Rule 37 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Positioning the ball and calling play
How long the hitter has to set the ball up for a penalty, and that nobody may make contact until the umpire calls play.
POSITIONING BALL AND CALLING PLAY. Once the umpire has dropped the ball, the player has 30 seconds in which to reposition and play the ball. The 30 seconds starts when the player touches the ball or when the umpire indicates the time has started. Once repositioned the umpire shall call play. For violation of procedure see Penalty 7a and 7b but if both teams fail to carry out the correct procedure the penalty shall be re-taken at the same point and under the same conditions. There must be no contact between opposing players until the umpire calls play.