Baseball has been played at the professional level in China since 2002. While many of the rules used in the Chinese Baseball League are similar to those used in U.S. professional baseball, Chinese baseball generally follows the rules that govern the World Baseball Classic, which itself is under the auspices of the International Baseball Federation. Many of the rules have to do with increasing the pace of the game.
Early Termination
This is commonly referred to as the slaughter rule. It is not used in North American professional baseball, but it is used in the Chinese Baseball League. Teams that gain a lead of 10 runs or more through the seventh inning will be declared the winner and the game is over. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after the visiting team has batted in the top of seventh inning, the home team does not bat in the bottom of the inning. Teams that are ahead by 15 runs or more after five innings will be declared the winner.
Extra Inning Play
In order to help teams reach a conclusion in extra inning games, teams in Chinese baseball start the 11th inning with runners on first and second bases. Teams will play by standard baseball rules through the 10th inning, but will have runners placed on base with no outs starting with the 11th. Teams can use the bunt or attempt to advance those runners with any method possible. The World Baseball Classic employs this rule beginning in the 13th inning.
Pitching Pace
All pitchers must throw a pitch within 45 seconds of throwing the previous pitch when no runners are on base. If the previous pitch has been hit and put in play, the pitcher has 45 seconds to pitch again once the ball has been signaled ready for play by the umpire. If the pitcher does not put the ball in play, the pitcher will be charged with a ball in the at-bat.
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