Baseball is a game of rules. Many of them are quite common or obvious. The basic rules of the game include nine innings in a game, three outs in an inning and three strikes making an out. However, there are many rules that even confuse umpires. Those who are in charge of the game must carry their rule books with them in case any of these obscure situations occur.
Sacrifice Fly
Most baseball fans know that a runner who tags up can advance after a fielder catches a fly ball. However, the runner does not have to wait for the fielder to catch the baseball. When a runner is standing on third base, he can attempt to score as soon as the ball hits the outfielder's glove. This prevents the outfielder from intentionally juggling the ball as he runs toward the infield to keep the runner on base longer.
Batting Out of Order
The batting order becomes official when the manager turns in his lineup card to the umpire before the start of the game. However, if a team sends up the wrong batter to the plate, and discovers its mistake before the opponent does, the offensive team may send up the correct batter in the middle of an at-bat and not suffer a penalty. If the incorrect batter has a count of at least one ball or strike, and the proper batter replaces him, the correct batter assumes that count, and no penalty is assessed. However, if the opponent discovers the mistake before the offensive team sends up the correct batter, the umpire will declare the batter out.
Catcher's Balk
The catcher lines up behind home plate to catch the ball. He must stay in the box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. If he leaves the box early, the umpire may call a catcher's balk, and award the runner the next base. The only reason the catcher leaves the box is to attempt to block an errant pitch, and that clearly occurs after the ball has left the pitcher's hand. This could conceivably happen on an intentional walk, but this call is almost never called. However, Major League umpire Tim McClelland says it remains in the books and is an official rule. "It is a balk if the catcher doesn't stay in the catcher's box until the pitcher delivers the ball," McClelland said. "If he were to step out of the catcher's box --the little box behind home plate--before the pitcher delivers the ball, it would be called a catcher's balk. The runners would advance."
Member Comments