36 5.08 –If a thrown ball accidentally touches a base coach, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play. However, if the coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner is out. 5.09 –The ball becomes dead and runners may advance one base, or return to their bases as indicated below, without liability to be put out, when— (a) A pitched ball touches a batter, or the batter’s clothing, while in a legal batting position; runners, if forced, advance (see 6.08). (b) The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base; runners return. If catcher’s throw gets the runner out, the out stands. No umpire interference. (c) A ball is illegally batted either fair or foul; runners return. (d) A foul ball was not caught; runners return. The umpire shall not put the ball in play until all runners have retouched their bases. (e) A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder or the pitcher or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher. The runner hit by fair batted ball is out. The ball is dead, and no runners advance. NOTE: If a fair ball goes through, or by an infielder and touches a runner immediately back of said infielder or touches a runner after being deflected by an infielder, the ball is in play and the umpire shall not declare the runner out. If the ball passed through, or by, the infielder and no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball; runners advance, if forced. (f) A pitched ball lodges in the umpire’s or catcher’s mask or paraphernalia and remains out of play; runners advance one base. 5.10–The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls “Time.” The umpire-in-chief shall call time when: (a) In the umpire’s judgment, weather, darkness, or similar conditions make immediate further play impossible. (b) Light failure makes it difficult for the umpires to follow the play. (c) An accident incapacitates a player or an umpire. (d) If an accident to a runner prevents said runner from proceeding to an entitled base, as on a home run hit out of the playing field or an award of one or more bases, a substitute runner, shall be permitted to complete the play. (e) A manager requests “Time” for a substitution, or for a conference with one of the players. (f) He examines the ball, to consult with either manager, or for any similar cause. (g) A fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls onto a bench or stand, or falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field. Runners advance one base, ball is dead; NOTE: If a fielder, after making a catch, steps into a bench but does not fall, the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own peril. (h) An umpire orders a player, or any other person removed from the playing field. (i) Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this rule, no umpire shall call “Time” while a play is in progress. 5.11–After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes position on the pitcher’s plate with a new ball or the same ball in said pitcher’s possession and the plate umpire calls “Play.” The plate umpire shall call “Play” as soon as the pitcher takes
