1. BASE STEALING: 

Stealing of bases permitted in 10U - 18U. 

2. The LOOK-BACK RULE: 

Is in effect when the ball is live, the batter-runner has touched first base or has been declared out, and the pitcher has possession of the ball (e.g. has the ball in their hand,  glove, underarm or chin, between their legs) within the 16-foot circle. Any runner(s) in motion may continue without stopping or may stop once. Any runner who is stopped or stops their motion must immediately move directly back to the last base touched or attempt to advance to the next base. Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, they may not move off that base. A batter-runner who overruns first and does not without delay attempt to advance to second is committed to return to first and stop. The runner, off base, may not stand motionless. There does not need to be any motion or recognition by the pitcher.  Failure of the runner to respond as indicated shall cause the Umpire to signal the runner out. The ball shall be declared dead. If the pitcher no longer has possession of the ball within the 16-foot circle, the pitcher makes an attempt on any of the runners, or a fake throw is made, this rule does not apply. Being in the 16-foot circle is defined as both feet within or partially within the line. The feet may touch the line and extend outside the line.  When the pitcher is in the pitcher’s circle and a runner(s) is off the base, the pitcher is considered to be playing on the runner(s) when the throwing arm is raised or any forward movement of the body is made toward the runner. The movement of the head is not considered an attempted play. 

EFFECT: The ball is dead, and the runner is out. 

3. COURTESY RUNNER: 

A.) The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher any time after they reach base other than by substitution. The same runner may not be used for both positions in the same inning. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher  will be required to leave under such circumstances 

B.) Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are not entitled to serve as a courtesy runner (i.e., the courtesy runner must be an unused substitute or the Last Completed at Bat (LCAB) may serve as a  courtesy runner, subject to all other applicable restrictions (cannot run for both positions in the same inning, etc). The LCAB courtesy runner is determined at the time the courtesy runner is requested, skipping batters 

    1. currently on base, 
    2. who are the pitcher or catcher of record, or 
    3. who have already courtesy run for another position in the same inning. In the first inning, if no eligible substitutes are available to courtesy run, the  LCAB courtesy runner shall be the person furthest away in the batting order  (i.e., the LCAB courtesy runner for the leadoff batter is the last batter listed in the lineup). 

PENALTY: If an ineligible courtesy runner is utilized and is discovered while still on base, the runner shall be called out and a team warning issued. On the second offense, the head coach is ejected for the remainder of that game only. If an incorrect yet eligible courtesy runner is utilized, replace them with the correct courtesy runner.  No penalty will be given.

C). A runner put in for any player other than the pitcher or catcher will be considered a substitute player. 

D). A player may not run as a courtesy runner and be used as a substitute for another player in that half-inning. 

EXCEPTION: Unless there is an injury and there is no substitute available,  the courtesy runner must be used as a substitute and take the place of the injured player. Should the courtesy runner be on base, the pitcher or catcher for whom the courtesy runner is running must run in their place. 

E.) Once a courtesy runner is designated for that half-inning, no other courtesy runner or the pitcher or catcher may return to run for the original courtesy runner.  Should an injury occur, another courtesy runner or the pitcher or catcher may run until they score or are put out. 

F). The courtesy runner is not permitted to be used for the DP unless the DP is the pitcher or catcher of record. 

PENALTY Unreported courtesy runner: An unreported courtesy runner is treated the same as an unreported substitute. The team is warned, and further violations result in the ejection of the coach. 

4. BATTER/RUNNER: 

A batter becomes a batter-runner with the right to attempt to score by advancing  to first, second and third, and then home plate in the listed order when: 

A.) Hitting a fair ball. 

NOTE: Batter becomes a runner when entitled to run. 

B.) Charged with a third strike. 

NOTE: if a third strike is caught before the ball touches the ground, the batter is out an instant after becoming a runner. 

C.) A fourth ball is called by the umpire. 

D.) A pitched ball, legal or illegal, hits the batter’s person or clothing. 

EFFECT: The ball is dead immediately. 

EXCEPTIONS: 

1.)If the batter swings or If the ball enters the strike zone or If the batter prevents the ball from entering the strike zone, a strike is called on the batter;  and if it is the third strike, the batter is out. 

2.) If the batter intentionally moves to get hit by the pitch, it is a strike or ball depending on the location of the pitch. 

