Law 8: Ball in Play

A thrown ball that accidentally strikes a coach in foul territory, or a pitched or thrown ball that hits an umpire, remains in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.1 · applied

Umpires are part of the field: a pitch or throw off one does not stop play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.1 · applied

Once a fair ball has passed all the infielders, touching a runner does not make him out and the ball stays in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.2 · applied

A fly that touches a runner or umpire in flight is treated as a ground ball and cannot be caught for a fly-ball out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.2 · applied

If the live ball comes apart, it is in play until the action is completed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.7 · recall

If a pitched ball hits a bird or other animal on the field, the pitch is nullified and play resumes with the previous count.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.8 · applied

If a detached batting helmet is accidentally hit by a live ball, the ball remains in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.6 · recall

After a legal catch the fielder goes over the fence: the ball is dead, the batter is out and, unless it was the third out, runners advance one base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.5 · applied

Passing the infield is what matters: after that, contact with a runner makes no out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.2 · recall

After a legal catch, a fielder who steps or falls into a dead-ball area makes the ball dead; the batter is out and each runner advances one base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.1.3 · applied

On an uncaught foul the ball is dead, runners return, and play is not resumed until all of them have retouched their bases.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.1 · recall

An unintentional backswing that hits the catcher is just a strike; the ball is dead and no runner may advance.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.4 · applied

A runner touched by a fair ball before it touches or passes an infielder is out, and no other runner advances unless forced.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.5 · applied

A pitch that touches the batter or his clothing in the legal batting position is a dead ball; runners advance if forced.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.4.2 · applied

A pitch that lodges in the umpire's or catcher's equipment (other than the catcher's glove) is a dead ball, and runners advance one base.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.4.4 · applied

When an opponent interferes with a fielder reaching into a dugout or dead-ball area for a foul fly, the batter is out and no runner advances.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.9 · applied

Intentional interference with a ball using a helmet or other equipment: the ball is dead, the runner is out and runners ahead return.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.8 · applied

Runners return on an uncaught foul, and the umpire waits for them all to retouch before putting the ball in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.1 · recall

Plate umpire interference with the catcher's throw is a delayed dead ball and runners may not advance, unless the throw retires the runner.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.3.1 · applied

A fair ball that touches an umpire before touching a fielder, and before passing one other than the pitcher, is dead; the batter gets a single.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.2.6 · applied

When an umpire calls 'Time' play is suspended; between 'Time' and 'Play' the ball is dead.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5.1 · recall

Apart from light failure and an accident that incapacitates a player or umpire, no umpire calls 'Time' during a play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5.2.9 · recall

If an injury happens during a live ball, 'Time' is not called until no further advance or putout is possible.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5.2.10 · applied

If an accident stops a runner reaching a base he is entitled to, as on a home run out of the park, a substitute runner completes the play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5.2.4 · applied

Play resumes when the pitcher takes his place on the pitcher's plate with the ball and the plate umpire calls 'Play'.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5 · recall

Taking a position in the batter's line of vision and deliberately acting to distract him is unsportsmanlike conduct.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.6.5 · applied

The umpire-in-chief calls 'Time' when a manager requests it for a substitution or a conference with a player.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5.2.5 · recall

The ball is dead from 'Time' until the plate umpire calls 'Play' with the pitcher on the rubber holding the ball.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5 · recall

The injured player waits: the umpire lets the play finish first.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.5.2.10 · recall

Calling 'Time' to make the pitcher balk is unsportsmanlike: the offender is removed from the game and any balk is disregarded.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 8.6.2 · applied