# Law 10: Base Running (Official Baseball Rules)

Baseball · Law 10: Base Running · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/laws/law-10-base-running/)

The order of the bases, how a batter becomes a runner, the right to a base, two runners on one base, bases awarded for fielders' acts and balls out of play, the slide rule, and the ways a runner is out.

## 10.101 Becoming a Runner

The order of the bases, fair hits, dropped third strikes, ground-rule awards and other ways to reach base.

### Test 1: The order of the bases and becoming a runner

- Advancing, a runner touches first, second, third and home in order; when obliged to return with the ball in play, he retouches them in reverse. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.1)
- The batter becomes a base runner immediately after he makes a fair hit. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.1)
- A fair fly deflected by a fielder into the stands or over the fence in foul territory entitles the batter to second base. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.9)
- A fair ball that bounds into the stands after touching the ground entitles the batter and runners to two bases. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.6)
- A fair ball that passes through or under a fence, or sticks in it, entitles the batter and the runners to two bases. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.7)
- Deflected over in fair territory, the fly is still a home run, as long as it passes the 250 ft mark. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.9)
- If the pitch is ball four, the batter is awarded first base and credited with being hit by the pitch; the ball is dead. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.11.2)
- Returning, a runner retouches the bases in reverse order. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.1)
- A batter who does not run on an uncaught third strike is declared out once he leaves the dirt circle round home plate. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.2)
- A fair fly that leaves the field at less than 250 ft (76.2 m) from home plate gives the batter second base only. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.5)

### Test 2: More ways to reach base

- On an uncaught third strike the batter becomes a runner if first base is empty, or if it is occupied with two out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.2)
- A pitch that touches the ground and then the batter still entitles him to first base. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.3)
- WBSC calls it a strike when the batter moves to get hit on purpose, wherever the pitch is, and he is not awarded first base. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.11.1)
- A fair ball that touches an umpire or runner after passing a fielder other than the pitcher stays in play. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.4)
- If a defensive player interferes with the swing or prevents the batter from striking at a pitch, he becomes a runner with first base. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.12)
- The batter becomes a runner after four balls are called or when he is awarded an intentional base on balls. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.10)
- When a fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territory before touching a fielder, the batter becomes a runner. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.13)
- One base for a pitch out of play, two for a bounding fair ball into the stands, three for a thrown glove, four for a home run. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7)
- A swung third strike on a bounced pitch cannot be caught, so the batter can run and must be put out like any batter-runner. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.3)
- The catcher dropped it with first base free, so the batter must still be put out; he is not out yet. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.2.2)

## 10.102 Bases and Awards

Holding a base, two runners on one base, thrown gloves and caps, balls out of play and dead-ball awards.

### Test 1: Holding a base, and bases awarded

- A runner acquires the right to an unoccupied base by touching it before he is out; he holds it until he is out or forced off. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.3.1)
- A glove deliberately thrown at a fair ball and touching it gives three bases; the ball is in play and the batter may try for home at his own risk. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.3)
- Deliberately touching a thrown ball with a detached cap, mask or part of the uniform gives two bases; the ball stays in play. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.4)
- There is no penalty when a glove flies off in an obvious effort to make a play, or is knocked off by the ball. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.5)
- A thrown ball into the stands or a bench, or over or under a fence, gives two bases; the ball is dead. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.7)
- A pitched ball that goes into the stands, a bench or through or over a fence or backstop gives one base; the ball is dead. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.8)
- When the catcher or a fielder interferes with the batter during a steal attempt, the runner advances without liability to be put out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.5)
- Three bases are awarded but the ball is live, so the batter-runner may go on towards home at his own risk. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.3)
- One base, two bases, three bases, and a home run for a ball that would have left the field in flight. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7)
- Throwing a glove at a fair ball and touching it gives three bases; the ball remains in play. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.7.3)

### Test 2: Two runners on a base and dead-ball awards

- Two runners may not occupy a base; when both are tagged, the following runner is out and the preceding one keeps the base. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.3.2)
- When the following runner is forced to that base, he is entitled to it and the preceding runner is out when tagged. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4)
- On a balk the ball is dead and every runner advances one base. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.5.3)
- When a ball is illegally batted, the ball is dead and runners return. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.5.4)
- Any legal pitch that touches a runner trying to score makes the ball dead and runners advance. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.5.8)
- A foul tip off the umpire is dead and cannot be caught for an out, even if a fielder catches the rebound. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.5.7)
- A pitched ball deliberately touched with a detached cap, mask or part of the uniform: the ball is in play and runners advance from where they were. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.4.6)
- No force here: the earlier runner keeps third, the later one is tagged out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.3.2)
- Both runners move up together: second to third, first to second. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.5.3)
- Third base belonged to the runner who was there first. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.3.2)

## 10.103 Slides and Outs

The bona fide slide, the base path, passing runners, coaches and other outs.

### Test 1: The slide rule and outs on the bases

- A bona fide slide begins before the base, aims to reach and stay on it, and stays within reach without changing course to hit a fielder. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.6)
- A runner who runs more than three feet from his base path to avoid a tag is out, unless avoiding a fielder fielding a batted ball. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.1)
- After touching first, obviously abandoning the effort to touch the next base makes the runner out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.2)
- A batter-runner who overruns or overslides first and returns at once, with no attempt to advance, cannot be tagged out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.4)
- A runner who passes a preceding runner before that runner is out is himself out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.9)
- Running the bases in reverse order to confuse the defence or make a travesty of the game: Time is called and the runner is out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.10)
- The runner on third is declared out for his coach's interference. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.15)
- Once a forced runner touches the base he was forced to, the force is removed; overrunning it, he must be tagged to be put out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.6)
- Each condition of the slide rule has to be met; a slide that meets them is legal even if contact follows. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.6)
- A coach who touches or holds a runner and physically helps him return to or leave a base causes that runner to be out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.14)

### Test 2: More ways a runner is out

- A runner is out when a member of his team, other than a runner, hinders a fielder's attempt to field a thrown ball in a play on him. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.13)
- A runner touched by a fair ball before it goes through or by an infielder is out; the ball is dead and only forced runners advance. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.7)
- A runner touching his base when hit by an Infield Fly is not out, although the batter is out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.7)
- A batter-runner whose thrown bat interferes with a defensive player making a play is out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.16)
- Deliberately knocking the ball from a fielder's hand makes the runner out and the ball immediately dead. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.17)
- A batter or runner just put out who interferes with a play being made on a runner causes that runner to be out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.18)
- If the runner makes no attempt to return, he is out when a fielder holding the ball touches home plate and appeals. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.12)
- The catcher need not chase him: touching home with the ball and appealing is enough when the runner does not try to return. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.12)
- Straight back, no feint towards second: that is what keeps him safe. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.7.4)
- A runner who does not make a bona fide slide and initiates contact to break up a double play is called for interference. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 10.6)

Sources: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026, Rule 10 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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