      1. If a batter’s loose garment, such as a shirt that is not buttoned is hit by a  pitched ball, the batter is not entitled to first base. 
      2. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter. 
      3. The batter’s hands are not considered part of the bat. 
      4. If a batter swings and the ball hits their hands which sends it into fair or  foul territory, the ball is dead immediately; a strike is called on the batter;  and if it is the third strike, the batter is out 

E.) The catcher or any infielder obstructs him. Obstruction on the batter is a delayed dead ball. The coach or captain of the team at bat, after being informed by the  Plate Umpire of the obstruction, shall indicate to the Umpire whether they elect to accept the result of the play or to accept the penalty of awarding the batter first base and advancing all other runners only if forced. Such election shall be made before the next pitch (legal or illegal) or before the infielders leave the diamond. Obstruction of the batter (before the batter has become a batter-runner)  is ignored if the batter-runner reaches first and all other runners advance at least one base.

NOTE: 1. Any runner attempting to advance (i.e., steal or squeeze) on a catcher’s or any infielder’s obstruction of the batter shall be awarded the base the runner is attempting. If a runner is not attempting to advance on the catcher’s, the runner shall not be entitled to the next base, unless forced to advance because of the batter being awarded first base. 

NOTE 2. If obstruction is enforced, all other runners on the play will return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch unless forced to advance because of the batter being awarded first base. 

NOTE 3. If the obstruction penalty is not enforced, all other runners advance at their own risk. 

5. A BATTER/RUNNER IS AWARDED FIRST BASE IF: 

A.) A fourth ball is called. 

B.) Hit by a pitched ball as provided in section 8.4.D. 

C.) The catcher or any infielder obstructs him. 

D.) A fair ball, other than an infield fly, becomes dead and provided a preceding retired runner does not interfere in such a way as to prevent an obvious double play. 

NOTE: Unless awarded first base as above, a batter-runner is entitled to first base only if the batter-runner reaches it before being tagged out, thrown out, or called out for hitting an infield fly. 

      1. hit by a thrown ball while legally advancing which incapacitated the batter-runner prior to reaching 1st base. 

6. TOUCHING BASES IN LEGAL ORDER: 

A.) An advancing runner shall touch first, second, third, and then home plate in  order. 

B.) A returning runner shall retouch the bases in reverse order. Except when an uncaught foul ball causes the ball to become dead, the runner need not touch intervening bases. 

C.) Any runner who misses a base while advancing may not return to touch the missed base if a following runner has scored. 

NOTE: Any runner who misses the first base to which they are advancing and who is later called out shall be considered as having advanced one base. 

D.) When a runner passes a base, the runner is considered to have touched the base for purposes of awarded bases. 

E.) When a runner dislodges a base from its proper position, neither the runner nor the succeeding runner(s) in the same series of plays is compelled to follow a  base out of position. 

F.) A runner shall not run bases in reverse order either to confuse the fielders or to make a travesty of the game. 

EFFECT: The ball is dead, and the runner is out. 

G.) Two runners may not occupy the same base simultaneously.

EFFECT: The runner who first legally occupied the base shall be entitled to it unless forced to advance. The other runner may be put out by being touched with the ball. 

H.) Failure of a PRECEDING runner to touch a base or to legally tag up on a caught fly ball, and who is declared out, does not affect the status of a SUCCEEDING runner who touches bases in proper order. If the failure to touch a base in regular order or to legally tag up on a caught fly ball is the third out of the inning, no SUCCEEDING runner may score a run. 

I.) No runner may return to touch a missed base, or one left too soon after a following runner has scored or once the runner leaves the field of play. 

J.) Bases left too soon on a caught fly ball must be retouched prior to advancing to awarded bases. 

K.) Awarded bases must be touched in legal order. 

7. RUNNER MAY ADVANCE: 

A.) A runner may advance with liability to be put out. A. When the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on the delivery. 

B.) On a thrown ball or a fair batted ball that is not blocked. 

C.) On a thrown ball that hits an Umpire. 

D.) If a batted ball (fair or foul other than a foul tip) is caught, the initial contact of the ball by a fielder releases the runner(s) from the base(s) occupied at the time of the pitch. 

E.) If a fair ball strikes an Umpire or a runner after having passed an infielder other than the pitcher and provided no other fielder had a chance to make an out, or when a fair batted ball has been touched by an infielder, including the pitcher, and the runner did not intentionally interfere with the batted ball or the fielder attempting to field the batted ball. 

EFFECT: The ball is in play. 

8. RUNNERS MAY BE PUT OUT: 

A Runner becomes liable to be put out when:  

A.) with the ball in play or on awarded bases, the runner fails to touch a base before attempting to make the next base. 

