Baseball rule question

[fr]

Why does this baseball rule exist?

 

[HardcoreRobot]

why does baseball exist?

 

[ddviper]

Give him one last false hope and to keep the fielders on their feet......i have no idea, true it is a stupid rule

-Got 1920's laws?

 

[chuckywang]

If the batter swings AND the ball is not caught AND first base is open, then it counts as a strikeout for the pitcher, but for it to be an out, you have to either tag the batter or throw to first for the force out.

This is how some pitchers get 4 strikeouts in an inning.

This is also how the whole AJ Pierzynski controversy in the ALCS last year came about. The umpire, Doug Eddings, ruled that catcher Josh Paul did not cleanly catch the pitch. (Replays showed that Paul did indeed catch it, although it was a close play.)

 

[KillerCharlie]

Hey, at least there are less rules than cricket.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: fr
Why does this baseball rule exist?

Because you must have control of the ball to record an out.

If the catcher drops the ball he does not have control of the ball. Therefore home plate is safe and the batter has an opportunity to take first base. If the batter has posession of first before the defense does he is safe.

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: fr
Why does this baseball rule exist?

Because you must have control of the ball to record an out.

If the catcher drops the ball he does not have control of the ball. Therefore home plate is safe and the batter has an opportunity to take first base. If the batter has posession of first before the defense does he is safe.

Home plate is not "safe". You can still tag the batter for the out.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
If the batter swings AND the ball is not caught AND first base is open, then it counts as a strikeout for the pitcher, but for it to be an out, you have to either tag the batter or throw to first for the force out.

This is how some pitchers get 4 strikeouts in an inning.

This is also how the whole AJ Pierzynski controversy in the ALCS last year came about. The umpire, Doug Eddings, ruled that catcher Josh Paul did not cleanly catch the pitch. (Replays showed that Paul did indeed catch it, although it was a close play.)

:thumbsup:, Good explanation.

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Hey, at least there are less rules than cricket.

Fewer

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: fr
Why does this baseball rule exist?

Because you must have control of the ball to record an out.

If the catcher drops the ball he does not have control of the ball. Therefore home plate is safe and the batter has an opportunity to take first base. If the batter has posession of first before the defense does he is safe.

I believe this is correct.