Official Baseball Rules TOP 2024 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Ambidextrous Pitchers - A pitcher must visually indicate with which hand he will use to pitch prior to the start of a plate appearance. This can be accomplished simply by wearing his glove on his non-throwing hand and placing his foot on the pitching rubber. Barring injury, he is not permitted to pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, becomes a baserunner or is removed for a pinch-hitter. Appeal Plays - An appeal can be made when the offensive team bats out of turn. The defensive team can appeal certain plays to alert the umpires of infractions that would otherwise be allowed without the appeal. Balk - A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher when one or more runners are on base. The rule is in place to prevent a pitcher from deceiving the baserunners. When a balk is called, the ball is dead and all runners move up one base. However, the play proceeds without reference to the balk if the batter reaches first and all other runners advance at least one base. Batter's Box - The batter is expected to promptly take his place in the batter's box when his turn to bat comes up and is not permitted to exit the box once the pitcher begins his windup or comes to the set position. The batter can request to be granted time by the umpire if the pitcher has not begun his windup or come to the set position. If his request is granted, the batter is then able to exit the box, but not the dirt area surrounding home plate.