Law 7: Game: Beginning and Ending

The game begins when the plate umpire, the umpire-in-chief, calls 'Play'; from then the ball is alive.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.1 · recall

Each inning after the first opens with the player listed after the last one who legally completed his time at bat.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.2.2 · recall

A kick or push by anyone other than players, coaches or umpires is intentional interference: the ball is dead and the umpire awards what would have happened.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.3.1 · applied

That is unintentional interference: the ball remains alive and in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.3.2 · applied

The team at bat stations two base coaches in uniform, one in each coach's box, at first and third base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.4.1 · recall

All fielders except the catcher must be in fair territory when the ball is put in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.5 · recall

The catcher keeps both feet within the lines of his box until the pitch is released; otherwise it is a balk and runners advance.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.5.1 · recall

Upon complaint the rule is enforced strictly: a warning, an order back into the box, and removal if the coach will not go.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.4.2 · recall

With the defence in position and the first batter in the box, the umpire-in-chief calls 'Play' and the ball comes alive.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7 · recall

On complaint the umpire first warns the coach and tells him to return to the box; only a coach who refuses is removed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.4.2 · applied

Each team must always have nine eligible players in the game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.1 · recall

A pitcher must face the batter at bat until that batter is out or reaches first base, or the side is retired, unless he is hurt or ill.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.2 · recall

WBSC asks a substitute pitcher to finish only the current batter's time at bat (or the inning), unless he is injured or ill.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.2 · applied

A runner may not be replaced by a player who is or has been in that game's batting order; courtesy runners are out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.6 · applied

A player substituting for an injured team-mate, other than the pitcher, is allowed five warm-up throws.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.8 · recall

A player once removed from a game shall not re-enter it in any capacity.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.10 · recall

A withdrawn player may sit on the bench, warm up pitchers and act as a base coach.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.9 · recall

With a multiple substitution the manager names each player's batting spot at once; the umpire records and announces the changes.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.5, 7.6.7 · recall

The umpire-in-chief directs the manager to take the player out as soon as he notices or is informed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.10 · recall

An unannounced substitute pitcher becomes a legal player when he engages the rubber; plays made by or on him are legal.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.6.7.2 · applied

A regulation game is six, seven or nine innings; Appendix 1 sets the number for each WBSC event.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.1 · recall

Play goes on until the visitors lead at the end of a completed inning, or the home team scores the winning run.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.2 · recall

A called nine-inning game is regulation once five innings are complete.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.3.1 · recall

For six- and seven-inning games, four completed innings make a called game regulation.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.3.1 · recall

If a regulation game is called with the score tied, it becomes a suspended game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.4 · recall

A game called before it is regulation is declared 'No Game', unless Rule 7.8 makes it a suspended game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.5 · recall

If the home team is ahead when the visitors complete the last inning, the game is over without the home half.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.6.1 · applied

Four, five, six and nine.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.1, 7.7.3 · recall

Umpires wait at least 30 minutes before calling a game; a called game ends at the moment play is terminated.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 5.1, 7.7.7 · applied

A called nine-inning game is regulation if the home team, in four and a fraction half-innings, has more runs than the visitors in five.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.3.2 · applied

A curfew imposed by law is one of the reasons a game is suspended and finished later.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.8.1.1 · recall

A light failure or a fault in field equipment under the home team's control makes the game a suspended game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.8.1.3 · applied

A suspended game resumes at the exact point of suspension; its completion is a continuation of the original game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.8.2 · recall

The line-up and batting order of both teams are as they stood at the moment of suspension.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.8.2 · recall

All individual and team averages from a tie game are incorporated into the official playing record.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.9 · recall

The score of a regulation game is the total runs each team has scored at the moment the game ends.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.6 · recall

Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from being turned on, is one of the reasons for a suspended game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.8.1.4 · applied

A suspended game is completed later, starting where it stopped, as a continuation of the same game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.8.1, 7.8.2 · recall

The game ends when the visitors are ahead at the end of a completed inning.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.2.1 · recall

When the home team scores the winning run in its half of an extra inning, the game ends immediately.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.7.6.3 · applied

A team that refuses to take the field within five minutes of 'Play' forfeits, unless the delay is unavoidable.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.11.1 · recall

A game is forfeited to the opponents when a team cannot or will not put nine players on the field.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.11.6 · recall

If both teams are equally to blame, or neither has enough players, a double forfeit is declared.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.11.7 · recall

Protests are for decisions said to break the rules; no protest is allowed on a judgement call.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.12 · recall

A protest must be made at the time of the play that caused it and before any play is resumed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.12.1 · recall

If the play did not affect the outcome, no part of the game is replayed even when the protest is upheld.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.12.3 · recall

Fighting is an 'A' level infraction: a suspension of at least three games and up to two years, and a fine.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.13 · recall

The umpire-in-chief allows the protest, announces the game is under protest to managers, scorer and announcer, and records the situation.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.12.1, 7.12.2 · recall

A forfeit is a last resort, for a team that wilfully continues to violate the rules after a warning.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.11.4 · recall

Team personnel leaving their position, a base included, to take part in a confrontation commit an infraction under the fight rule.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 7.13.3 · applied