Baseball Question

[Tanuki]

Just to completely muddy the waters...

As a grade school kid playing pickup ball after school or on summer break we could usually get no more than 5 or 6 players, total. So we had 'ghost runners' and no catcher. And usually very weak pitching. The whole point was to get the ball in play. Actual pitches in the strike zone were rare.

If the batter could get to the ball, inside, outside, short, bouncing, heck, even rolling sometimes; he tried to hit it and run to first. If he didn't hit it he had to stop it with his foot or chase it to the backstop - no catcher.

Now that's baseball!

Who’s on first?

Yeah, and What's on second. And there have been dogs in relief all over the outfield.

 

[rbscebu]

The rules only state that the pitcher must "deliver the ball to the batter" so the determinant of strike or ball is whether or not the ball crosses the plate in the strike zone, irrespective of how it got there.

At least that is what I take from a cursory look at the actual rules.

#EDIT Correction:

So your answer would be:

1. No
2. Strike

 

[TexLaw]

The rules only state that the pitcher must "deliver the ball to the batter" so the determinant of strike or ball is whether or not the ball crosses the plate in the strike zone, irrespective of how it got there.

At least that is what I take from a cursory look at the actual rules.

#EDIT Correction:

Take a closer look. In order to be a strike, the ball has to pass through the strike zone "in flight," which means it's not hit the ground, and the comments clarify that does not include a ball that hits the ground and then bounces through the strike zone.

Baseball Rules: 2.00 Definitions of Terms

Baseball Rule Book: 2.00 Definitions of Terms

www.baseball-almanac.com

 

[silverlifter]

So your answer would be:

1. No
2. Strike

1. Ball
2. Ball

 

[rbscebu]

https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/atcjzj9j7wrgvsm8wnjq.pdf

“(3) If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a “ball.” If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of Rule 5.05(b) and 5.09(a)(3).”

So your answer is:

1. Yes
2. Ball

 

[silverlifter]

Take a closer look. In order to be a strike, the ball has to pass through the strike zone "in flight," which means it's not hit the ground, and the comments clarify that does not include a ball that hits the ground and then bounces through the strike zone.

Baseball Rules: 2.00 Definitions of Terms

Baseball Rule Book: 2.00 Definitions of Terms

www.baseball-almanac.com

Yes, you missed my correction. I don't know my way around the rule book

 

[TexLaw]

Your two answers are confusing to me. Do you mean that if a ball hits the ground before reaching the home plate and passes through the strike zone is considered a strike if the batter doesn't swing?

No. The opposite. That's a ball.

 

[rbscebu]

1. Ball
2. Ball

So you mean:

1. Yes
2. Ball

 

[JunkerJorge]

So your answer is:

1. Yes
2. Ball

It’s not my answer it’s the answer per the link I posted. I don’t know how to answer #1. Anything is a strike if the batter swings. But assuming the batter doesn’t swing hitting the ground automatically makes the pitch a ball. #2 is 100% a ball.

 

[Butch Waxx]

Who’s on 3rd!!!!!!️

 

[Whisky]

1. Yes, ball
2. Ball. Unless the batter swings.

 

[rbscebu]

Thank you gentlemen. The consensus for post #23 seems to be:

1. Yes
2. Ball (really not applicable)

 

[Butch Waxx]

Thank you gentlemen. The consensus for post #23 seems to be:

1. Yes
2. Ball (really not applicable)

Showers please!!!!!!

 

[Butch Waxx]

Showers please!!!!!!

And if you think this last little discussion is confusing….How about being at a game and all of a sudden a ghost runner appears on second base???

In 2022, baseball is bringing back the automatic runner in extra innings after support of the rule by players and managers. The rule was a byproduct of the COVID-19-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons, and places a runner on second base to begin each half-inning from the 10th inning onward.Apr 7, 2022

 

[JunkerJorge]

Thank you gentlemen. The consensus for post #23 seems to be:

1. Yes
2. Ball (really not applicable)

1. "does that (and that only) make it a 'ball'" : Yes, but it can be made a strike if the batter swings at the ball.
2. N/A. But if the batter swings it doesn't matter if the ball is in the strike zone or in the stands. So the skill of the pitcher (bowler?) is irrelevant.

 

[JunkerJorge]

And if you think this last little discussion is confusing….How about being at a game and all of a sudden a ghost runner appears on second base???

In 2022, baseball is bringing back the automatic runner in extra innings after support of the rule by players and managers. The rule was a byproduct of the COVID-19-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons, and places a runner on second base to begin each half-inning from the 10th inning onward.Apr 7, 2022

Please no.

 

[silverlifter]

places a runner on second base to begin each half-inning from the 10th inning onward.

Is that just to (potentially) boost the scores?

 

[Whisky]

Touchdown!!!! Wait, I confused myself.

 

[sanookd]

No pitcher (bowler) in his right mind would intentionally throw the ball in the dirt before it reaches the batter. The pitcher might try to lure the batter to swing at a bad pitch but rarely do they intentionally throw it the dirt.
As you might know baseball pitchers throw different pitches which make the ball move in ways which make it difficult to hit. They do this by different spin rates or no spin at all so the ball almost floats… knuckle ball
The biggest difference besides bouncing the ball in is cricket bowlers don’t break their arms at the elbow while throwing. Pitching a baseball is a completely different motion. And of course no run up to release the ball as in cricket. The baseball is thrown off a raised mound.

 

[Butch Waxx]

Is that just to (potentially) boost the scores?

I think Mantle and Billy Martin wanted that rule in there during the 50’s and 60’s so they could get the game over with ASAP before the bars closed…..