Baseball Rules and Illegal Equipment: Impact on Gameplay

A throat protector is not required on a catcher's hockey style mask TRUE

Youth batters are required to wear NOCAE approved batting helmets with chinstraps FALSE

Legal bats from 2013 are grandfathered in as legal for 2014 FALSE

Bats on the approved bat list are legal regardless of whether they have the new USSSA bat stamp FALSE

The batter is out if discovered in the batter s box with an illegal bat FALSE

3 Ball 2 Strike count Batter hits a ground foul ball, the next pitch is a ball. It is discovered that batter used an illegal bat Batter is awarded 1st Base TRUE

Amy is on 3rd Base Betty is on 1st Base Cathy hit a ground ball with an illegal bat Amy scores Betty is forced at 2nd Base Cathy is safe at 1st

Before the next pitch, it is discovered that Cathy used an illegal bat Amy s run counts FALSE

Before the next pitch, it is discovered that Cathy used an illegal bat Betty s out stands TRUE

Before the next pitch, it is discovered that Cathy used an illegal bat Cathy is out TRUE

After an illegal pitch, it is discovered that Cathy used an illegal bat Cathy is out FALSE

Since this occurred after a team warning for using an illegal bat, Cathy is restricted to the bench and the coach is ejected. TRUE

The ball may be optic yellow or white. FALSE

14U players are allowed to wear metal cleats. TRUE

In age groups that do not allow Metal Cleat, the Penalty for wearing metal cleats is ejection. FALSE First Offense: Team Subsequent First Offense: Team Warning Subsequent Offense: Player Restricted to Dugout; Coach Ejected. Warning Offense: Player Restricted to Dugout; Coach Ejected.

Unadorned bobby pins less than 2" in length are legal. TRUE

The pitcher may wear a first baseman's mitt. TRUE

Optic Yellow manufacturer's logo on the pitcher's glove is legal. TRUE

The new bat standards will go into effect January 1, 2014. TRUE

It is legal to warm up with one bat with a donut securely attached. FALSE Nothing such as a donut or fan may be used. Nothing such as a donut or fan may be used.

The third baseman reaches across the foul line and drops a fly ball which is completely in foul territory. She has both feet in fair territory. This is a fair ball. FALSE Position of the ball determines Foul. Position of the ball determines Foul.

A fly ball which is in foul territory when a base runner in foul territory interferes with a defensive player's attempt to field. Dead Ball; Runner out; Foul ball. TRUE

With the batter up in the box, the batter bunts the ball and it hits her foot in the batter's box completely in fair territory, it is a foul ball. TRUE

A batted ball hits in the infield; bounces over third base and hits in foul territory. This is a fair ball. TRUE

A batted ball hits in the outfield in fair territory and bounces over the outfield fence to the foul side of the foul pole. This is a foul ball. FALSE First touched fair. First touched fair.

After a team warning, a player is wearing jewelry. The team is playing with nine players. The team may continue and play short. TRUE Player is restricted to the bench Player is restricted to the bench

A player deliberately throws her bat. The team is playing with nine players. The team may continue and play short. FALSE Team may not play short on ejection. Team may not play short on ejection.

With two outs, the defensive may walk the batter preceding the absent player to record an automatic out. TRUE

A team has only 9 players Betty strikes out. Cathy gets a hit and injures herself sliding into 2nd base and cannot continue Betty can replace Cathy at 2nd base TRUE

A team is playing short handed in the bottom of the 7th inning Betty Strikes out Cathy gets a hit and is injured sliding into second base Betty can replace Cathy at 2nd base FALSE

A team starts with 2 APs and no substitutes Amy and Betty get hurt and must leave the game Since the team can fill the 9 defensive positions, the game can continue FALSE

A team may begin with 8 players and an automatic out in the ninth position TRUE

If a team is playing short and an eligible substitute arrive, she must immediately enter the game. TRUE

The FLEX player must be listed in the 10th spot (or 11th/12th spot if using AP) on the line up card. TRUE

If the FLEX player has re- entered and is out of the game again, the FLEX position can not be reestablished. FALSE The FLEX position can be re The FLEX position can be re- -established by a substitute for the FLEX player. established by a substitute for the FLEX player.

If the FLEX player bats, the role of the DP is suspended but can be re- established. TRUE

The DP/Flex must be declared before the start of the game TRUE

The DP must be listed as one of the offensive players and is out of the game if not playing offense TRUE

While not using any APs, the Flex is out of the game if not playing defense TRUE

Only one (either DP or Flex) may play offense at a time, and only in the DPs starting position TRUE

The DP and Flex may not play defense at the same time FALSE

The DP or Flex may play both defense and offense TRUE

The Flex may run for a player other than the DP if the player is injured and there are no available substitutes FALSE

The DP can play defense for any of the other players in the lineup. So both the DP and the FLEX can be on defense at the same time. TRUE

The FLEX can play offense for any of the other players in the lineup. So both the DP and the FLEX can be on offense at the same time. FALSE Placing the FLEX into one of the batting positions for someone other than the DP s position is considered an illegal substitution. Placing the FLEX into one of the batting positions for someone other than the DP s position is considered an illegal substitution.