch The umpire calls „Time“ A defensive player attemps a play on a runner at any base The batter feints a bunt Changes with great importance 6.02 d:Speed up the game at home plate (penalty strike)

A wild pitch or passed ball occurs Exceptions (continued): The pitcher leafs the dirt area after receiving the ball The catcher leafs the catcher‘s box to give defensiv signals In all these exceptions the batter may leave the batter‘s box but not the dirt area around home plate. Important: the lines are part of the batter‘s box (6.03) Changes with great importance The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter‘s box throughout the batter‘s time at bat.

When „time“ is called for the purpose of The batter may leave the batter‘s box and the dirt area around home plate.... Making a substitution A conference by either team Changes with great importance

„Time“ (Dead Ball) It this rule is violated and there is a delay of the game: (automatic) „Strike“ No pitch is allowed / necessairy Important: restrict quick pitches After a penalty strike: give the batter a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position in the batter‘s box, before the umpire calls a successiv strike persuant to rule 6.02 d (1) Umpires shall encourage the on-deck batter to take a position in the batter‘s box quickly after the previous batter is safe or put out. Changes with great importance

The point is: from what point on is it a delay of the game? Comment Plenty enough exceptions If it isn‘t one of the exceptions: „Time“, then „Strike“ Players are recommended to principally keep one foot in the batter‘s box Players are recommended to take their position in the batter‘s box instantly/quickly After a penalty strike a batter quickly has to take his position in the batter‘s box Not allowed to argue about a penalty strike Pitchers may provoke penalty strikes with resuming their position faster than usual Changes with great importance

6.02 cThe batter refuses to take his position in the batter‘s box Old ruling: Umpire shall order the pitcher to pitch tha ball (live ball) Each such pitch shall be called a strike New ruling: „Time“ and „automatic strike“ No pitch allowed / necessairy Changes with great importance

After a penalty strike: give the batter a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position in the batter‘s box, before the umpire calls a successiv strike. Umpires shall encourage the on-deck batter to take a position in the batter‘s box quickly after the previous batter is safe or put out. Verbal: „Batter up!“ or Through hand signals Changes with great importance

1.15 a, cPitcher‘s glove New: Pitcher‘s may use multicolored gloves Not allowed: white or grey (exclusive of piping) Not allowed: attach foreign material of different color Umpire‘s judgement wheter color is distracting in any manner Umpire shall remove an „illegal“ glove on his own initiativ or upon complaint of the opposing manager. In case of violation: replace the glove Changes with great importance

6.09 bBatter thinks, he‘s out on dropped 3rd strike Old ruling BR was out as soon as he reached the dugout Before that, he could still try to reach 1st base Problem 1: catcher had to chase the batter runner Problem 2: old ruling was opposing to „abandonning the base“ New ruling BR as soon as he leaves the dirt area around home plate Condition: BR shows no effort to reach 1st base Ball stays alive and in play (as it was before) Changes with great importance

7.08 aDefinition: base line Old ruling Direct line between bases Straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach Important: only when the runner tries to avoid a tag play Runner may run 3 feet away (armlength) Problem: not practical New ruling Changes with great importance

7.08 aDefinition: base line Changes with great importance

7.08 aDefinition: base line Changes with great importance

6.05 a, 7.04 cNo legal catch in the dugout / out of play territory Old ruling Catches in the dugout were legal Changes with great importance

Definition Playable area: fair territory and foul territory not playable area: dead ball or out of play territory Changes with great importance 6.05 a, 7.04 cNo legal catch in the dugout / out of play territory

New ruling Lean over / reach over dead ball territory is allowed If at least one foot is on or over the playing field Step on dead ball territory is not allowed Catching a ball in dead ball territory is not a legal catch Dugouts are not on the playing field anymore Changes with great importance 6.05 a, 7.04 cNo legal catch in the dugout / out of play territory

4.11 c„Time-play“-situations at the end of a game Clarification Home run to end a game Batter-runner is thrown out With less than 2 outs Only the winning run counts With 2 outs All runs scored before the 3rd out count exception: force outs Changes with great importance

