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| 1. Team members are not permitted to fraternize with fans before the game. You may have thought the players were just being rude, but before and during the game, the rules prohibit team members in uniform from “fraternizing” with fans. 2. A fielder is permitted to reach into the stands, or enter the stands, to make a catch. However, spectators are under no obligation to get out of their way. This situation has caused havoc in many past games. 3. Spectators are not permitted to reach over the railing or to enter the playing area. While the chance to bring home a souvenir is appealing, interference will be called when a fan crosses the line into the playing area and affects the play. |
4. Spectator interference is always considered intentional. Even when a spectator accidentally interferes with a play, it is treated in the same way as interference by a member of the offensive team: the ball is immediately dead, no runners may advance, and the umpire imposes awards or penalties based on what he believes would have taken place had the interference not occurred. 5. Once a thrown ball or a hit ball crosses into the stands, fans can do what they may to catch it. Spectator interference will not apply. If a ball thrown by a fielder enters the stands, Wild Throws rules apply. The ball is dead, and the batter and runners will be awarded two bases from the last base they reached at the time the thrown ball left the fielder’s hand. |
6. The number of rain delays, and their duration, is unlimited. An umpire’s duty is to try to complete a game as scheduled, whenever possible. Meanwhile, the spectators get drenched. 7. Rain checks are part of the rules. A game becomes a “regulation game” when half the game has been completed. When rain or other weather or field conditions prevent this from happening, rain checks will be issued to the spectators.
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Baseball Field Guide Copyright 2009 |
