Baseball Rules & Regulations Quiz

Hit by Pitch and Catcher's Interference

• If a pitched ball hits any part of the batter's body, the batter is awarded first base, unless ruled intentional.
• If the batter's bat makes contact with the catcher while attempting to swing at a pitch, the batter is awarded first base (catcher's interference).

Dropped Third Strike

• If the batter swings and misses at a pitched ball for the third strike, but the catcher drops the ball or it bounces away, the batter may run to first base.

Fielder's Choice

• If the batter hits the ball into play and the defense chooses to tag or force-out another base runner instead of the batter, it's considered a fielder's choice.

Substitutions and Time Outs

• Teams are allowed 2 substitutions per inning.
• A time out can be called to discuss strategy or respond to an injured player.

Serious Offenses and Misconducts

• Assaulting an opposing player is considered a serious offense.
• Disrespecting officials is also considered a serious offense.

Overtime

• In case of a tie, each team is given 1 inning to break the tie.

Team Composition and Duration

• Each team consists of 9 players: Pitcher, Catcher, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Basemen, Short Stopper, Right, Left, and Center Fielders.
• The game consists of 7 innings.

Coin Toss and Play Ball

• The game starts with a coin toss to determine which team plays offense or defense first.
• The umpire announces "Play Ball" to start the game.

Ball in and Out of Play

• A ball is considered in play if it lands on the safe zone or within the 90-degree foul line.
• A ball is considered out of play if it lands outside the safe zone or outside the foul line.

Defensive Plays

• A strike is awarded when the pitcher throws the ball in the strike zone, even if the batter did not swing.
• A strike is also awarded when the batter swings but is unable to hit the pitched ball.

Ways to Get Out

• A player is out when they miss 3 strikes (strike out).
• A player is out when they do not reach the base before the opposing fielder does (force out).
• A player is out when they hit the ball in the air and a defensive player catches it before it hits the ground (catch).
• A player is out when they are touched by a defensive player with the ball or a glove with the ball in it (tag out).

Offensive Plays

• The batter must safely go around the diamond in a counter-clockwise direction, finishing in the home plate (run).

Ways to Reach Bases Safely

• A batter can reach bases safely by hitting the pitched ball into fair territory, reaching bases before the defense makes a force play, and a tag.
• A batter can also reach bases safely if the pitcher throws four pitches out of the strike zone and the batter did not swing (base on balls).

Test your knowledge of baseball rules and regulations including team composition, game duration, and defensive plays. Learn about key aspects such as the number of players per team, innings, and in-play/out-of-play rulings.