OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES

Rule 5.05(2) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attemptingto hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when ittouches the batter, or (B) The batter makes no attempt toavoid being touched by the ball;(2) If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter,it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries toavoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone whenit touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makesno attempt to avoid being touched.APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by apitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, theball is dead and no runner may advance.(3) The catcher or any fielder interferes with him. If a playfollows the interference, the manager of the offense mayadvise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interferencepenalty and accept the play. Such election shallbe made immediately at the end of the play. However, ifthe batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base onballs, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runnersadvance at least one base, the play proceeds without referenceto the interference.Rule 5.05(b)(3) Comment (Rule 6.08(c) Comment): Ifcatcher’s interference is called with a play in progress theumpire will allow the play to continue because the managermay elect to take the play. If the batter-runner missed first base,or a runner misses his next base, he shall be considered as havingreached the base, as stated in Note of Rule 5.06(e)(4) (Rule7.04(d)).Examples of plays the manager might elect to take:1. Runner on third, one out, batter hits fly ball to the outfieldon which the runner scores but catcher’s interferencewas called. The offensive manager may elect totake the run and have batter called out or have runnerremain at third and batter awarded first base.2. Runner on second base. Catcher interferes with batter ashe bunts ball fairly sending runner to third base. The24