Law 9: Batting

A substitute takes the place of the replaced player in the batting order.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.1.2 · applied

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 · recall

It is not mandatory to designate a hitter for the pitcher.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.3 · recall

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 · recall

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 · recall

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 · recall

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 · recall

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 · applied

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 · recall

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

A runner substituted for the DH assumes the role of DH.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.6 · applied

A runner may replace the DH, but a DH may not pinch-run.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.6 · recall

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 · recall

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 · recall

The DH is 'locked' into the batting order; no multiple substitution may alter his spot.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.3.7 · recall

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 · recall

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · recall

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 · applied

A ball is called when the pitcher takes the signal from an illegal position.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.3 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · recall

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 · recall

Rushing the batter costs the pitcher, but only if the batter fails to get on.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.6.2 · recall

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · recall

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 · recall

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 · applied

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 · recall

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 · applied

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 · applied

A batter is out when his fair ball touches him before touching a fielder.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 9.10.9 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · applied

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 · recall

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 · applied