OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES

3.01 (1.09) The BallRule 3.01 to 3.023.00–EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMSThe ball shall be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a smallcore of cork, rubber or similar material, covered with two strips ofwhite horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. It shall weighnot less than five nor more than 5¼ ounces avoirdupois and measurenot less than nine nor more than 9¼ inches in circumference.(3.02) No player shall intentionally discolor or damage the ball byrubbing it with soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sand-paper, emerypaperor other foreign substance.PENALTY: The umpire shall demand the ball and removethe offender from the game. In addition, the offendershall be suspended automatically for 10 games. For rulesin regard to a pitcher defacing the ball, see Rules6.02(c)(2) through (6) (Rules 8.02(a)(2) through (6)).Rule 3.01 Comment (Rule 5.02 Comment): Should a ball comepar tially apart in a game, it is in play until the play is completed.3.02 (1.10) The Bat(a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.NOTE: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used ina professional game (either championship season or exhibitiongames) until the manufacturer has secured approvalfrom the Rules Committee of his design and methods ofmanufacture.(b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to 1¼inches in depth is permitted and may be no wider than twoinches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentationmust be curved with no foreign substance added.(c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, maybe covered or treated with any material or substance. Any suchmaterial or substance that extends past the 18-inch limitationshall cause the bat to be removed from the game.5