Official Baseball Rules 2024

Significant 2024 changes:

• Amended Rule 5.09(a)(11) to reflect the updated dimensions governing certain interference calls for throw at first base.

ABU Comment: This essentially changes the running lane from three foot in foul territory, to three feet either side of the foul line.

• Amended Rule 5.10(g) to reflect that a pitcher who warms up on the field at the start of the inning is required to pitch to at least the first batter of the inning until such batter is put out or reaches first base.

• Amended Rule 5.10(m) to update the number of mound visits each team is allowed through nine innings.

ABU Comment: Reduction of five ‘free’ visits to four

• The interpretation around 6.01(h) [Type 1 Obstruction] has been tightened.

ABU Comment: The fielder, without the ball in his possession, having no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to reach the base. The base line belongs to the runner and the fielder should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand.

Rules Not Observed in Australia

2.03 - Relates to the size of the base being an 18-inch square. In Australia, bases are the ‘old style’ 15-inch squared bases.

4.03(c)(1 - 3) - Rules relating to rosters are as stated in OBR related to Major League Baseball only, and should not be observed.

Pitch clock regulations or memos do not fall under Official Baseball Rules. These include limits on pickoffs, offensive time-outs, and time to deliver the pitch not related to the rarely enforced 5.07(c).

Little League Playing Rules

These rules should be used instead of the Official Baseball Rules for Little, Intermediate, Junior, Senior, or Big League competitions.

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Significant 2024 changes:

Rule 2.00 At Bat - Clarifies that for purposes of satisfying Mandatory Play for Tournament Play only, the definition of At-Bat in regard to completing an At-Bat after a player is retired as a batter; retired as a batter-runner; reaches base and scores; or reaches base and the inning/game ends, does not apply in Tournament Play.