21 interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, and rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is “held up” and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed. The CATCHER’S BOX is that area within which the catcher shall stand until the pitcher delivers the ball. CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES are playoff games played by two or more teams tied at the end of regular season play with identical won/loss records to determine a league champion; or, when applicable, first or second half winners to determine a league champion or playoff games between tied teams to determine first or second half winner. These games are not scheduled regular season games but additional games required to determine a league champion or first or second half winner. They are not to be considered as tournament games and are to be played according to regular season rules. A COACH is one who assists the manager and whose name also appears on the Player Registration Form. A COMPLETE TIME AT BAT begins when a player takes a position in the batter’s box as a batter with a count of no balls and no strikes and ends when that player reaches base safely or is declared out. A DEAD BALL is a ball out of play because of a legally created temporary sus- pension of play. The DEFENSE (or DEFENSIVE) is the team, or any player(s), in the field. DOUBLE ELIMINATION is the loss of two games by the same team in a single tournament at any level, i.e., area, sub-district, district, state, World Series. A DOUBLE PLAY is a play by the defense in which two offensive players are put out as a result of continuous action, providing there is no error between putouts. (a) A force double play is one in which both putouts are force plays. (b) A reverse force double play occurs when the first out is made at any base and the second out is made on a runner for whom the force is removed by reason of the first out. A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight. COMMENT: If a fly ball lands in the infield between home and first base, or home and third base, and then bounces to foul territory without touching a player or umpire and before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball; or if the ball settles on foul territory or is touched by a player on foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a fly ball lands on or beyond first or third base and then bounces to foul territory, it is a fair hit. NOTE: A fair fly shall be adjudged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time such fielder touches the ball. FAIR TERRITORY is that part of the playing field within, and including the first base and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards. Home plate, first base and third base and all foul lines are in fair territory.
