What are the rules concerning the ball in Baseball?
541003
Official rules may be reviewed at the website below.\n\nBut as for your questions-\n\nA ball is used until it is worn as determined by the umpires- but in the Majors- is often lost due to foul balls.\n\nNo- very unlike cricket- the baseball CANNOT be tampered with in any shape or form but the natural occurrences of play (I.e.- the ball scuffs on the grass on a grounder and then is returned to the pitcher).  \n\nRules prohibit such means (scuffing spitting)- as pitchers in the past have tried to use Vaseline on their caps, sandpaper on their gloves, or other means- all will get ejections from the game (if caught).\n\nAs for teams using the same balls- yes.  After the 3rd out is made, the ball that made the last out is oftentimes returned to the pitchers mound to use the next inning.\n\nHope that helps!
260858
The basic contest is always between the pitcher for the fielding team, and a batter. The pitcher throws—pitches—the ball towards home plate, where the catcher for the fielding team waits (in a crouched stance) to receive it. Behind the catcher stands the home plate umpire. The batter stands in one of the batter's boxes and tries to hit the ball with a bat. The pitcher must keep one foot in contact with the top or front of the pitcher's rubber—a 24" x 6" (~ 61 cm x 15 cm) plate located atop the pitcher's mound—during the entire pitch, so he can only take one step backward and one forward in delivering the ball. The catcher's job is to receive any ball that the batter misses or does not swing at, and to "call" the game by a series of hand movements that signal to the pitcher what pitch to throw and where. If the pitcher disagrees with the call, he will "shake off" the catcher by shaking his head no; he accepts the sign by nodding. The catcher's role becomes more crucial depending on how the game is going, and how the pitcher responds to a given situation. Each pitch begins a new play, which might consist of nothing more than the pitch itself.\n\nEach half-inning, the goal of the defending team is to get three members of the other team out. A player who is out must leave the field and wait for his next turn at bat. There are many ways to get batters and baserunners out; some of the most common are catching a batted ball in the air, tag outs, force outs, and strikeouts. After the fielding team has put out three players from the opposing team, that half of the inning is over and the team in the field and the team at bat switch places; there is no upper limit to the number that may bat in rotation before three outs are recorded. Going through the entire order in an inning is referred to as "batting around". It is indicative of a high scoring inning. A complete inning consists of each opposing side having a turn (three outs) on offense.
236556
Ok, there are two types of pitches. Ones that the batter can hit are "strikes," and the ones that he can't hit (in the umpire's opinion) are called "balls." In order to be a strike, the ball needs to cross home plate between the batter's knees and shoulders, roughly. If it is too high or too low, it's a ball. If it's too far away from the batter or too close to him, it's a ball. But if the batter swings at the pitch and misses it, the umpire will call a strike regardless of where the pitch was.\n\nIf you get three strikes, you are out. If you get four balls, you get to go to first base. The umpire will say "Ball four, batter take your base."
121147
Here you go, taken staight from the MLB Official Rules.  See the second paragraph:\n\n1.09\nThe ball shall be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a small core of cork, rubber or similar material, covered with two stripes of white horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. \n\nIt shall weigh not less than five nor more than 5 1/4 ounces avoirdupois and measure not less than nine nor more than 9 1/4 inches in circumference.\n\nMLB allows a tolerance in the size due to manufacturing standards.  I went to the All-Star Game fanfest in Houston and they had an interesting display and presenter from (if I recall correctly) Rawlings.  They described the Quality Assurance that goes into making baseballs.\n\nOne more week until Spring Training starts.  Good luck to your favorite team.
1057992
1.  As a hitter, you look for top spin (opposite of fastball).  Also, occasionally a pitcher will drop his elbow when he throws the curve.  Look for that.\n\n2.  The best 0-2 pitch is often a fastball high and in.  It's called "wasting a pitch" but either causes an aggresive hitter to swing at a bad pitch or sets up a timid hitter to put a bad swing on a next pitch low and away.\n\n3.  For velocity and control, go with the "4-seam" grip (across the widest space between seems).
17140
The rules can be found at the link below.  This is for football (soccer).  If you're referring to American football, the rules are at http://www.nfl.com/features/rulebook.
