Answers:

Situation 1: Yes – Rule 2.00-STRIKE (e) & 6.05(e). The old myth comes back to haunt you if you got this one wrong. The hands are NOT part of the bat. We do not know of a manufacturer that makes bats with hands on them. Swinging strike three, ball is dead and runner on first stays on first.

Situation 2: Yes – Rule 7.08(b) & 7.09(1). The base runner must give ground to a defensive player who is making a play on a batted ball. The runner is out whether it is deemed intentional or not intentional.

Situation 3: None – Rule 7.05(c). The rule only penalizes a defensive player if the ball is TOUCHED by the thrown glove.

Situation 4: One – Rule 7.05 (h). One from the rubber and two from the field is the old adage and still (for the most part) applies.

Situation 5: No – Rule 8.05. However, it would be one of two illegal pitches that are outlined in 8.05 (e) & (g). You may also want to review rule 2.00 – ILLEGAL PITCH.

Situation 6: Fair – Rule 2.00. Review your definition of a fair ball. A batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base is a fair ball.

Situation 7: Foul – Rule 2.00. A fair/foul fly shall be adjudged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time such fielder touches the ball.

Situation 8: Safe – Rule 2.00 – CATCH. It is not a catch if the fielder collides with a player, or with a wall, or if that fielder falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball.

Situation 9: No – Rule 2.00 – FOUL TIP. Sharp and direct from the bat to the catchers hand or mitt and anything else is a foul ball.

Situation 10: Yes – Rule 3.03. Starting players have reentry rights by rule. So a starter (other than a pitcher) may come out for a sub anytime, even before the game starts and then reenter to fulfill his/her mandatory play.

Situation 11: Wrong – Rule 4.19(a). Illegal equipment is removed from the game and all action that resulted from the use of the illegal equipment remains. Home run stands and bat removed.

Situation 12: None – Rule 3.03. Starting players may not return to the line up until their substitute plays six (6) consecutive outs and bats at least once; in this case the first sub has not and can not get his/her six (6) outs and will not have batted at least once meaning the starter cannot return in this game.

Situation 13: None – Rule 4.09(a) EXCEPTIONS: (2). The rule is pretty cut and dry in that it specifically says no runs will score when the third out of the inning is a force play out.

Situation 14: No – Rule 6.01 NOTE outlines if the third out of the inning is made while that batter is at bat the count will start over, but not when one batter takes the place of another during an at bat.

Situation 15: None – Rule 7.10(b) & 4.09(a) EXCEPTIONS(1). As mentioned above no runs will score when the third out of the inning is made on the batter runner before touching first base and the defense initiates a proper appeal.

Situation 16: No – Rule 8.05 PENALTY. The umpire should approach the manager of the offensive team and advise him/her that there is an option on this play. The manager would take the results of the play or the penalty for the illegal pitch.

Situation 17: Yes – Rule 7.08 (f). Another one of those myths. The base does not protect a runner from being called out when hit with a fair batted ball before the ball has touched or passed an infielder. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touching a base when touched by an Infield Fly, that runner is not out, although the batter is out.

Situation 18: Yes – Rule 2.00 – FORCE PLAY, 4.09 EXCEPTIONS & 7.10(a). While most appeals must be verbal so the umpire knows the defense is aware of a base running infraction this play does not have to be verbal because the actions of the defense lets the umpire know that they know the runner on first did not tag up. The base runner on first base was REQUIRED to tag up but when the batter was out on the catch of the fly ball the force was removed and this becomes a TIMING play. If the runner on third tags or touches home plate before the ball gets to the first baseman for the out at first the run would count.

Situation 19: None – Rule 7.13. In this case the batter-runner was thrown out thus opening up bases in which to return runners because of leaving early. Return both runners to second and third and remove the runs from the book. The violation by one base runner shall affect all other base runners.

Situation 20: Wrong – Rule 2.00 – FORCE PLAY. By stepping on first base the defense team has removed the force and to get the out at second the base runner would need to be tagged.