c. Team Personnel Leaving Position -Team personnel leaving their position to potentially participate in a verbal altercation or a physical confrontation (e.g., pushing, shoving, bumping) or a fight (see 5-16-a) shall include players, coaches and team personnel.
The position of various team members is determined by where the individual is located (e.g., dugout, bullpen, coaching box, on base, at bat, defensive position) at the time a confrontational situation develops.
PENALTY-(1) Any team personnel (other than coaches) who leave the
dugout or bullpen to enter the field at the time of a potential altercation or fight shall be ejected and suspended for one game.
All team personnel (including coaches) who leave their positions and participate in a fight shall be ejected and suspended for the team's next four contests.
Note I: A player involved in a fight while remaining at their position on the field and indoed to have been acting in self-defense and not contributing to the fight shall not be ejected or suspended.
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RULE 5 / THE GAME-ITS BEGINNING AND END
Note 2: If a player or coach makes physical contact with another player in an obvious attempt to prevent a fight or confrontation, that individual shall not be ejected or suspended.
(2) A batter or runner who initiates a fight by charging or pursuing the pitcher shall receive a four-game suspension.
(3) A pitcher who leaves the pitcher's mound and initiates a fight shall receive a four-game suspension.
(4) If a fight occurs while other players are involved in a play (i.e., run-down play, back-up situation, etc.), those nearby or backing up the play must not become physically involved as this will constitute a violation of this rule. The penalty is ejection and a four-game suspension. Umpires may use video footage, if available, to correctly identify persons who were involved in a fight. This review should occur immediately after the incident.