What is the circle rule?

The circle rule stops runners from dancing off base once the pitcher has the ball. It uses the 8-foot radius circle around the pitcher's plate, which must be marked on the field.

When the pitcher has the ball inside the circle and isn't making a play (a fake throw counts as a play):

• any runner off base must immediately, interpreted as within three seconds, either advance or go back to their base;
• a runner may start to advance only once on each play or pitch. A runner who stops, then stops a second time without the defense making a play, is out and the ball is dead.

A shoulder movement or head fake by the pitcher isn't a play. If the pitcher fakes a throw at a runner, runners may stop, change direction or start again without penalty.

If more than one runner breaks the rule, the runner who left their base first is out. If the umpire can't tell who, the lead runner is out, and no one advances on the play.