Rule 7 Play Situations

1. B8 erroneously bats in place of B7 and receives a base on balls. B7 then comes up to bat and takes ball 1. At this point, it is discovered that B7 should have batted instead of B8. B8 is called out on the play. Correct? FALSE. After the first pitch was thrown to B7, B8 became the proper batter in place of B7. B9, who was the next proper batter will be called out, with B1 coming to the plate as the next proper batter.

2. B5 is scheduled to bat, but B7 enters the batters’ box. With a count of 3 balls, 2 strikes on B7, the error is discovered. B5 is placed in the batters’ box with a 3 ball, 2 strike count. True.

3. B2 has a 2 ball, 1 strike count against her. B2 clearly fouls off a pitch which she thinks has hit her in the hand. As she is getting ready to take her base, Mr. Huling calls B2 back to the box to finish her time at bat. At this point, B2 compliments Mr. Huling on his 20/20 eyesight and is subsequently ejected from the contest. B2 is called out and B3 is the next batter? FALSE. After a lengthy and heated discussion with team B’s coaching staff, B2 will be replaced, and her substitute will assume a 2-2 count. (A situation similar to this happened in the Wisconsin/Ohio State game this past weekend).

4. R1 is on 2nd base when B3 bats out of order. B3 singles and stops at first base as R1 scores. At this point, it is discovered that B3 batted out of order. The B3 is called out with B4 next coming to bat and R1 being returned to 2nd. FALSE. B2 is called out, and B3 bats again with R1 being returned to 2nd base.

5. B10 who is playing shortstop enters the batting order for B4 who was the DH. After her time at bat, B10 continues to play shortstop. In a subsequent inning, B4 comes up to bat. Legal? FALSE. Once B10 has batted for the DH and remains on defense, the DH has been eliminated for the remainder of the game, as both B10 and B4 have already used their re-entries when they changed status. In addition, if a sub is brought in for B10, B10 can no longer re-enter the game as she has already re-entered.

6. As F1 starts her pitch, B1 requests time by either stepping out of the box or putting her hands up. The pitcher continues her delivery. The umpire calls a strike on B1. True. In the same situation, if F1 would not of delivered a pitch, the umpire should declare “no pitch.”

7. B5 strides forward when making contact with a pitched ball. When she makes contact with the ball, half of her foot is outside of the batter’s box with her heel remaining on the line. B5 should be called out for being out of the batter’s box? FALSE. B5’s foot must be COMPLETELY outside of the box in order for her to be called out. If the foot is airborne at the moment of contact and then lands outside of the box, then the play is legal.

8. B1 swings, and after laying down the bat and running to first, the ball hits the bat in fair territory. B1 should be called out for interference. FALSE. The ball is live and the play stands.

9. B7 lays down a bunt in front of home plate. As B7 disposes of her bat on the way to first, the bat hits the ball. The ball is dead immediately and B7 is called out. True.

In 8 & 9, the an easy way to remember how to call these 2 plays correct:

  • Ball hits bat = you have nothing
  • Bat hits ball = interference, batter is out!

Other important points:

A strike is called on the batter when:

  • A ball passes through the strike zone and is not struck at by the batter
  • A pitched ball is struck at and missed by the batter
  • A penalty strike is called because the batter delays
  • A batted ball contacts the batter in the batter’s box (foul ball)
  • A pitched ball is prevented from entering the strike zone by the batter
  • When a member of the offensive team intentionally removes a line.

Rule 7-3-1: A batter shall not delay the game by failing to promptly taking her position in the batter’s box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher, or by stepping out of the batter’s box when the pitcher is on the pitcher’s plate. A penalty strike shall be called. If it is strike 3, the umpire shall call time and declare the batter out.

The batter is out when:

  • A team playing with one less than the starting number in the batting order and her turn to bat is reached
  • The batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat or it is discovered that an illegal bat was used before the next pitch has been delivered.
  • The batter switches batters boxes when the pitcher is ready to pitch.
  • Strike 3 is not caught with less than 2 outs and 1st base is occupied
  • A bunt on strike 3 is foul.
  • The batter interferes with the catcher fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box, leaning over home plate, or otherwise hindering action at home plate while the catcher is attempting to play on a runner.