# Law 9: Batting (Official Baseball Rules)

Baseball · Law 9: Batting · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/laws/law-9-batting/)

The batting order, the designated hitter and when that role ends, the batter's box rule, calls of a ball, illegal actions by the batter, batting out of turn, catcher interference, and the ways a batter is out.

## 9.91 Batting Order and the Designated Hitter

Who bats where, choosing and replacing the DH, and the moves that end the DH for the game.

### Test 1: The batting order and the designated hitter

- A substitute takes the place of the replaced player in the batting order. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.1.2)
- A batter stays a batter until the umpire declares him out or he becomes a batter-runner. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.2)
- It is not mandatory to designate a hitter for the pitcher. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.3)
- A DH must be selected before the game and included on the starting line-up cards handed to the umpire-in-chief. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.1)
- The starting DH must come to bat once, unless the opponents change pitchers or he becomes ill or injured before his spot comes up. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.2)
- A starting pitcher listed in the batting order automatically becomes the DH too and counts as two players, the P/DH. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.3)
- Any substitute hitter for a DH becomes the DH; the replaced DH may not re-enter in any role. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.4)
- If the team has already taken the field, the listed player who has not taken a defensive position is the DH. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.11)
- A substitute hitter for the DH becomes the DH, and the replaced DH cannot come back in any capacity. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.4)
- The DH may play defence and keeps his own batting spot; the pitcher then bats in the place of the replaced fielder. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.5)

### Test 2: When the designated hitter role ends

- Switching the game pitcher from the mound to a defensive position ends the DH role for that team for the rest of the game. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.8)
- A player on defence going to the mound ends the DH role, and the DH may take that player's defensive position. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.14)
- A runner substituted for the DH assumes the role of DH. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.6)
- A runner may replace the DH, but a DH may not pinch-run. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.6)
- The game pitcher may pinch-hit or pinch-run only for the DH, becoming the P/DH. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.10)
- A substitute for the DH need not be announced until it is the DH's turn to bat. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.13)
- The DH is 'locked' into the batting order; no multiple substitution may alter his spot. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.7)
- Replaced as DH, the P/DH may stay on as pitcher, but cannot move to another position or come back as DH. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.14)
- A fielder replacing the pitcher ends the DH role for the remainder of the game; the DH may take that fielder's position. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.14)
- When a pinch-hitter for any player then enters the game to pitch, the team loses the DH for the rest of the game. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.9)

## 9.92 The Batter's Box

Staying in the box between pitches, its exceptions, and pitches called a ball.

### Test 1: The batter's box and calls of a ball

- A batter may not leave the box after the pitcher is set or starts his windup; if the pitcher pitches, the umpire calls ball or strike. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.4.2)
- The batter must keep one foot in the box between pitches, except in listed cases such as when time has been called. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.5.1.7)
- On a three-ball count, a batter who thinks the pitch was a ball may step out; it is one of the exceptions. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.5.1.9)
- A ball is called when the pitcher takes the signal from an illegal position. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.3)
- When the pitcher fails to begin his motion within 20 seconds under the clock rule, the umpire calls a ball. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.4)
- A quick return pitch with the bases unoccupied is called a ball, unless the batter reaches base safely. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.2)
- With time granted for a substitution, a conference or an injury, the batter may leave the box and the dirt area. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.5.2)
- The plate umpire calls 'Dead ball', points to the box, says 'Batter's box violation', awards a strike and gives the new count. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.5.1)
- Rushing the batter costs the pitcher, but only if the batter fails to get on. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.2)
- Failing to keep one foot in the box between pitches, outside the listed exceptions, costs the batter a strike. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.5.1)

## 9.93 Illegal Action and Out of Turn

Illegal batting, an altered bat, batting out of turn and catcher interference.

### Test 1: Illegal action, batting out of turn and catcher interference

- A batter who hits the ball with a foot on the ground entirely outside the box is out for illegal action. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.7.1)
- Stepping from one box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch makes the batter out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.7.3)
- On a timely appeal the proper batter is declared out and any advance from the improper batter's hit is cancelled. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.8.3)
- The proper batter may take over before the improper one is out or on base, and the balls and strikes carry over. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.8.2)
- Once a pitch is made to the next batter without an appeal, the improper batter becomes the proper batter and his result stands. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.8.5)
- Advances on a stolen base, balk, wild pitch or passed ball while an improper batter is up are legal. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.8.4)
- Catcher interference gives the batter first base; if a play follows, the offensive manager may decline the penalty and keep the play. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.9)
- The appeal comes in time, so the hit is wiped out and the player who missed his turn pays for it. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.8.3)
- The offensive manager chooses immediately at the end of the play: the interference penalty or the result of the play. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.9)
- Hitting with an altered bat makes the batter out; no advance caused by the bat is allowed, and outs on the play stand. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.7.2)

## 9.94 When the Batter Is Out

Third strikes, balls hit twice, intentional drops, the three-foot lane and interference by team-mates.

### Test 1: When the batter is out

- A batter is out when the catcher catches a called, swinging or foul-tip third strike. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.2)
- With first base occupied and fewer than two out, three strikes make the batter out even if the catcher drops the ball. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.3)
- If the bat hits a fair ball a second time in fair territory, the batter is out, the ball is dead and no runner advances. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.5)
- A batter is out when his fair ball touches him before touching a fielder. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.9)
- An infielder intentionally dropping a fair fly or line drive with first occupied before two out makes the batter out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.12)
- With two out, the umpire calls strike three: the batter is out and the run does not score. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.14)
- A batter is out when a member of his team other than a runner hinders a fielder's attempt to field a batted ball. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.15)
- With fewer than two out the run is not taken away, though the ball is dead. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.14)
- After a fair ball, the batter is out if he or first base is tagged before he touches first. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.4)
- In the last half of the way to first, running inside the foul line and interfering with the fielder taking the throw makes the batter out. (Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.11)

Sources: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026, Rule 9 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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