Law 14: The Umpire

A game has an umpire-in-chief at the plate and one, two, three or five field umpires.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14 · recall

Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in the rules.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.1.2 · recall

If a player is disqualified while a play is in progress, it does not take effect until no further action is possible in that play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.1.3 · applied

Judgement calls such as ball or strike, fair or foul, safe or out are final, and no one may object to them.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.2.1 · applied

An appeal against a decision said to conflict with the rules is made only to the umpire who made the call.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.2.2 · recall

No umpire may be replaced during a game unless he is injured or becomes ill.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.2.4 · recall

Umpire jurisdiction over confrontations and unsportsmanlike conduct towards them runs from arriving at the game site to leaving it.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.1.4 · recall

The umpire who made the call may consult a colleague before ruling; no umpire criticises another's call unless asked.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.2.2, 14.2.3 · recall

Players and coaches leaving their places to argue balls and strikes are warned; if they continue, they are ejected immediately.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.2.1 · recall

Arguing balls and strikes is not allowed; an umpire may eject anyone who objects to judgement calls.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.1.3, 14.2.1 · applied

Deciding a forfeit belongs to the umpire-in-chief; field umpires have every power except that one.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.1.6 · recall

If a time limit has been set, the plate umpire announces the fact and the time before the game starts.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.1.8 · recall

The plate umpire informs the official scorer of the batting order and any changes, on request.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.1.9 · applied

The plate umpire makes all decisions on the batter, as well as calling balls and strikes.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.1.4 · recall

The umpire-in-chief calls the umpires together and decides which decision prevails, based on position and likely accuracy.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.3 · applied

The umpire reports violations and incidents to the Federation, League or WBSC office within twelve hours of the game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.4 · recall

Among his duties, the plate umpire announces any special ground rules at his discretion.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.1.10 · recall

The umpire-in-chief consults the crew, picks the decision most likely right, and play proceeds from it alone.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.3 · recall

Violations and disqualifications, with the reasons, are reported within twelve hours; flagrant offences need a full report.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.4 · recall

The umpire-in-chief, behind the catcher, calls and counts balls and strikes and takes charge of the game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.1 · applied

A field umpire may take any position he thinks best suited to the decisions on the bases.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2 · recall

A field umpire makes all decisions on the bases except those specifically reserved to the umpire-in-chief.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2.1 · recall

A field umpire has concurrent jurisdiction in calling Time, balks, illegal pitches and defacement or discolouration of the ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2.2 · recall

Field umpires have equal authority in enforcing the rules and discipline, except the power to forfeit the game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2.3 · recall

The general instructions tell umpires not to indulge in conversation with players on the field.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.5 · recall

Umpires keep out of the coaching box and do not talk to the coach on duty.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.5 · recall

Umpires are told to be courteous to team officials but to avoid visiting team locker rooms and dugouts.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.5 · recall

Decisions on the bases belong to the field umpire, who watches the tag and signals the call.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2.1 · recall

Field umpires share the calling of balks with the plate umpire; a balk is dead ball and runners advance one base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2.2, 13.10 · recall

Plays on the bases are called by the field umpires; the signal shown, both arms out, means safe.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 14.3.2.1 · applied