Law 6: Definition of Terms

A pitch that touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone is a ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.3 · applied

The zone runs from the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the pants down to the bottom of the kneecaps.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.78 · recall

Unlike MLB's pure judgement, the WBSC rule sets a test: a half swing is a strike if the barrel head passes the front hip.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.38 · recall

If the batter swings at a pitch that struck the ground in front of him, it is a strike if he misses and in play if he hits it.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.77.2 · applied

A foul not caught counts as a strike only while the batter has fewer than two strikes.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.77.3 · applied

An attempted bunt that goes foul and is not legally caught is a strike, whatever the count, so here it is strike three.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.77.4 · applied

A pitch in the zone that touches the batter is a strike; the ball is dead, no runner advances and he does not take first.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.77.5 · applied

Shoulders first; the upper edge of the zone next; then the waistband of the pants; the kneecaps lowest.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.78 · recall

A base on balls is also awarded when the opposing manager signals the plate umpire for an intentional walk; no pitches are needed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.6 · recall

Any part of the ball passing over the plate between the bottom of the kneecaps and the top of the zone is a strike, judged as it crosses the plate.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.77.2, 6.78 · applied

A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher while there are runners on base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.2 · recall

On a balk every runner moves up one base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.2 · recall

The battery is the pitcher and the catcher.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.10 · recall

The pivot foot is the one on the rubber as the pitch is delivered: the left foot for a left-hander, the right for a right-hander.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.66 · recall

A quick pitch is an illegal pitch with the obvious intent of catching the batter off balance.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.68 · recall

A pitch without the pivot foot on the rubber is an illegal pitch, and with runners on base an illegal pitch is a balk.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.41 · applied

A wild pitch is so high, low or wide that the catcher cannot handle it with ordinary effort; a catchable ball he misses is not one.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.88 · recall

In the set position the time of pitch is when he begins his natural motion after coming set with both hands together.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.75, 6.85.2 · recall

Within an at-bat a pitcher may notify the umpire of a switch to the windup only after a runner advances or an offensive substitution.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.75 · applied

With runners on, a pitcher standing like this is presumed to be in the set position unless he told the umpire he would use the windup.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.75 · applied

A ball that first falls on fair ground on or beyond first or third base is fair, wherever it rolls afterwards.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.26.3 · applied

A batted ball off the pitcher's rubber that rebounds untouched into foul territory between home and first or third is foul.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.34.6 · applied

A fly is judged by the position of the ball relative to the foul line, not by whether the fielder is on fair or foul ground.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.26.4 · recall

A ball that hits the top of the fence in fair territory and bounces over is a home run.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.26.6 · applied

A batted ball that hits the ground or plate and then the batter in the box is foul.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.34.5 · applied

A line drive goes sharp and direct from the bat to a fielder without touching the ground.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.51 · recall

A ball is in flight until it touches the ground or an object other than a player; an umpire is not a player.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.43 · applied

From U-15 up, the three-foot lane covers the last 45 feet to first base; the foul pole stands at the fence beyond it.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 2.1 · recall

A foul tip goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught; it is a strike and the ball stays alive.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.36 · recall

A ball that settles on foul ground between home plate and first base is foul, even if it bounced in fair territory first.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.34.1 · applied

A catch requires the fielder to hold the ball long enough to show complete control.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.15 · recall

A catch stands when a fielder ends up with secure possession, even after another fielder touched or juggled it, if no offensive player or umpire touched it.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.15 · applied

It is not a catch if the fielder is touching dead-ball territory when he makes it.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.15 · applied

An infield fly needs runners on first and second, or the bases loaded, before two are out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.45 · recall

The infield fly rule covers a fair fly, not including a line drive or an attempted bunt.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.45 · recall

If the ball is near the baselines the umpire adds 'If Fair', because its status depends on where it ends up.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.45 · recall

Ordinary effort is what a fielder of average skill at that position should do, allowing for field and weather conditions.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.57 · recall

A declared infield fly that falls outside the base line but bounces fair before passing first or third base is an infield fly.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.45 · applied

The ball stays alive; as on any fly, runners may retouch and advance once the ball has been touched.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.45 · recall

If a fielder catches the ball and drops it while attempting a throw, it is still a catch.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.15 · applied

A double play puts two offensive players out as a result of continuous action, with no error between the putouts.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.23 · recall

In a force double play both putouts are force outs; in a reverse one the first is a force and the second a tag.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.23.1 · recall

A fielder's choice is playing a fair grounder to retire another runner rather than throwing to first for the batter-runner.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.29 · applied

Defensive interference is a fielder, usually the catcher, hindering or preventing the batter from hitting a pitch.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.48.2 · recall

A pinch runner is an eligible substitute, not in the line-up, who runs for a player listed in it.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.63 · recall

A disqualified player is no longer eligible but has not been ejected, for example an injured or a substituted player.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.22 · recall

A team losing by ten or more runs after batting at least five innings ends the game; U-12 also has fifteen after four.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.71.2 · recall

A run down can end with no out, a force out is one, a double play two and a triple play three.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.72, 6.23, 6.87 · recall

The first out is a force at third; that removes the force at home, so the second out needs a tag: a reverse double play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.23.2 · applied

Obstruction is a fielder who, not holding the ball and not fielding it, impedes the progress of a runner.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 6.54 · applied