3.02, 8.02 aintentionally discolor or damage a ball The pitcher may not (unchanged ruling) 1.Pitching hand in contact with mouth while on mound  „ball“ 2.Expectorate on ball, hand or glove 3.Rub ball on glove, person or clothing 4.Apply foreign substance on the ball 5.Deface the ball 6.Deliver a ball altered in such a manner New: umpire‘s judgement for 2 and 3 (!) Intention to deface the ball! Changes with great importance

No intention to deface the ball One warning per game possible Consistent violation: apply the ruling Intenional violation Apply ruling Changes with great importance 3.02, 8.02 aintentionally discolor or damage a ball

Approved ruling (modified) Remove the pitcher from the game No play after such a pitch: No runners: „ball“ Defensive coach has the option to accept a possible play. With runners on base: „ball“ und „balk“ Changes with great importance 3.02, 8.02 aintentionally discolor or damage a ball

Option Play Either a runner or the batter-runner doesn‘t reach the next base safely. Option 1: Situation is accepted by the coach (pitcher still will be ejected) Option 2: apply ruling If the batter-runner reaches 1st base safely and every other runner can advance one base, the option play os nullified. Changes with great importance 3.02, 8.02 aintentionally discolor or damage a ball

No runners rule 8.04: 12 seconds rule (used to be 20 seconds) 8.04, 8.05 hpitcher delays the game Start: pitcher in possetion of the ball and the batter in the batter‘s box facing the pitcher End: pitch is delivered Penalty: ball Changes with great importance

With runners on base Throwing to a fielder without the intention to make an out - while the batter is ready to hit (8.02 c, 8.05 h) Warning If done repeatedly: balk and ejection Any other intentional delay of a pitcher (8.5 h) balk Changes with great importance 8.04, 8.05 hpitcher delays the game

Important changes Pivot foot must touch pitcher‘s plate No further restrictions 8.01 a, 8.05 bpivot foot Free foot Set-Position: between pitcher‘s plate and home plate Wind-up: free positioning Wind-up: step to the side of pitcher‘s plate is allowed

Quick pitch with runners on base  balk Pitcher may deliver the ball without coming to a complete stop Watch out for quick pitches! 8.01 bno runners Important changes

7.05 jintentionally touching a pitched ball with equipment Use or attempted use of such a bat Batter steps into the batter‘s box with tempered bat 6.06 dmanipulate a bat Base award for batter-runner and runner: + 1 Base Time of touch Live ball Ruling closes gap (batted, thrown and pitched ball) Important changes

3.01 f, 8.02 arosin bag New: home team‘s duty 3.01 crubbing baseballs prior to the game Not the umpire‘s duty anymore Umpire only checks if it‘s there Important changes

A protest must be made before the next pitch, play or attempted play 4.19time of a protest Same conditions as in an appeal play Important changes

Batter-runner may leave three foot lane with 6.05 kthree foot lane A step or side step slide if He is attempting to touch 1st base, and Therefor reaches 1st base Important changes

Less important changes If a regulation game is called with a tied score d, 4.11 d, 4.12Tied Games / Suspended Games old: tie game = no game (has to be played again) new: suspended game (has to be continued)

Changes not important for umpires 2.00League president 2.00Ordinary effort (new) 4.03 dOld layout of catcher‘s lines Ordinary effort of a fielder Only important for the official scorer Rule removed Less important changes

Relation to 7.07 removed 6.08 cApproved ruling: Penalty for catcher‘s interference during a squeeze play No change to the approved ruling so far Relation to 7.09 h removed 7.09 b, 6.05 hbat touches a pitch a 2nd time 6.05 h stays the same Less important changes

Minor League: 10 game suspention 8.02 bpitcher carries a foreign substance Less important changes

Rule changes 2008 How do umpires handle these rule changes?

Changes are communicated to all clubs Umpires are SBSF representatives and therefor responsible for their inforcement Expected trouble: penalty strikes Use preseason games Use plate conference - but don ‘ t lecture Get yourself ready and prepared for it Enforce the rules from day 1 on!!! Enforce the rules constantly Rule changes 2008

Don ‘ t be easy on the players at the beginning of the season Don ‘ t develop your own philosophy This challenge exists in every sport Strict enforcement gives you self-confidence Rule changes 2008