490908
if the catcher blocks the plate, you are allowed to collide in order to get to  home base, not to jar the ball loose. I used to be a catcher in softball in Texas, I got plowed once because i was over the plate and the ball was being thrown to me, the person plowed me about 2 seconds before the ball got there. You are not allowed to collide in order to jar the ball loose. also remember, the tie goes to the runner.
874108
The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands. \nThe ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands. \nA player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowances to be made for a man who catches the ball when running if he tries to stop. \nThe ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it. \nNo shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping or striking in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed; the first infringement of this rule by any player shall come as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game, no substitute allowed. \nA foul is striking the ball with the fist, violation of Rules 3, 4, and such as described in Rule 5. \nIf either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul). \nA goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do no touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal. \nWhen the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field of play by the person touching it. He has a right to hold it unmolested for five seconds. In case of a dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds; if he holds it longer it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game the umpire shall call a foul on that side. \nThe umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5. \nThe referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee. \nThe time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between. \nThe side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In the case of a draw the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.
677131
check out this link it will help a lot, \nits too long to put them here, and also it has graphics\n\n\nhttp://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/official_rules/objectives_1.jsp
712703
The playing field is divided into fair territory and foul territory. Fair territory is further divided into the infield, the outfield, and the territory beyond the outfield fence.\n\nThe field is defined by two baselines or foul lines that meet at a right angle at home plate. The minimum length of the baselines varies classification of play (see below for official measurements). A fence running between the baselines defines the limits of the field; this fence is equidistant from home plate at all points.\n\nBehind home plate is a backstop. It must be between 25 and 30 feet (7.62 and 9.14 meters) behind home plate.\n\nHome plate is made of rubber. It is a five-sided figure, a combination of a rectangle and triangle, 17 in (43 cm) wide. The sides are 8.5 in (22 cm) long. The triangle fits into the right angle formed by the baselines.\n\nHome plate is one corner of a diamond with bases at each corner. The bases other than home plate are 15 in (38 cm) square, of canvas or a similar material, and not more than 5 in (13 cm) thick. The bases are usually securely fastened in position. The bases are numbered counter clockwise as first base, second base, and third base. Outside first base (that is, in foul territory) and adjacent and connected to it is a contrast-coloured "double base" or "safety base". It is intended to prevent collisions between the first baseman and the runner. The runner runs for the foul portion of the double base after hitting the ball while the fielding team tries to throw the ball to the regular first base before the runner reaches the safety base. However, not all softball diamonds have these safety bases and they are much more common in women's softball than in men's. The double base is required in ISF championships.\n\nThe infield consists of the diamond and the adjacent space in which the infielders (see below) normally play. The outfield is the remaining space between the baselines and between the outfield fence and the infield. The infield is usually "skinned" (dirt), while the outfield has grass in regulation competitions.\n\nNear the centre of the diamond is the pitching plate. In fast pitch, a skinned circle 8 feet (2.44 meters) in diameter known as the pitching circle is around the pitching plate.\n\nA field is officially supposed to have a warning track between 15 and 12 feet (5 and 4 meters) from the outfield fence. However, if the game is being played on a field larger than required, no warning track is required before the temporary outfield fencing.\n\nLocated in foul territory outside both baselines are two Coach's Boxes. Each box is behind a line 15 feet (5 meters) long located 12 feet (3 meters) from each baseline.\n\n\n[edit] Official baseline dimensions\nFast Pitch Baselines Slow Pitch Baselines \n60 ft (18.29 m) 60 ft or 65 ft (19.81 m) \n\n\n[edit] Fast pitch pitching dimensions\nAdult Under 18 Under 15 \nFemale Male Female Male Female Male \n43 ft (13.11 m) 46 ft (14.02 m) 40 ft (12.19 m)or 35 ft 46 ft (14.02 m) 40 ft (12.19 m)or 35 ft 46 ft (14.02 m) \n\n\n[edit] Slow pitch pitching distances\nAdult Under 18 Under 15 \nFemale Male Coed Female Male Female Male \n46 ft (14.02 m) 50 ft (15.24 m) 50 ft (15.24 m) 46 ft (14.02 m) 46 ft (14.02 m) 46 ft (14.02 m) 46 ft (14.02 m \n\n\nall same
633160
Let me just list them to make it easier.\n\n1) Error\n2) Walk\n3) Hit\n4) Hit By Pitch\n5) Fielder's Choice\n6) Third Strike Rule\n7) Catcher's Interference\n8) Fielder's Interference\n9) If a base runner (other than the batter) gets hit by a batted ball, the player who gets struck with the ball is out and all other base runners advance, including the batter, who reaches safely at first base.