B.) after overrunning first base, the runner attempts to continue to second base. 

C.) after dislodging a base, a runner attempts to continue to the next base. 

9. RUNNERS MAY RETURN TO BASE 

If a batter-runner is entitled to return to first base after overrunning, or if a runner fails to touch home plate, and if either such runner desires to return to such base, the runner shall return immediately. 

10. RUNNERS RETURNING TO FIRST BASE: 

A batter-runner who reaches first base safely and then overruns or over slides may immediately return without liability of being put out, provided they do not feint or attempt to advance to second. 

NOTE 1: When a walk or uncaught third strike occurs in which the batter is entitled to run, it is treated the same as a batted ball. The batter-runner may continue past first base and is entitled to run toward second base as long as they do not stop at first base if the pitcher has possession of the ball in the 16- foot circle. If the runner stops after rounding first base, the runner must comply with the Look Back Rule (Rule 8, Sec 2). 

NOTE 2: A player who is awarded first base on a base on balls may continue on down the first base line after touching first base and immediately return without liability of being put out, if there is no deception or attempt to advance to second.  They may also round first base and go directly to second base without stopping. If the runner does stop, the runner must comply with the Look Back Rule (Rule 8, Sec 2). 

11. RUNNERS RIGHT TO BASE: 

A runner acquires the right to the proper unoccupied base if the runner touches it before being put out. The runner is then entitled to this base until being put out, or until legally touching the next base while it is unoccupied, or until a following runner is forced to advance to the base occupied. 

12. RUNNERS RETURN TO BASE ENTITLED TO: 

Each runner shall touch their base after the ball becomes dead. All awarded bases must be touched in their proper order. The runner returns to the base they had reached or passed when the ball became dead. In the event of interference, a runner returns to the base they had legally reached at the time of the interference. If the interference does not cause the batter to be out and any other runner cannot return to the base last legally occupied at the time of the interference, they are advanced to the next base. 

EXCEPTION: The runner returns to the base occupied at the time of the pitch if their advance was during an uncaught foul. 

13. OBSTRUCTION: 

When a runner is obstructed while advancing or returning to a base, by a fielder who neither has the ball nor is attempting an initial play on a batted ball, it shall be a delayed dead-ball. 

EFFECT: If the obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base that would have been reached had there not been obstruction, a dead ball is declared, and the Umpire shall award the obstructed runner, and each other runner affected by the obstruction, the bases they would have reached, in the Umpire’s judgment, had there been no obstruction. 

A.) If the obstructed runner advances beyond the base the runner would have reached, in the Umpire’s judgment, the delayed dead ball is terminated and the runner advances with liability to be put out. 

B.) If any preceding runner is forced to advance by the awarding of a base or bases to an obstructed runner, the Umpire shall award this preceding runner the necessary base or bases. 

C.) The penalty for faking a tag is obstruction. 

D.) An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where the runner was obstructed except as follows: 

    1. The obstructed runner obtains the base they would have been awarded had there has been no obstruction and there is a subsequent play. The obstructed runner is no longer protected if they leave the base.
    2. The obstructed runner commits an act of interference or malicious contact 
    3. The obstructed runner passes another runner. 
    4. A proper appeal is made for leaving a base too soon or for missing a base. 

NOTE: When obstruction occurs, the Umpire gives the delayed dead-ball signal and calls out “obstruction.” If an award is to be made, the ball becomes dead when time is taken to make the award. 

14. AWARDED BASES: 

All awarded bases must be touched. Each runner including the batter-runner is awarded: 

A) Four bases (home base): 

    1. If a fair-batted ball goes over the fence between the foul poles without touching the ground. 
    2. If a fair-batted ball hits a foul pole above the fence. 
    3. If a fair-batted ball is prevented from going over the fence by a spectator. 
    4. If a fair-batted ball is prevented from going over the fence by an illegal glove/mitt. 
    5. If a fair-batted ball is prevented from going over the fence by detached player equipment, which is thrown, tossed, kicked, or held by a fielder. 

B) Three bases: 

    1. If a fair-batted ball (other than in item a) is touched by an illegal glove/mitt or by detached player equipment which is thrown, tossed, held, or kicked by a fielder, provided the ball when touched: 
    2. Is on or over fairground. 
    3. Is a fair ball, while on or over foul ground. 
    4. Is over foul ground in a situation that it might become a fair ball.

