Rule Differences

 

FED NCAA OBR
Balk is immediate dead ball Balk is delayed dead ball Balk is delayed dead ball
Offensive conferences: 1 per inning; do not accumulate Offensive conferences: 3 per game; 1 every three extra innings; carry over Offensive conferences: No limit
Defensive conferences: 3 per game; 1 for each extra innings; do not accumulate Defensive conferences: 3 per game; 1 for extra innings(1/game); carry over; on 2nd in inning, remove pitcher Defensive conferences: Must remove pitcher (from game) on second visit in inning
Pitcher cannot throw to base from wind-up Pitcher can throw to base from wind-up Pitcher can throw to base from wind-up
Collision rule: If fielder is waiting to make play, must legally attempt to avoid (get down, go around, give up) Collision rule: If avoidable (could reach base without collision) OR attempt to dislodge ball, runner is out. Also, eject if flagrant (No collision rule)
If fielder not in possession of thrown ball or waiting to make an imminent play, obstruction If fielder not in possession of thrown ball, obstruction (new this year) If fielder not in possession of thrown ball or waiting to make an imminent play, obstruction
Play does not cancel right to appeal Play initiated by defense does not cancel right to appeal Play cancels right to appeal
Need not pitch on intentional walk Must pitch on intentional walk Must pitch on intentional walk
All starters, including DH, can re-enter No reentry No reentry
DH for any player P/DH; 9-10-9;10-9-10; must have two new defensive players to specify batting order DH for pitcher only
BOOT: Outs on play stand; other runners return BOOT: All runners return; outs do not stand BOOT: All runners return; outs do not stand
(No rule after HR) After HR, bench players must remain of dirt circle; warn, then eject (No HR rule)
Cannot throw from DBT (both feet); unintentional catch-and-carry is one-base award Can throw from DBT, if ground rules allow; otherwise return to LBR first. If go over fence, award one base Can throw from DBT, if ground rules allow; otherwise return to LBR first. If go over fence, award one base
DBT lines are in play; can make catch while touching LBT with any part of body DBT lines are in play; must make catch before touching DBT with any part of body DBT lines are out of play; must make catch before touching DBT with any part of body (except dugout)
Need not appeal check swing if asked (but it’s good practice to appeal) Must appeal check swing if asked Must appeal check swing if asked
Batter must stay in box, except … if leaves box and delays game, charge strike Batter must stay in box, except … if leaves box, must stay on dirt if ball is live (No batter’s box rule)
Pitch touched with displaced equipment: two bases Pitch touched with displaced equipment: one base Pitch touched with displaced equipment: one base
FPSR FPSR (No FPSR)
Runner hit with batted ball out if ball has not passed fielders (“string” theory) – (but, see 2001 interps #13) Runner hit with batted ball out if any infielder has chance to field ball Runner hit with batted ball out unless ball has passed immediately by a fielder and no other fielder has play
(No rule on multiple appeals) Must announce multiple appeals in advance Need not announce multiple appeals in advance
Malicious contact supercedes obstruction Malicious contact does not supercede obstruction; penalize both (No malicious contact rule)
Third-first pick-off: Need not disengage before throw to first (must disengage before feint to first) Third-first pick-off: Must disengage before throw to first; penalty: balk Third-first pick-off: Must disengage before throw to first; penalty: balk
Pitcher can go to mouth on dirt (not rubber) if wipes off fingers; Penalty: dead ball, eject if continues Pitcher can go to mouth on dirt (not rubber) if wipes off fingers; Penalty: Ball Pitcher cannot go to mouth on dirt; Penalty: ball
Pitcher can wear batting glove, if judged to be non-distracting by umpire Pitcher cannot wear batting glove Pitcher cannot wear batting glove
Hidden ball trick – pitcher must not be within 5 feet of rubber Hidden ball trick – pitcher must be off dirt area Hidden ball trick – pitcher must not be “on or astride rubber”
Courtesy runner allowed for F1, F2 – not same person for each; not previously in game; cannot then enter on offense in that half-inning No courtesy runner No courtesy runner
Coach can make verbal appeal with “relaxed action;” player can make verbal appeal when ball is dead No verbal appeals No verbal appeals

See the printable document.