240183
Here you go taken straight from the MLB rule book (Rule 10.04 Runs Batted In).\n\nRUNS BATTED IN \n10.04\n(a) Credit the batter with a run batted in for every run which reaches home base because of the batter's safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out or fielder's choice; or which is forced over the plate by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full (on a base on balls, or an award of first base for being touched by a pitched ball, or for interference or obstruction).\n\n(b) Do not credit a run batted in when the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse force double play. \n\nSee the link below for the full details.
1168644
The play stands, by Rule 7.05 (c & e):\n\nEach runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance-\n\n(c) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.\n\n(e) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a thrown ball. The ball is in play; In applying (b c d e) the umpire must rule that the thrown glove or detached cap or mask has touched the ball. There is no penalty if the ball is not touched. Under (c e) this penalty shall not be invoked against a fielder whose glove is carried off his hand by the force of a batted or thrown ball, or when his glove flies off his hand as he makes an obvious effort to make a legitimate catch.
337317
1.  Safely hit the ball\n2.  Hit by a pitch\n3.  Walked with four balls\n4.  Catcher interference\n5.  Reaching first base due to a fielder's error\n6.  reaching first base due to a fielder's choice play (not considered a hit)\n7.  A dropped third strike in which you can run to first base prior to the ball being thrown to the first baseman
1174238
From Major League rules;\n\n8.05\nIf there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when --\n\n(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;\n\nIn HS baseball, and most youth sanctions , the rule is within 5 feet of the rubber.
687504
Baseball around the world is played under three major rules codes, which differ only slightly. The North American professional leagues and many amateur leagues use the Official Baseball Rules, which are published to the public by The Sporting News; U.S. collegiate and college-age play is often covered by the baseball rulebook of the NCAA; and U.S. high school and high school-age baseball is governed by the NFHS rules. IBAF international teams, most leagues outside North America, and youth baseball organizations such as Little League, PONY League, and Cal Ripken League all play under slightly modified versions of the Official Baseball Rules.\n\nUnlike many other sports, the Official Baseball Rules have remained largely static during the modernization of the game. This is evidenced in much esoteric or awkward language in the rulebook; also, rules experts such as Chris Jaksa and Rick Roder have identified over 50 outright errors in the book, mostly concerning rare or subtle differences. Many baseball players, fans, and administrators view the rules and traditions of professional baseball as time-tested and nearly sacrosanct. The designated hitter rule, first introduced to play over 30 years ago in 1973, is still subject to lively debate and has been adopted by only one of the two American major leagues—though almost all other leagues around the world have adopted it. In fact, NFHS rules allow the designated hitter to bat for any position. In contrast to the Official Baseball Rules, the NFHS is continually refining and updating its rule book to meet the needs of the United States high school game. The NCAA updates its rulebook less often the NFHS, but still more current.\n\nIn Japan, if a regular-season game is tied after nine innings, only three extra innings may be played. The accepted codes of etiquette also differ in Japanese baseball, though these are not written in official rules.\n\nOther major differences often center around additional safety rules. Most amateur leagues prohibit malicious contact by runners, are stricter on interference calls, and require double-earflap helmets.\n\nFor an overview of the rules themselves, see Main article: baseball, the baseball rules category below, or each individual rule book
558873
Straight outta the MLB rule book:  \n\nWILD PITCHES_PASSED BALLS \n10.15\n(a) A wild pitch shall be charged when a legally delivered ball is so high, or so wide, or so low that the catcher does not stop and control the ball by ordinary effort, thereby permitting a runner or runners to advance. (1) A wild pitch shall be charged when a legally delivered ball touches the ground before reaching home plate and is not handled by the catcher, permitting a runner or runners to advance. (b) A catcher shall be charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or to control a legally pitched ball which should have been held or controlled with ordinary effort, thereby permitting a runner or runners to advance.