C) Two bases: 

    1. If a fair-batted ball becomes dead because of bouncing over or, when passing through a fence, becomes blocked. 
    2. If a live thrown ball, including a pitch, is touched by an illegal glove/mitt or detached player equipment which is thrown, held, tossed, or kicked by a  fielder. 
    3. If a live thrown ball, not by a pitcher from the pitcher’s plate as in an item goes into a stand for spectators, or a players’ bench, or over or through or lodges in a fence. 
    4. If the fielder, in the judgment of the Umpire, intentionally touches loose equipment left on or near the field by the defensive team. 
    5. If the fielder intentionally carries a live ball into dead-ball territory. 

NOTE: If two runners are between the same bases, the award is based on the position of the lead runner. 

D) One base: 

    1. If a pitch by the pitcher from the pitching position on the pitcher’s plate goes into a dead-ball area, becomes blocked (unless by the offensive), lodges in an Umpire or catcher’s equipment.
    2. If a fielder loses possession of the ball on a tag play and the ball enters a dead-ball area. 
    3. If forced from the base occupied by a following runner who must advance because a batter receives a fourth ball is hit by a pitched ball or hits a fair ball which becomes dead. 
    4. If a runner is attempting to steal or the runner is forced from the base occupied by a batter-runner or runner who must advance because the catcher or any fielder obstructed a batter (such as stepping on or across home plate, pushing the batter to reach the pitch, or touching the bat). Instances may occur when the infraction may be ignored or when the batter may be awarded first base. 
    5. If the fielder unintentionally carries a live ball into dead ball territory. 

NOTE 1: Illegal use of detached player equipment, as in items a, b, or c, does not cause the ball to immediately become dead. If each runner advances to or beyond the base that each would have reached as a result of the award, the infraction is ignored. 

NOTE 2: If a ball is touched with an illegal glove or mitt, any runner who advances on the play beyond the base they would be awarded does so at their own risk and may be put out. 

E) The Umpire shall impose such penalties and/or make any awards as in the  Umpire’s judgment will nullify the following acts: 

    1. Spectator interference. When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference. 

NOTE EXCEPTION: It is not spectator interference if a spectator physically hinders a fielder who is reaching into a dead ball area to make a play on a batted or thrown ball. 

    1. Blocked ball caused by the defense. 

15. AN AWARD IS FROM THE BASE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS:

A) The pitch: 

    1. If any pitch (batted or unbatted) is followed by a dead ball before the pitcher is in the 16-foot circle for the next pitch and before there is any throw by the fielding team. 
    2. For a runner required to tag up after a caught fly ball. 

B) The infraction: 

    1. If the award is for any pitching infraction followed by a pitch. 
    2. For use of detached player equipment or ball touches an illegal glove
    3. For a fielder losing possession of the ball. 
    4. Obstruction. 

C) The time the ball last left the hand of the thrower (in any situation other than A or B) 

16. A RUNNER MUST RETURN TO THEIR BASE WHEN: 

A.) a batted ball is foul. 

B.) an illegally batted ball is declared by the Umpire.

C.) a batter, batter-runner, or runner is called out for interference. Each other runner shall return to the last base which, in the Umpire’s judgment, was legally touched by the runner at the time of the interference. 

D.) any part of the batter’s person or clothing is touched by a pitched ball that is  swung at and missed. 

E.) a batter is hit by a pitched ball unless forced. 

F.) when an intentionally dropped ball is ruled 

EFFECT: The ball is dead and each runner must return to their base without liability to be put out, except when forced to go to the next base because the batter became a batter-runner. (ie. when the Plate Umpire interferes with the catcher’s attempt to throw out a runner stealing, or an attempted pick-off play) 

EFFECT: Delayed dead ball. If the runner is ruled out, the ball remains live. If the runner is not out, all runners return to the base occupied at the start of the pitch. It is not Umpire interference if, on a passed ball or wild pitch, the Umpire gets hit by a thrown ball from the catcher. The ball is live. 

17. THE BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT: 

A.) When interfering with the catcher’s attempt to field the ball after a third strike. 

B.) When a batted ball in flight is caught by a fielder or such catch is prevented by a spectator reaching into the field enclosure. 

C.) When a fair fly, fair line drive, or a fair bunted ball in flight is dropped by an infielder with at least first base occupied and less than two outs; the ball is dead and the runners shall return to their respective bases. 

NOTE: In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits a fair fly ball, line drive or a fair bunted ball in flight to drop untouched to the ground, except when the infield-fly rule applies. 

