| These are only Highlights please check you new rule book for complete details. (If you can find one) New Rule for 2007 1:Pitcher's Gloves - Rules 1.15(a) Pitcher may wear multi-coloured glove Glove may not be white or gray Glove may not be distracting in the umpire's judgment A glove that does not conform to this rule is to be removed from the game (no further penalty applies) 2:Pitcher is automatically ejected for violation of any part of 8.02 (a)2-6 A warning may be issued, instead of ejection, at the umpire's discretion if the pitcher's actions were not intended to alter the characteristics of the pitched ball The warning option applies only to violation of 8.02(a)2-3 which relate to rubbing the ball and spitting. After warning, the pitcher will be ejected for persistent violation of the rule. The penalty is now consistent with the penalty in Rule 3.02, which prohibits any player from intentionally damaging the ball. 3:Suspended Games - Rules 4.10/4.11/4.12 A regulation game called with the score tied becomes a suspended game and will be resumed from the exact point of suspension. 4: Batter Refusing to Take Position – Rule 6.02 (c) The umpire shall call an automatic strike. The ball is dead. No runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his/her proper position. After 3 such penalties, the batter is out. 5:Catches in the Dugout and Out of Play – 7:04 A fielder may not step into the dugout to make a legal catch. A fielder must have one foot on or over the playing surface to make a legal catch. The other foot may not be touching the ground inside the dugout or other out-of-play area. The ball remains in play after a legal catch unless the fielder falls into the dugout or out-of-play area. If the fielder falls as described above, the ball is dead and all runners are awarded one base from their last legally occupied base when the fielder fell. 6: Dropped Third Strike - Rule 6.09(b) The batter is out when leaves the dirt circle around home plate ,if you only have dirt around home allow a couple of feet . 7:Pitched Ball Touched by Detached Equipment – Rule 7.05(j) If a fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his/her cap, mask or any part of the uniform detached from its proper place: The ball is dead All runners are awarded one base from their last legally occupied base at the time the ball was touched. 8: Pitching Positions and Delivery – Rules 8.01(a)(b)/8.04 Only a portion of the pivot foot must be touching the rubber in either the windup or set positions (pitching "off the end" of the rubber is now legal) In the windup position, the free foot may be in front of, behind, to the side or on the rubber. In the set position, the pitcher may now step to the side during delivery. With no runners on base, the pitcher does not have to come to a complete stop when using the set position. With no runners on base, the pitcher must deliver the ball within 12 seconds or a ball will be called. The 12 seconds begin when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box. (Only make this call if you are in a hurry to go home.) |