Rule Changes
Baseball Rule Changes
2007 BASEBALL RULE CHANGES
Pitcher’s Gloves – Rules 1.15(a)(c)
New Official Rule for 2007
Pitcher may wear multi-coloured glove
Old Official Rule
Two-tone glove was not allowed
Glove may not be white or gray
White or gray were not allowed
Glove may not be distracting in the umpire’s judgment
No penalty was described for gloves that didn’t conform
A glove that does not conform to this rule is to be removed from the game (no further penalty applies)
Suspended Games – Rules 4.10/4.11/4.12
These rules have been slightly reworded to be clearer and consistent. The only actual alteration to the rule is described below:
New Official Rule for 2007
A regulation game called with the score tied becomes a suspended game and will be resumed from the exact point of suspension.
Old Official Rule
A regulation game called with the score tied was considered a “tie game” and had to be replayed in its entirety.
Dropped Third Strike – Rule 6.09(b)
A batter becomes a runner after a dropped third strike when first base is unoccupied, or when first base is occupied with two out. A batter who does not realize the situation and does not run to first base shall be called out when he/she:
New Official Rule for 2007
leaves the dirt circle around home plate
Old Official Rule
enters the dugout
Pitching Positions and Delivery – Rules 8.01(a)(b)/8.04
These rules have been changed to allow several commonly accepted current practices and to be consistent with some modern pitching deliveries:
New Official Rule for 2007
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)
Old Official Rule
The entire pivot foot was to be in contact with the rubber.
New Official Rule for 2007
In the windup position, the free foot may be in front of, behind, to the side or on the rubber.
Old Official Rule
In the windup position, the free foot was to be behind the rubber
New Official Rule for 2007
In the set position, the pitcher may now step to the side during delivery.
Old Official Rule
In the set position, the pitcher was not allowed to step to the side.
New Official Rule for 2007
With no runners on base, the pitcher does not have to come to a complete stop when using the set position.
It was not clearly defined whether a pitcher was required to come to a full stop with no runners on base.
New Official Rule for 2007
With no runners on base, the pitcher must deliver the ball within 12 seconds or a ball will be called.
The previous rule called for a 20 second time limit with no runners on base.
The 12 seconds begin when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box.
NOTE: It is the interpretation of the Baseball Ontario Umpires’ Committee that the 12-second rule is to be enforced only in cases of repeated, deliberate delay of game by a pitcher. Umpires are instructed to use all reasonable game management techniques prior to enforcing this rule.
It was not clearly defined when the time limit began.
Batter Refusing to Take Position – Rule 6.02 (c)
If a batter refuses to enter the batter’s box:
New Official Rule for 2007
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.
Old Official Rule
The umpire was to order the pitcher to pitch.
The umpire was to call any such pitch a strike, regardless of location. The ball remained alive and runners could advance on a wild pitch or passed ball. After the pitch, the batter could resume his position. After 3 such pitche