Pitcher's position on the rubber (8.01a, 8.01b) - From either the windup or set position, pitchers are now allowed to have a portion of their pivot foot in contact with the rubber, as opposed to their entire pivot foot. Also, in the windup position, a pitcher is allowed to have their free foot at either side of the rubber and to step to either side of the rubber.
Batter becoming a runner after a third strike is dropped (6.09, 7.08a) - Previously, on a dropped third strike with two outs or with less than two outs and first base unoccupied, the batter could run to first base as long as he had not reached the dugout or his defensive position. Now the batter is called out if he does not realize a third strike is not caught and he leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate en route to the dugout or his defensive position.
Catching the ball in the dugout is prohibited (6.05a) - While fielders may still reach into the dugout to make a catch, they may no longer step into the dugout to do so. (In most cases, ground rules applied at most American Legion games did not allow a fielder to make a catch when in contact with dead ball territory that generally included the dugout or dugout area.)
Batter refusing to take position in batter's box (6.02c) - If a batter refuses to take his position in the batter's box, the penalty now is an automatic strike call. Previously, the pitcher had to pitch the ball for the umpire to call a strike. The ball is dead and no runners make advance while the action is being penalized.
Comment - Umpires shall give the batter a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position in the batter's box after the umpire has called a strike pursuant to rule 6.02c and before a successive strike is called pursuant to rule 6.02c.
Batter's Box rule (6.02d) - The batter is now required to leave one foot in the batter's box unless one of the eight exceptions occurs. If one of the following eight exceptions applies, the batter is allowed to leave the batter's box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate.
- The batter swings at a pitch;
- The batter is forced out of the batter's box by a pitch;
- A member of either team requests and is granted Time;
- A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base;
- The batter feints a bunt;
- A wild pitch or passed ball occurs;
- The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound after receiving the ball; or
- The catcher leaves the catcher's box to give defensive signals
Time reduced for pitcher to deliver a pitch (8.04) - Pitcher now have 12 seconds (instead of 20 seconds) to deliver the next pitch with no runners on base. The time starts when the pitcher has the ball and the batter is in the box and alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.
Penalty - A ball is called.
Multi-colored gloves allowed (1.15a, 1.15c) - Previously gloves had to be of a single color. Now, as long as the glove is not white, grey or in the judgment of the umpire to be distracting in any manner, it is legal. (The pitcher will change gloves if requested by the umpire to be able to continue to pitch in the game.)
Illegal bat use (6.06d) - A batter shall now be deemed to have used or attempted to use an illegal bat if he should bring such bat into the batter's box.
Penalty - The batter is out for illegal action.
Pitched ball touched by detached equipment (7.05) - Runners are awarded one base when a pitched ball is touched by a cap, mask or any part of the uniform detached from its proper place on a person. The ball is in play and the base award is made from the position of the runner(s) at the time the ball was touched.
Complete stop not required with no runners on base (8.01b) - A pitcher using the set position is not called for an illegal pitch with no runners on for failing to come to a complete stop. The umpire could however declare a "quick pitch" if he feels the pitcher was deliberately trying to catch the batter off guard.
Pitcher suspended for intentionally defacing the ball or having foreign substance on or about his person (3.02, 8.02b) - 10 game suspension
