Saturday, August 3, 2013

The Confusing Plays in Baseball

 
Introduction 
 
Hello, my name is Jake Nordstrom, and welcome back to my monthly blog on the Basics of Baseball.
Last month, I talked about the National Anthem Etiquette. Today, we will discuss some of the confusing plays in baseball.
 
Hope you enjoy!
 
Drop Third Strike

 
When there are two strikes and first base is NOT occupied by a runner, the drop third strike rule is in action. If the pitcher throws a ball in the dirt (it hits the ground before your glove) and the batter swings, he can run to first base. To be clear, if the batter does not swing, it is not a drop third strike unless it is a called strike, but the catcher drops it.
 
Infield Fly
 
The only time that infield fly is in action is when there are two (or more) runners on base, and there is a force out. The only examples of this would be runners on first and second, and bases loaded. The way that Infield Fly works is that if the ball is hit in the infield in the air (a pop fly) the umpires will call out infield fly. The runners all have to go back to their bases. When the infielder catches it, the runners may then advance at their own risk. If the infielder misses the ball, the batter is still out. The runners still have to tag up, but may advance at their own risk. No matter what happens, the batter is always automatically out.
 
Ground Rule Double
A Ground Rule Double is simply when the batter hits the ball, and it hits the ground in the outfield, but goes over the fence. The runner then goes to second base, no matter what. Even if the runner is on third base when the ball goes over the fence, they still have to go to second base.
 
Bunt Foul Third Strike
 
The reason that you never see anyone (maybe besides the pitcher in majors) bunt when there are two strikes, is because when the batter bunts with two strikes and it goes foul, the batter is called out. The batter can bunt foul with 0 and 1 strikes, and won’t be called out. But I advise you to swing away with two strikes.
 
 Player Interference
 
Player interference is when the Offensive or Defensive player interferes with the other team’s actions. For example, if the runner is running around the bases, and the shortstop is in the way of the base path (where the runner rounds the bases), the runner has the right to try and advance to the next base, and if out, may complain that the defensive player was in the way. This would be an example of Defensive Interference.

An example of Offensive Interference would be if the runner runs into a defensive player, but the defender isn’t in the base path. The runner would then be called out for Offensive Interference.

Another example of interference is Catcher’s Interference. Catcher’s Interference is when during the batter’s swing, the batter’s bat hits any part of the catcher. The batter is then awarded a free base. The only time that it doesn’t count, is when the batter has followed through on his swing, and the bat hits the catcher when the ball has already been hit or missed.
Fan Interference is when someone (or something) interferes with the game. An example would be if a fan came running onto the field. Also, it could be as simple as a bag distracting the pitcher or a fielder. If a fan does interfere with the game, it will usually result of them being put into handcuffs and maybe worse.  In Little League, you will probably just get a warning, but you still shouldn’t do it.
 
Balk
 
           In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that are called a balk. Most of these motions involve a pitcher pretending to pitch when he has no intention of doing so. A balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In the event a balk is enforced, the pitch is generally (but not always) out of play, each runner is awarded one base, and the batter remains at bat, with the previous count.

According to Wikipedia, here are a few examples of balks:

 
1. Switches his (or her) pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber.

 
2. When pitching from the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch.

 
3. Throws from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent.

 
4. Drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line.

 
5. After bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them while not throwing a pitch.
 
Conclusion
 
Next month, join me for Part 2 on the Other Plays in Baseball. Help me out my clicking the "Join This Site" Button in the upper-right hand corner of my blog.
 
And remember, keep having fun!
 
Thank you!
 
If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to be placed on the mailing list, please send an
e-mail to jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com or press the "Join This Site" button in the upper right hand corner of my blog.

All newsletter archives are located at http://JakePlaysBaseball.blogspot.com/

If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com

No comments:

Post a Comment