If a runner tagged up and tries to run to the next base in sequence, they are deemed out if tagged by an infielder at any point before reaching the base or the ball arrives at the base ahead of the runner. Each outfielder runs to "back up" a nearby outfielder who attempts to field a ball hit near both their positions. Some high school baseball leagues allow players to re-enter the game after they have been substituted for during game play. A designated hitter does not play in the field on defense and may remain in the game regardless of changes in pitchers. To that end, the goal of each batter is to enable baserunners to score or to become a baserunner himself. The nine positions most commonly used (with the number scorekeepers use) are: pitcher (1), catcher (2), first baseman (3), second baseman (4), third baseman (5), shortstop (6), left fielder (7), center fielder (8), and right fielder (9). In 1910, cork centers were added to balls. A batter always drops his bat when running the bases; otherwise, the bat would slow him down and could give rise to a call of interference if it were to contact the ball or a fielder. Baseball is played between two teams with nine players in the field from the team that is not batting at that point (the batting team would have one batter in play at "home plate" on the field). ��� "2�Dl�'gɾ����@�&3��r|M$eG�������:7��U4��?�|ˇH뉥o�WBP���D�������M%{j�whHo�h�R�U�r]N�.��㰛(OTϴi줍�u_B��f�,in�C���5*E�M_3�D5%�M��*?�a8j��l��H�W��z�@7Y?��� �9�� ���Pi��v�L���Q�۪}�N�V;A�~�C�
X_��>`;���=��Z�+���?>%���G���,��N�(����$5�c�G�Jv�ê����B���/Jۀ��"�A���Q�i�E#�VKx 9�R��~��fV��^x��'��v0�3�G��u�̊_� Many amateur and youth leagues use the "OBR" with only a few modifications for safety. The batter stands in one of the batter's boxes and tries to hit the ball with a bat. In baseball, the defense always has the ball—a fact that differentiates it from most other team sports. The teams switch every time the defending team gets three players of the batting team out. Modified the Role of the Defensive Player and the Designated Hitter (3-1-4) — Modifying the role of the defensive player and the designated hitter will assist coaches to strategize how to keep their better players in the game to contribute to the offensive output of the team and give another player a chance to participate on defense. The right fielder generally has the strongest arm of all the outfielders due to the need to make throws on runners attempting to take third base. 2018 NFHS BASEBALL RULES BOOK ROBERT B. GARDNER, Publisher B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA, Editor NFHS Publications To maintain the sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the National Federation of State High School Associations writes playing rules for varsity competition among student-athletes of high school age. On a field with foul poles, a ball that hits a pole is also a home run. Of all outfielders, the left fielder often has the weakest arm, as they generally do not need to throw the ball as far in order to prevent the advance of any baserunners. The pitcher, in lieu of delivering the pitch, may try to prevent this by throwing the ball to one of the infielders in order to tag the runner; if successful, it is called a pick-off. A ball hit forcefully in a fast-moving and seemingly almost straight-line trajectory is called a line drive. In 1895, foul tips were made strikes, but not foul balls. When two or more runners are on the basepaths, the runner farther along is called a lead runner or a preceding runner; any other runner is called a trailing runner or a following runner. The catcher's main role is to receive the pitch if the batter does not hit it. In this case, the batter is not out (although the pitcher is awarded a strikeout). Any player who replaces another player between innings, or while the team is in the field, is known as a "defensive replacement".
