The 2020 Official Baseball Rules Changes

SPEED UP RULE

• Amended Rule 5.10(g) to specify

that the Three-Batter Minimum
has been adopted for use at the
Major League level.
• Added Rule 5.10(g) Comment to
illustrate the qualifications
required for a batter’s plate
appearance to count towards the
Three-Batter Minimum.
“ Rule 5.10(g) Comment: To qualify as one of
three consecutive batters, the batter must
complete his plate appearance, which ends
only when the batter is put out or becomes a
runner. If the offensive team is put out prior
to any substitute pitcher completing his first
three consecutive batters, the pitcher may be
removed from the game between innings;
…but, if he returns for the subsequent inning, he
must complete pitching to as many batters as
necessary to satisfy the three consecutive batters
requirement, which total would include any batters
that completed a plate appearance with that pitcher
the prior inning (i.e., if he completed 0 PA in inning 1,
he must complete 3 PA in inning 2; if he completed 1
PA in inning 1, he must complete 2 PA in inning 2;
…if he completed 2 PA in inning 1, he must
complete 1 PA in inning 2). An intentional
walk counts toward fulfilling the number of
required batters. Picking off a runner does
not fulfill the minimum batter requirement,
but would permit the early removal of the
pitcher if the out recorded by the pickoff
ends the inning. “
• Added Rule 5.10(i) Note to specify that
the substitute batter exception does not
apply to substitute pitchers who return for
subsequent innings without having satisfied
the Three-Batter Minimum.
• Amended Rule 5.10(m) to clarify
that that the pitcher must come out
of the game as a result of an illegal
Mound Visit upon the completion of
three batters or the end of the
inning, which ever comes first.
• Amended Rule 6.01(a) dictating
who the next batter is following a
runner being declared out for
interference on a foul batted ball.
Rule 6.01(a)(10)
“ If the third out occurs because a runner is declared out for
interference on a foul batted ball, the batter-runner is considered to
have completed his at bat, and the first batter up the following inning
will be the player who follows him in the batting order (if there are less
than two outs, the batter will complete his at-bat). If the batter-runner
is adjudged not to have hindered a fielder attempting to make a play on
a batted ball, and if the base runner’s interference is adjudged not to be
intentional, the batter-runner shall be awarded first base; “
Amended Rule 6.01(d) Comment
defining the actions that would
be considered intentional
interference.
(d) Unintentional Interference
In case of unintentional interference with
play by any person herein authorized to be on
the playing field (except members of the team at
bat who are participating in the game, or a base
coach, any of whom interfere with a fielder
attempting to field a batted or thrown ball; or an
umpire) the ball is alive and in play
 If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be
dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire
shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify
the act of interference.
The question of intentional or unintentional
interference shall be decided on the basis of the person’s
action.
 For example: a bat boy, ball attendant,
policeman, etc., who tries to avoid being
touched by a thrown or batted ball but still is
touched by the ball would be involved in
unintentional interference. If, however, he picks
up the ball, catches it, or touches the ball by
intentionally pushing or kicking at the ball, this
act would constitute intentional interference.
 Amended Rule 6.02(d)(4) to clarify the
penalty for a pitcher engaging in prohibited
actions listed in Rule 6.02(c)(2) through (7) if
the offensive manager chooses not to accept
the result of the play after which the
violation was noted.
Courtesy of YOUTUBE
“ Rule 6.02(c)(7) Comment: The pitcher may not
attach anything to either hand, any finger or
either wrist (e.g., Band-Aid, tape, Super Glue,
bracelet, etc.). The umpire shall determine if such
attachment is indeed a foreign substance for the
purpose of Rule 6.02(c)(7), but in no case may the
pitcher be allowed to pitch with such attachment
to his hand, finger or wrist. ”
“ (d) PENALTY: For violation of any part of (c)(2) through
(7): (1) The pitcher shall be ejected immediately from the
game and shall be suspended automatically. In the Minor
Leagues, the automatic suspension shall be for 10 games.
(2) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the
manager of the team at bat may advise the umpire-in
chief that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall
be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if
the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on
balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is
put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall
proceed without reference to the violation. “
• Amended Rule 6.04(d) Comment
dictating where a suspended
manager, coach, or player may be
both before and during a game.
• Amended Rule 7.04 dictating that
game protests are no longer
permitted.
7.04 Protesting Games

“ Protesting a game shall never be permitted,

regardless of whether such complaint is based on
judgment decisions by the umpire or an
allegation that an umpire misapplied these rules
or otherwise rendered a decision in violation of
these rules. “
• References to game protests were removed
from Rule 3.02(c) Comment,
Rule 9.01(b)(3), Rule 9.01(b)(3) Comment,
and General Instructions to Umpires.
Thank you