40 Irwin is the proper batter. PLAY (5). After Play (4) (b) above, George continues to bat. (a) Henry is picked off third base for the third out, or (b) George flies out, and no appeal is made. Who is the proper leadoff batter in the second inning? RULING: (a) Irwin became the proper batter as soon as the first pitch to George legalized Henry’s triple; (b) Henry. When no appeal was made, the first pitch to the lead- off batter of the opposing team legalized George’s time at bat. PLAY (6). Daniel walks and Abel comes to bat. Daniel was an improper batter and if an appeal is made before the first pitch to Abel, Abel is out, Daniel is removed from base, and Baker is proper batter. There is no appeal, and a pitch is made to Abel. Daniel’s walk is now legalized, and Edward thereby becomes the proper batter. Edward can replace Abel at any time before Abel is put out or becomes a runner. Edward does not do so. Abel flies out, and Baker comes to bat. Abel was an improper batter, and if an appeal is made before the first pitch to Baker, Edward is out, and the proper batter is Frank. There is no appeal, and a pitch is made to Baker. Abel’s out is now legalized, and the proper batter is Baker. Baker walks. Charles is the proper batter. Charles flies out. Now Daniel is the proper batter, but Daniel is on second base. Who is the proper batter? RULING: The proper batter is Edward. When the proper batter is on base, that batter is passed over, and the following batter becomes the proper batter. 6.08 –The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided said runner advances to and touches first base) when– (a) Four “balls” have been called by the umpire. (b) An Intentional Base on Balls is requested by the defensive team (Dead Ball) (c) The batter is touched by a pitched ball which the batter is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball. NOTE: If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if that batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched. APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle that batter to first base, the ball is dead, and no runner may advance. (d) The catcher or any fielder interferes with the batter. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such an election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference. COMMENT: If catcher’s interference is called with a play in progress the umpire will allow the play to continue because the manager may elect to take the play. (e) A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territory before touching a fielder. NOTE: If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder, including the pitcher, the ball is in play. 6.09 –The batter becomes a runner when– (a) A fair ball is hit. (b) (“O” Zone Division ONLY) The third strike called by the umpires is not caught,
