Dan Formosa, PhD, is an award-winning consultant based in Piermont, New York, and New York City. He grew up playing stoopball and is a die-hard Yankees fan.

Paul Hamburger, originally from Brooklyn, is a creative director and recent transplant to Los Angeles. As a Mets fan, he is resentful toward the success of other local baseball organizations.

Contents

Introduction: How to Use This Book

1. Basic Rules of Baseball

Baseball Basics
Baseball: Basic Rules
An Example of a Half-Inning

2. Teams and Leagues

Teams and Leagues: Basics
The Regular Season
The All-Star Game
Postseason Championships
Minor League vs. Major League Rules

3. Before the Game Starts

Thirty Minutes Before
Preparing the Baseballs
Forfeits
Five Minutes Before
Starting the Game

4. Equipment

The Ball
The Bat
Gloves and Mitts
The Uniforms
Helmets
Shoes

5. Field Specifications

The Field
The Batter’s Box
The Pitcher’s Mound
The Bases
Major League Fields

6. Pitching

Pitching Positions
The Pitching Sequence
The Balk
The Strike Zone
Strikes and Balls
Wild Pitches and Throws by the Pitcher
Miscellaneous Pitching Rules
Ball Tampering
Pitcher Substitutions (Relief Pitchers)
Visits to the Pitcher’s Mound
Ambidextrous Pitchers

7. Batting

Basics for the Batter
Strikes and the Strike Zone
Illegal Bats
Calling “Time”
The Batter’s Box
Getting on Base
Hit by a Pitch
The Batting Order
Offensive Interference by the Batter
Defensive Interference Against the Batter
Making an Out
The Designated Hitter

8. Running

Basics for the Runner
Twelve Ways a Runner Can Be Put Out
Force Plays
Base-Running Mistakes
Tagging Up
Scoring with Two Outs
Running Outside the Baseline
Touched by a Batted Ball

9. Fielding

Basics for the Fielder
Awarded Bases Due to a Fielder
If a Fielder Enters the Stands or Dugout
The Infield Fly Rule
Fielder’s Choice
Outs
Automatic Outs: Credits for Fielders

10. Interference, Obstruction, and Collisions

Interference and Obstruction
Who Has Right-of-Way
Interference by a Runner, and Others
Interference on a Double Play
Obstructing a Runner
Collisions at Home Plate

11. Umpires

Basics for Umpires
Instructions to the Umpires
The Umpire-in-Chief and the Field Umpires
Tools of the Trade
Suspended and Called (Terminated) Games
Forfeits
Appeals and Protested Games
Calling Balls and Strikes
The Umpire and the Pitcher
Judgment Calls by an Umpire
If an Umpire Gets in the Way
Umpire’s Call of Obstruction
Ejections and Removals

12. The Manager and Coaches

Basics for Managers and Coaches
Manager’s and Coaches’ Job Descriptions
Before the Game
Requesting a Time Out, and Substitutes
Attempting to Reenter the Game
The Manager and the Pitcher
Protested Games

13. Misbehavior

Steroids and Other Drugs
Misbehavior and Interference
Misbehaving in the Dugout and Sidelines
If the Pitcher Misbehaves
If a Batter Misbehaves
If a Runner Misbehaves
If a Fielder Misbehaves
Misbehavior by Managers and Coaches
Ejections

14. Spectators

Basics for Spectators
Spectator Interference
Team Members and Spectators
Spectators on the Field

15. Suspended and Terminated Games

Weather: Who’s in Charge?
Regulation Games
Suspended and Terminated Games
Suspended Games: Causes and Next Steps
Rain Checks
Darkness
Field Conditions
Weather—Batting and Pitching

16. The Official Scorer

Basics for the Scorer
The Official Scorer’s Report
Starting Players, Substitutions, and Improper Batters
Box Scores
Called (Terminated) Games
Forfeits
Wild Pitches and Passed Balls
Bases on Balls (Walks)
Strikeouts
Earned Runs
Shutouts
The Winning and Losing Pitchers
Saves for Relief Pitchers
The Winning Pitcher in the All-Star Game
Base Hits
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Sacrifices
Stolen Bases
Putouts and Assists
Fielding Errors
Consecutive Streaks
Reporting the Scoring Results
Individual Championships
The Official Statistician
Statistics

Glossary
Index