# Law 4: Game Personnel (Official Baseball Rules)

Baseball · Law 4: Game Personnel · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/laws/law-4-game-personnel/)

The umpires' duties before the game: the balls, the rosin bag, the field and the lights; the field manager, the only person who may argue a call, his substitute and the coaches who assist him.

## 4.41 The Umpires

What the umpires check and hold before and during a game, from the balls to the lights.

### Test 1: The umpires' duties before and around the game balls

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## 4.42 Manager and Coaches

Who the manager is, who may argue a call, delegating duties, a substitute manager and the assistant coaches.

### Test 1: The field manager and his coaches

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- An assistant coach assists the manager and is ineligible to compete as a player. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 4.3.2)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

Sources: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026, Rule 4 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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