Dead ball (baseball)

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In baseball, when the ball is dead, no runners may advance beyond bases they are entitled to, and no runners may be put out. The ball becomes dead when:

  • A batter is touched by a pitch or a batted ball (hit by pitch)
  • The plate umpire hinders a catcher's throw attempt and the throw does not directly retire a runner
  • A ball is illegally batted, such as when a batter hits the ball while outside of the batter's box
  • A foul ball is not caught
  • A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder (including the pitcher)
  • A fair ball touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher
  • A live ball lodges in the umpire's or catcher's equipment or in a fence or in another object on the field
  • Any legal pitch touches a runner trying to score
  • A live ball passes out of the playing field (unless it hits or crosses over a base on the ground)
  • A runner or spectator commits interference
  • The defense leaves the field after the game ends
  • An umpire calls time. Umpires typically call "time" after being asked to do so by a participant. An umpire in chief (plate umpire) will also call "time" when:
    • Weather, darkness or similar conditions make play impossible or dangerous
    • Light failure makes it difficult or impossible for the umpires to follow the play
    • An accident incapacitates a player or an umpire
    • The umpire wishes to examine the ball, to consult with either manager, or for any similar cause.
    • An umpire orders a player or any other person removed from the playing field.
    • A balk or obstruction is committed and immediate ensuing play ends
    • The catcher interferes with the batter before the time of pitch

In general, the ball does not automatically become dead after playing action ends.

After a dead ball, the ball becomes alive again when the pitcher stands on the pitcher's plate ready to pitch, the batter, catcher and umpire are ready, and the umpire calls or signals "Play."

Players and coaches may ask an umpire for "time," but they themselves may not call "time" and cause the ball to become dead. Nevertheless, "time" is usually granted by the umpire when asked, and thus, colloquially, it is often said that players or coaches indeed can "call time." Unlike other U.S. sports, the phrase "time out" is not used in baseball.

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