Baseball, much like any other sport, has some weird rules that not too many people are familiar with. These rules, when enforced during a game, sometimes make spectators throw things at the TV or yell bloody murder at the umpire who called the rule. However, before wondering if the umpire has lost his senses, fans must first understand all the rules, including the rare and obscure ones.
Six Strike Outs Without Changing Sides
Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows that only three outs will retire a side. So how does six strike outs happen without transitioning sides? Imagine that there are two strike outs already and the third possible out is up to bat. On the third strike, the catcher drops the ball and the runner makes it to first base. This is possible because the rule states if the catcher drops the third strike, the batter is allowed to run until safe at first base or tagged out. Now there are three strike outs, but the same team is batting. If this happens two more times in a row, and the players on base steal second and third, that makes five strike outs. The next batter gets struck out, which makes six. Sounds like a lot, but this is the rule.
Balks
Balks are probably the most unusual calls and hardest to understand. A few reasons a pitcher will be charged with a balk include if the pitcher pitches the ball facing away from the batter; the pitcher drops the ball on the rubber mound; the pitcher throws to a base where no runner is located; and the pitcher hurries and throws a pitch from a return ball from the catcher to try and catch the batter off guard. These situations are very rare.
Triple Play Without Touching a Fielder
A triple play is simple: if one man is on first and second, a player catches the ball and tags third, second then first--there are the three outs. However, it is possible to get a triple play without ever touching the ball. Imagine that there is a man on first and second base. The ball is pitched and the batter hits the ball high, but it stays in the infield. The batter is automatically out because of the infield fly rule that states if a pop fly remains in the infield, the batter is out. This is the first out. As the ball is in the air and the man on first runs past the guy on second, the guy on second is out because if any runner overlaps another runner, they are out. There is the second out. The triple play comes if the remaining runner touches the ball. If he does, this is a result of interference, and he is out.
Ground Rule "Triples"
A ground rule double is common in almost every game of baseball. If the ball bounces over the fence or if it is obstructed, this results in a ground rule double. A ground rule triple comes to be if a player hits the ball with his hat or mask. If a player throws his glove at a fair ball and hits it, this also results in a ground rule triple. Unusual, but it does happen from time to time.
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