I have seen a lot of games this year where the infielder gives up the run and throws to first.  Many times it seams that the throw will get to home plate if they just tried.
216166
To get the easy out. If they throw it home and they get safe that means the runner is on first and more runs could possibly come in
230571
A few reasons. 1). The five man rotation which cuts down a pitcher's starts to around 30-32 games a season. Up until the start of the 162 game era, pitchers could routinely pitch 38-40+ games a year. Cy Young started 906 games in his 20+ years as a pitcher. 2). To protect their multi-million $ investments, teams "baby" their pitchers so they rarely pitch on less than 3-4 days rest or throw in between starts. Which leads to 3). More time on the DL (and less starts) because they don't throw as much to build up arm strength and brings us to 4).The pitch count. You think Warren Spahn was ever pulled after throwing 110 pitches? Which gave birth to 5). The advent of the middle relief specialists. You can thank Tony LaRussa for bringing in a left handed reliever in the 7th to face one batter. Go 8 innings with the lead and you control your chance to win. Get pulled in the 6th or 7th and you leave it to a guy who couldn't cut it as a starter. A 20 game winner used to be the gold standard. Now it's 15. Who said today's players are much better than the players from the past?
386514
It's up to the umpire. Usually the runner is "safe" unless the ball was clearly on base before the runner. Any doubts means the runner gets the benefit of the doubt. \nCan't give you the rule- as it is now well over 10 years since I called a game
26520
For a home run or any other situation where a runner is entitled to a base but becaome sinjured (such as a balk or a ball thrown into the stands)  can come in for the injured (or dead) runner.\n\nOne key is that no runners behind the injured player can pass the injured player before time is called, or the runner will be out.\n\nHeres a case where it happened to Gabe Kapler of the Red Sox (not death, but crippling injury):\n\nhttp://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050914&content_id=1210004&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
269721
in sports there is never a good reason to give some one a cheap shot. and thats what it was. if he cant take getting hit, retire or move positions cause that happens when you catch. it has happened to aj before and for that fact almost every catcher in the majors and while i have seen them get in each others face but very rarily thrown a punch. its bush league on barretts part. everybody said it was cause aj slammed his hand on the plate barrett said he didnt even see him do that. so he is the punk ass
617250
This travesty is one of the few that still remain in sports today.  The league has cracked down on the changing strike zone and I know this will be worked on next year.  You are right on, though, it is a joke and a pity that they won't start making the call as it should be made as they do in all other levels of the sport!  Great question!
81088
The umpire is wrong.  The runner on third base will return to the bag. The runner from 2nd was called out. The hitter is credited with a base hit, and he is safe at first.\nPlay stops.  2 outs, 2 on base, next hitter please.
251925
A runner is NOT out if the ball first passes a fielder who has had a chance at fielding the ball.  The ball is alive and in play.
153904
it is interesting.... there are 2 persons in each team. they will ony bat and bowl. others will field. when they get out, certain runs are subtracted. and team batting second plays entire quota of overs, irrespective of whether thay have achieven their target or not. this is because, even after achieving the target, they can get out and loose runs....
279157
torontopartyguy...correct, the batter cannot run on a dropped third strike if first base is occupied...AND there are less than two outs.  With two outs the batter can run to first on a dropped third strike even if it is occupied...\nThe thing is, if the bases were loaded, the catcher would merely have to step on home plate to complete the force play there rather than risk chucking the ball into right field.
633276
It depends on whether they're using a pinch runner OR something called a courtesy runner.  Pinch runners are actually players that will go in for the player they're running for in the lineup, i.e. a replacement.\n\nCourtesy runners are typically for the pitcher and catcher, mainly to keep the pitcher from getting tired running the bases and the catcher to help speed up the game so he can get his gear on between innings.  (Rules state the time between innings should be limited to ONE MINUTE or eight pitches, whichever comes first).  When courtesy runners are used, to prevent the coach from simply picking his fastest runner, the player that can run should be the last batter who got out.  This explains why the boy who just struck out was the runner.
302783
First point, disagree. Not everybody knows how to slide properly. Even if they do, every time you slide into second, possible injury comes into play for the fielder and the runner.\n\nSecond point, umps already do. They make sure the player touches the bag, before they call him out.
16064
No, if the pitcher balks with runners on base the runners all advance one base, thereby leaving 1st base unoccupied.  The batter isn't awaraded a ball and first base.  He only recieves a ball if the bases are empty.\n\n"A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base."\n\n"A BATTER is an offensive player who takes his position in the batter's box."\n\n"BATTER RUNNER is a term that identifies the offensive player who has just finished his time at bat until he is put out or until the play on which he became a runner ends."\n\n"A RUNNER is an offensive player who is advancing toward, or touching, or returning to any base."\n\n" An ILLEGAL PITCH is (1) a pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate; (2) a quick return pitch. An illegal pitch when runners are on base is a balk"
356840
Wierd rule, but as someone who scores games, I understand it.\n\nThe catcher gets credit for a putout on a strikeout. If the catcher doesn't actually catch the ball, there can't really be a putout. The catcher than has to throw the batter out at first base and the person covering first gets the putout. The catcher gets an assist.
234620
They are not required to run to the base, they can try to beat it out.  If the catcher drops the ball or it goes wild on strike three then the player can advance to first.  It is to penalize the catcher and pitcher for not having made the play on the ball (basically if you can't keep control of a slider, breaking ball, or curve ball and it goes wild, the player who also missed the ball with the bat should get a chance at first)
653087
FYI - Stealing first (from second) is against the rules.  But that wasn't always the case.  I believe it was a game in the 30's where this rule came about.\n\nDetroit had runners on the corners and the double steal on.  The runner on first took off, but the catcher didn't make a throw and awarded second unchallenged.  Obviously the runner on third stayed put.  On the very next pitch the runner on second broke for FIRST BASE.  The catcher didn't know what to do, threw to second base, the second baseman tagged the bag, the runner on third ran home, the second baseman ran over to first and tagged the runner, and everyone scratched their heads to figure out what just happened.  \n\nUntil that moment there was no rule against going backward for no good reason.  As long as you don't cross paths with the runner behind you, it's not against the rules.  Also there is precendence for tagging one base and then running backward, like what you would do in the event of a fly ball caught on the fly after you already made it to the next base.  \n\nThe umpire on the spot made the ruling.  The runner on first was ruled out because he was tagged while standing on a base he wasn't allowed to occupy.  The runner on third was awarded home because no one tagged him.  The next day MLB rule book made a rule supporting the umpires actions.  After that day in the 30's it is against the rules to steal first base.  Any base, once tagged, cannot be returned to again if the runner has been awarded the next base in sequence.  \n\nThis covers fly balls since the runner is not awarded the next base until the ball hits the ground.\n\nSo going back from second wouldn't count anyway.
336999
I really dont think the homerun he gave up to Pujols was going to ruin him mentally. It wasnt the first time he blew a save. He's just going through a bad stretch like a lot of other closers go through. Mariano, arguably the best closer EVER, has had his bad stretches.