Major League Baseball's rules govern the big leagues as well as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, but the organization would like amateur teams to use its rules as well. The official rulebook states that modifications to fields, equipment, fines and suspensions are to be expected, but that rules covering play should be strictly followed to ensure the integrity of America's national pastime. With that purpose in mind, MLB keeps its official rulebook easy to understand.
Passed Ball
A passed ball is a statistic given to a catcher when he fails to stop a pitch and a base runner or runners advance at least one base. If a batter receives a third strike but the catcher bobbles the ball, allowing the batter to reach first base, the play is recorded as a passed ball and a strikeout. Passed ball statistics have declined as better-designed catcher's mitts have become available.
Wild Pitch
A pitcher receives a wild pitch if his pitch is so high, low or wide that the catcher cannot stop it, and a runner or runners are able to advance at least one base. Wild pitches also include balls that touch the ground before crossing home plate, and those that hit the plate, if the catcher is unable to stop it and the runners advance.
RBIs
A run batted in is credited to a batter if a run is scored because of the batter's action during his at-bat. An error by the opposing team would not be due to any action on the batter's part, and would not be counted as an RBI. All runs scored as a result of the batter's hit, sacrifice bunt or fly, or infield out or fielder's choice count as RBIs. A batter also is credited with an RBI if the bases are loaded and a run is forced in because the batter draws a walk, an interference call or is hit by a pitch. A batter is not credited with an RBI if he hits into a double play, or an error is made by a fielder that prevents a double play.
Umpires
Subjective decisions by all umpires are final. If a call requires an umpire to make a judgment call on whether a hit ball is fair or foul, a pitch is a strike or a ball, or a base runner is safe or out, the umpire's decision is not open to debate.
MLB Records
In the post-1900 era, Lance Parrish holds the MLB career record for passed balls with 192. MLB catcher Pop Snyder holds the all-time record with 647 passed balls. Snyder's record is likely to stand. Henry "Hank" Aaron holds the all-time career record for runs batted in with 2,297. Babe Ruth is second with 2,213 RBIs.
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