Which signal marks the official start of play during a game?

• A. The official scorekeeper announces the start time.
• B. The pregame conference has ended.
• C. The pitcher delivers the first pitch of the game.
• D. The umpire calls "Play" after all infielders, pitcher, catcher and batter are in position.

Answer: (D)

The official start of live play is signaled by the umpire calling "Play" once all the key players are in their proper positions—every infielder in their spot, the pitcher on the mound with the ball, the catcher ready behind home plate, and the batter in the box. That "Play" call makes the ball live and ready for action, so the pitcher can throw and the batter can swing, and fielders can begin plays. The other options are not the start signal: administrative notes like a scorekeeper announcing start time or the end of a pregame conference don’t begin live action, and a pitcher’s first pitch happens after the "Play" signal as part of the ongoing play.