Every year Major League Baseball releases a rulebook that outlines how to play the game. There are detailed instructions on how to organize a game, set up a field, play and score the game. Each rule is designed to solve unusual or difficult plays and maintain fair competition between the teams.
Field Dimensions
Rule 1.00--Objectives of the Game--provides information for how every baseball field should be constructed. Consistent dimensions for every baseball field reduce home field advantage. Some of the field dimensions that are outlined are base and plate dimensions, distances between bases and infield design. Each base--first, second and third--is required to be a 15-inch square filled with a soft material that makes a square with home base and 90 feet separating each base. The pitcher's plate--a rectangle measuring 24 by 6 inches--is 60 feet, 6 inches away from the back of home base, with a dirt circle measuring 18 feet in diameter.
Substitutions
Rules for substitutions, lineups and batting orders are explained in Rule 3.00--Game Preliminaries. A team can make any substitution while the ball is dead. Once a player leaves the game they are not allowed to return. When a substitution occurs, the umpire will relay the substitution information to the other team and the official scorekeeper. The substitute player will assume the same place in the batting order as the player being replaced.
Scoring a Run
The goal of baseball is to score more runs than the opponent. Rule 4.00--Starting and Ending a Game--outlines the rules regarding scoring runs. To score a run, a team must follow certain rules. A run shall be awarded if a player touches first, second, third and home base, in that order, before the end of the inning. A player can advance one base at a time or touch each base consecutively after a home run.
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