Rule 2

Section 6:

Fielder, Battery, F1, F2, and Spotter

Article 1...

     A Fielder is anyone of six players of a team when it is not at bat (defensive team). There is no specific distinction between outfield and infield positions in beep baseball. The terms “infield” and “outfield” are used in these rules to distinguish between positions 1, 3, and 5; and 2, 4, and 6 respectively, although a team may place the players occupying these positions anywhere on the playing field. The pitcher and catcher are the Batter.

Article 2...

     In play rulings and discussion, the fielders are referred to as F1, F2, etc. F1 is infielder at first base, F3 is infielder at shortstop, F5 is infielder at third base, F2 is outfielder in right field, F4 is outfielder in center, F6 is outfielder in left field, P is pitcher (non-fielding position), C is catcher (non-fielding position), and Sp is spotter (also a non-fielding position).

Article 3...

     A Spotter is a non-playing member of the defensive team who will assist the defensive team in the field. Each team must have one, but not more than two, spotters. The spotter(s) will take a position on the field in fair territory prior to the Umpire calling “play”. The spotters may assist the defense in position themselves on the field prior to each pitch. Spotter may advise if a batter is right - or left - handed, male or female, or any additional information, which the spotter feels, is necessary for the players to know, prior to the umpire calling “play” and prior to the Time of the Pitch for the first pitch, and subsequent pitches, to that batter. The spotter may use only the numbers one through six when designating which player is in the best position to field a batted ball. If the spotter attempts to convey any other information (such as left or right, in or out, a second call by the same or different spotter [double call], or any other verbal or physical assistance to aid a player or players in locating the ball) the umpire shall award the offensive team a run and caution both the captain and the spotter of that team; if repeated offenses are called for the same or similar infraction in that ball game, the spotter may be ejected from the game. Two ejections in a tournament will result in that spotter being barred from further participation in that tournament in any capacity. Defensive players are allowed to speak freely to aid one another in locating and fielding the ball.

EXCEPTIONS: Exceptions to the spotter ejection are:

[a]

     In the event a ball in flight presents a chance of injury to a defensive player, the spotter may call out a warning without penalty;

[b]

     If a collision between fielders is imminent, the spotter may, and should, call out a warning without penalty;

[c]

     If a collision between a fielder and the runner is imminent, the spotter may, and should, call out a warning. In this case the umpire shall decide if the play should be awarded to the defense, if the collision was / would have been in fair territory; or the offense, if the collision was / would have been in foul territory; or if the play will be redone with ball and strike count starting over;

** [d]

     A spotter may knock down an unusually hard hit ball traveling toward a defensive player to protect the player. In this case, a replay will be awarded.

NOTE:

     It must be stated here that a simultaneous or near-simultaneous call by two spotters is possible. The head umpire will be the sole judge of whether or not a simultaneous or near-simultaneous call has occurred. The head umpire may confer with the other officials on the field before announcing a decision. This occurrence is not a double-call and shall not be penalized as such. If the head umpire decides the call was simultaneous, the play will stand; otherwise he may call a replay and the batter shall resume with ball and strike count starting over.

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