Baseball (MLB) vs Baseball (NCAA) — Same Game, Different Rules

A standard baseball with a cushioned cork center, yarn windings, and a leather cover with raised stitching, built to the NCAA's specified weight, circumference, and performance standards.; Only balls bearing the required NCAA certification marking may be used in competition.; BBCOR standard: Non-...

Per OBR Rule 3.03(a), all players on a team shall wear uniforms identical in color, trim, and style. Shoes with pointed spikes similar to track or golf shoes are prohibited (Rule 3.03(b)).

Base paths: 90 feet (27.43 m) between bases.; Pitching distance: 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) from the front edge of the pitcher's plate to the back point of home plate.; The mound: A raised circle of dirt with the pitcher's plate set 10 inches (25.4 cm) above the level of home plate, sloping down ...

Per OBR Rule 2.01, the playing field is laid out per the Official Baseball Rules diagram. The infield is a 90-foot (27.432 m) square, with bases at each corner.

Per Rule 5.07(b), the pitch is considered delivered when the pitcher's arm passes the hip in the forward swing. Illegal pitches (e.g., a pitch delivered from an illegal position, a quick pitch, or a pitch while in an illegal position) result in a ...

A regulation game is nine innings. The home team does not bat in the bottom of the ninth if it is already ahead.; Conferences may schedule seven-inning games for doubleheaders under the rules book's provisions.; If the score is tied after the regulation number of innings, the game continues into ...

Per OBR Rule 5.08(a), one run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches home base before three men are put out to end the inning. Exception: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home during a play in which the thi...

The official scorer records each at-bat, run, hit, and error, and the line score by inning, applying the rules book's scoring rules to credit hits, errors, earned runs, and pitching decisions.

MLB mandates specific protective equipment for all players in active game situations under OBR Rule 3.08 and supplementary league rules: Batting helmets: All batters, on-deck batters, and baserunners must wear an approved helmet. Helmets must meet National Operating Committee on Standards for Ath...

The BBCOR performance standard limits the trampoline effect of non-wood bats so that batted-ball speeds are comparable to wood — a safety measure adopted to protect pitchers and infielders, as well as a competitive one.; Championship bat testing enforces the standard during the postseason.; Doubl...