Law 4: Game Personnel

The umpires receive the balls from the home team or the LOC, inspect them and are the sole judges of which balls are used.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.3 · recall

New balls are rubbed to take the gloss off, and the umpires inspect them before play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.3 · recall

At least one dozen regulation balls must be held in reserve in case they are needed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.4 · recall

The plate umpire should have at least two balls on him, with a supply ready to replenish them.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.5 · recall

A new ball comes in when one leaves the field or goes into the stands, becomes unfit, or the pitcher asks for one.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.5 · recall

An official rosin bag goes on the ground behind the pitcher's rubber before every game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.6 · recall

The plate umpire orders the lights on when he judges darkness makes play dangerous, if possible at the top of an inning.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.8, 4.1.9 · applied

The umpire gives a new ball only after the play is over, and play resumes once the runners are on the bases they are entitled to.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.5 · applied

Two balls in hand, the meeting ten minutes before the start, twelve balls in reserve, and the field cleared of delegation staff sixty minutes before.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 5.5 · recall

After a home run out of the playing area, no new ball goes to the pitcher or catcher until the batter who hit it has crossed the plate.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.1.5 · applied

Only the field manager may argue, challenge or protest a call; coaches and team delegates may not.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.3 · recall

The manager is appointed by the federation or team and confirmed at the Tournament Technical Meeting or by the league.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.1 · recall

Actions of a designated representative are official, but the manager always remains responsible for the team.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.2 · applied

An ejected manager designates a coach or player, who then has all the manager's responsibilities.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.4 · applied

If the manager fails or refuses to designate a substitute, the crew chief designates a team member.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.5 · applied

An assistant coach assists the manager and is ineligible to compete as a player.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.3.2 · recall

No coach or team delegate may argue, challenge or protest a call on the field, unless appointed by an ejected or absent manager.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.3.3 · applied

The sequence ends with one team member in charge of everything the manager used to do.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.4, 4.2.5 · applied

The manager advises the crew chief of the delegation, and from then on the designated person's actions are official.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.2.2 · recall

Assistant coaches may not leave their position, the dugout or the bullpen to appeal any play on the field.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.3.2 · applied