D.) If, after a third strike or a fair hit, any fielder, while holding the ball, tags out the batter-runner before the batter-runner touches first base; or if any fielder,  while holding the ball securely in a hand, touches first base or touches first base with the ball before the batter-runner touches first base. 

E.) When they run outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance from home plate to first base) while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base. 

EXCEPTION: This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball or if the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw. 

F.) When they contact the ball a second time in fair or foul territory, if,  in the Umpire’s judgment, the ball had a chance to become fair. 

G.) When they move backward toward home plate to avoid or delay being tagged out. The ball is dead and base runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the infraction. 

H.) When they hit a fair fly and the infield fly rule is declared. 

EFFECT: The ball is live; the batter is out if the batted ball is fair. If the ball is caught, each runner may tag up and advance with the liability to be put out once the batted ball is touched the same as on any caught fly ball. If a declared infield fly is not caught, the ball is live, the batter-runner is out which removes all force plays, and each runner may advance with liability to be put out without needing to retouch their base(s). 

I.) When any coach or member of the offensive team other than runners interferes with a fielder making an initial play. 

J.) When, after becoming a batter-runner, they do not attempt to reach first base before all infielders leave the diamond, the half-inning ends, or they give up by entering the bench or dugout area. 

EFFECT: Ball remains Live 

K.) When they are an illegal substitute and are discovered. 

18. ANY RUNNER IS OUT WHEN THE RUNNER: 

A.) Runs more than three feet away from the base path to avoid being tagged, or to hinder a fielder while the runner is advancing or returning to a base. 

EXCEPTION: This is not an infraction if a fielder, attempting to field a  batted ball, is in the runner’s proper path and if the runner runs behind the fielder to avoid interfering. 

NOTE: When a play is being made on a runner or batter-runner, the runner establishes their base path as directly between the runner’s position and the base toward which the runner is moving. 

B.) Slides illegally and causes illegal contact and/or illegally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on him. 

PENALTY: The runner is out and the ball is dead immediately and interference is called. 

NOTE: Runners are never required to slide but, if the runner elects to slide, the slide shall be legal. 

C.) does not legally attempt to avoid a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on him. 

PENALTY: The runner is out, and the ball remains live unless interference is called. 

NOTE: Jumping, hurdling, and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a  fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground. 

D.) performs Malicious contact (always supersedes obstruction). 

E.) does not attempt to avoid the fielder on a force play. 

NOTE: a legal slide is considered an attempt to avoid. 

F.) Interferes intentionally with a throw or thrown ball. 

G.) Hinders a fielder’s initial play on a batted ball. 

H.) Is prevented from being put out by an illegal act by anyone connected with the team. 

NOTE 1: If, in the judgment of the Umpire, this interference is an attempt to prevent a double play and occurs before the runner is put out, the immediate trailing runner shall also be called out.

NOTE 2: If a retired runner interferes and, in the judgment of the Umpire,  another runner could have been put out, the Umpire shall declare the runner closest to home out. 

NOTE 3: If the batter-runner interferes, the Umpire shall call the batter-runner and the runner who has advanced the nearest to home base out. 

NOTE 4: If two fielders try to field a batted ball and the runner contacts one or both, the Umpire shall decide which one is entitled to field the ball and that fielder only is entitled to protection. 

NOTE 5: If a batted ball is misplayed but the fielder is still making an initial play and the runner contacts the fielder, this is still interference. If the misplayed ball bounds away or past the fielder and then contact occurs as the fielder and runner collide, this may be considered inadvertent contact or obstruction. 

I.) Is tagged out. 

EXCEPTIONS: If a batter-runner safely touches first base and then over slides or overruns it, the batter-runner may immediately return to first base without liability of being tagged out, provided there was no feint or attempt to advance to second. Also, if any base comes loose from its fastening when any runner contacts it, such runner cannot be tagged out because the base slides away from the runner. 

NOTE: The ball is not securely held if it is dropped or juggled after the runner is touched, unless the ball was deliberately knocked from the fielder’s hand by the runner.

J.)  Does not retouch a base left before a caught fly ball is touched or touch a missed base if properly appealed. It is not necessary for a  runner to retouch the base after a foul tip. 

K.) Is not in contact with the base at the time a pitched ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. However, if the pitcher does not allow sufficient time for a runner to return to base, the runner shall not be called out for being off the base before the pitcher releases the ball. The runner may advance as though the base was left legally. 

L.) Violates the Look Back Rule 

M.) Fails to reach the next base before a fielder either tags the runner out or holds the ball while touching such base, after the runner has been forced from the base occupied because the batter became a runner. 

