Obscure Baseball Rules
Baseball has some very quirky and obscure rules. Its rules govern everything from ground rule triples and foul balls to base running assistance and balks.
-
Ground Rule Triples
-
A ground rule triple, in which three bases are awarded to a batter who hits a fair ball, can occur in one of two ways: A fielder deliberately touches the ball with his hat or mask in an attempt to catch the ball, or a fielder deliberately throws his glove at a fair ball (and/or a thrown glove hits a fair ball).
Pitching a Shutout
-
Baseball rule 10.9 (f) states that a pitcher will not be credited with pitching a shutout unless he completes the game. The second part of this rule states that if a pitcher enters the game in the first inning with no outs before the opposing team scores and gets out of the inning without a run scored and then pitches the rest of the game without giving up a run he shall be credited with a shutout.
-
Base Running Assistance
-
Baseball rule 5.10 states that if an accident happens to a runner that prevents him from proceeding to a base to which he is entitled (such as on a home run), a substitute runner shall be permitted to complete the play.
Fair and Foul Balls
-
If a ball is hit in fair territory and then it touches foul territory before it crosses first or third base, the ball is foul. If a player interferes with a fair ball so that it goes foul it is ruled a fair ball.
Batting Out of Order
-
Baseball rule 6.01 (a) states the each team must give to the head umpire a written batting order. This order must be strictly followed unless the manager notifies the head umpire of a change in the batting order. A violation of this rule is known as batting out of order.
-