Defensive positioning
MLB · 2025Fair territory and the MLB restrictions on infield shifts.
Where fielders stand
Except for the catcher, fielders must be in fair territory when play starts or resumes. MLB requires at least 4 infielders, excluding pitcher and catcher, with both feet inside the outer infield-dirt boundary at the prescribed stages of delivery. At release, at least 2 must be entirely on each side of second base. Switching sides during the inning is restricted, with specified substitution exceptions.
A positioning violation
If the offending infielder first touches the batted ball, the batter receives first base and runners advance a base. Other violations ordinarily produce a ball and dead ball. Play can stand when the batter reaches first and every runner advances, and the offensive manager may accept a resulting play instead of the penalty.
Sources & approach ↗