EXCEPTION: No runner may be forced out if a runner who follows in the batting order is first put out, including a batter-runner who is out for an infield fly. 

N.) Is contacted by a fair-batted ball before it touches or passes an infielder, or after it passes any infielder, except the pitcher, and the Umpire judges that another infielder has a play. 

EFFECT: The ball is dead, and the batter is awarded first base. All base runners return to the base occupied at the time of the infraction unless forced. 

EXCEPTION: If a runner is touching a base when hit by a batted fair ball,  the runner is not out unless they intentionally interfere with the ball or an infielder making a play. 

NOTE 1: When the infield fly rule is in effect, if a runner is hit by an infield fly when not touching a base, both the runner and the batter are out.

NOTE 2: When a runner is hit with a fair batted ball after it is touched or has passed an infielder, except the pitcher, and the Umpire judges that another infielder had no opportunity to make a play, the runner is not out and the ball remains live. O. Is detected passing an unobstructed preceding runner before such runner is out (including awarded bases). 

O.) Is detected running bases in reverse to confuse opponents or to make a travesty of the game. 

P.) After at least touching first base, the runner leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning their effort to touch the next base. 

Q.) Is detected taking a position for a running start behind and not in contact with a base. 

R.) Is on or beyond a succeeding base when the ball is declared dead after having left a base too soon on a caught fly ball, or having failed to touch a preceding base; or continuing and touching a succeeding base after the ball becomes dead. 

NOTE: A runner shall not be declared out if the fielder deliberately throws or carries the ball into dead-ball territory to prevent that runner, who has touched or advanced beyond a succeeding base, from returning to a missed base or a base left too soon. 

R.) Fails to touch base and appeal 

S.) the runner fails to touch the intervening base or bases in regular or reverse order and the ball is returned to an infielder and properly appealed. 

T.) Intentional contacts a fair ball 

U.) Prior to a pitch (legal or illegal) to the next batter, the runner was discovered having hit the ball with an illegal bat or non-approved bat. 

EFFECT: Any runner not put out must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. Any runners put out prior to the discovery shall remain out. 

First Offense: Team Warning 

Subsequent Offense: Player Restricted to Dugout;  Coach Ejected. 

V.) a runner on base leaves the game without a replacement substitute. The runner is also out because of actions of other team members such as 

W.) the immediate preceding runner who is not out, intentionally interferes, in the Umpire’s judgment, with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or throw a ball in an attempt to complete the play on the batter-runner. 

EFFECT: The runner shall also be called out. 

X.) When anyone other than another runner physically assists them while the ball is in play. 

Y.) When a Coach intentionally interferes with a live, batted ball, or thrown ball. 

Z.) When the offensive team causes a blocked ball. 

EFFECT: The runner closest to home is out. If no play is obvious, no player is out, but all runners shall return to the last base touched when the ball becomes dead. 

AA.) When a Coach runs in the direction of Home Plate or any other base, on or near a baseline, while the Fielder is attempting to make a play on a batted ball or on a  thrown ball, and thereby draws a throw in their direction. 

19. DOUBLE FIRST BASE

The Double First Base shall consist of a base in fair territory that is white in color and a base in foul territory that is colored.

A.) A batted ball hitting or bounding over any part of the white portion is declared fair. A batted ball hitting or bounding over only the colored portion is declared foul. 

B.) Whenever a play is being made on the batter-runner, the defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the colored portion. 

    1. If the batter-runner touches only the white portion when there is a play being made at first base, it is treated the same as missing the base. The batter-runner is out providing the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base. Once the runner returns to the white or colored portion, no appeal can be made.
    2. If the defense touches only the colored portion, it is treated the same as being off the base.

Exceptions: The defense and batter-runner can use either portion when:

    1. The ball is thrown from the foul side of the first baseline. 
    2. On any force-out attempt from the foul side of first base.
    3. On any fair batted ball or errant throw that pulls the defense to foul territory. 

C.) If there is a force play by an infielder on the batter-runner, who touches only the white portion and collides with the fielder about to catch a thrown ball while on the white, Interference is ruled. Penalty: The ball is dead, the batter-runner is out,  and all other runners are returned to the base last occupied at the time of interference. 

D.) When no play is being attempted at first base, the batter-runner may touch the white or colored base. 

E.) After the batter-runner initially reaches first base, the runner and any fielder may use the white or colored base. This shall include but is not limited to: 

    1. The runner returning to first base.
    2. The runner tagging up on a fly ball.
    3. The fielder making a play on a returning runner.