One of MLB’s Most Unenforced Rules Still on the Books
Technically, baseball players, coaches, and managers are in violation of rule 4.06 when signing autographs for fans at ballparks.
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers signs autographs before a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City on May 28, 2024. Adam Hunger/Getty Images
Page 16 of Major League Baseball’s rule book lists rule 4.06: No Fraternization. In practice, however, this rule is rarely ever enforced.
In MLB’s Official Baseball Rules (2025 edition), nine members of the Official Playing Rules Committee stamped their approval of all 163 pages published.
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.
