I know closers come in at the end of a baseball game but what specifically is ruled as a save in baseball?
353586
According to the official MLB rules book:\n\nSAVES FOR RELIEF PITCHERS \n10.20\nCredit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions: (1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and (2) He is not the winning pitcher; and (3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions: (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces); or (c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.
729838
If it hits the pither on the foot it is like hitting no one since there is no pither on the team BUT if it hits the pitcher on the foot the following rule from mlb rule book applies.  Key is if there is stilll a possible play by another infielder (in the umpire's judgement)\n\n If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, and touches a runner immediately back of him, or touches the runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball. In making such decision the umpire must be convinced that the ball passed through, or by, the fielder, and that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball. \n\nHope this helps
1094763
Depends on how the umpire views it, per Rule 6.05(h):\n\n6.05 A batter is out when-\n\n(h) After hitting or bunting a fair ball, his bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. If the batter runner drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire's judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play; If a bat breaks and part of it is in fair territory and is hit by a batted ball or part of it hits a runner or fielder, play shall continue and no interference called. If batted ball hits part of broken bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a whole bat is thrown into fair territory and interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play, interference shall be called, whether intentional or not. In cases where the batting helmet is accidently hit with a batted or thrown ball, the ball remains in play the same as if it has not hit the helmet. If a batted ball strikes a batting helmet or any other object foreign to the natural ground while on foul territory, it is a foul ball and the ball is dead. If, in the umpire's judgment, there is intent on the part of a baserunner to interfere with a batted or thrown ball by dropping the helmet or throwing it at the ball, then the runner would be out, the ball dead and runners would return to last base legally touched.
74090
Baseball is played for nine innings.  Each inning has a top and a bottom, the home team always batting in the bottom.  If, at the end of the top of the ninth the home team is winning, the game is over.  All they can do is add to their lead, so there is no need to continue the game.  The home team won.  If, however, there is a tie at the end of the ninth, extra innings will be played.  The game will not end until a team has a better score at the end of any given inning.  These rules have never been any different to my knowledge.
184219
If I remember correctly from my umpiring days, if a defensive player throws any part of his equipment at a batted ball and it makes contact, the batter and runners are awarded 3 bases, (It's the only 3 base award, and the most  severe) but the ball is still alive, and the batter can try to take home on his own if he/she wishes.  It doesn't matter on the park or the league, it is not an individual ground rule.\n\nFrom the baseball rule book:\n\n7.05\nEach runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance...(b) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril;  c) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.
1124851
Rest your pen, have the pitcher bunt, save the pinch hitter for later in the game. If your pitcher has that low pitch count and has given up only 5 hits, leave him in at least one more inning. If all goes right, you've got 2nd and 3rd w/2 outs and still have your starter on the mound. Just have your runners moving on the pitch to avoid DP.
1005827
The losing pitcher is the one who is in the game when the the run scores that puts the winning team ahead for the remainder of the game.\n\nEx.  if a pitcher gives up a run in the first and is removed, and the final score is 15-8, as long as the scre was neve tied, that pitcher is the losing pitcher.  May not be fair but that's the rule.
1142957
http://www.mlb.com/rules
759675
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
304816
No, do not tamper with the rules of baseball!  If they emulated the new hockey rules, we could see a situation like if a game were tied at the end of nine innings, they'd have three extra innings, then, if it were still tied, a homerun derby to determine the winner of the game!  (just like the new shootout after a five-minute overtime in hockey).  NO WAY!
1137359
at the end of the game
541003
Official rules may be reviewed at the website below.\n\nBut as for your questions-\n\nA ball is used until it is worn as determined by the umpires- but in the Majors- is often lost due to foul balls.\n\nNo- very unlike cricket- the baseball CANNOT be tampered with in any shape or form but the natural occurrences of play (I.e.- the ball scuffs on the grass on a grounder and then is returned to the pitcher).  \n\nRules prohibit such means (scuffing spitting)- as pitchers in the past have tried to use Vaseline on their caps, sandpaper on their gloves, or other means- all will get ejections from the game (if caught).\n\nAs for teams using the same balls- yes.  After the 3rd out is made, the ball that made the last out is oftentimes returned to the pitchers mound to use the next inning.\n\nHope that helps!
771307
Any pitcher who substitutes for the starting pitcher. \nThere's usually 11-12 pitchers to a team. 5 are starters and the rest are relievers. You've got the middle relievers for games where the game is out of reach or there's an injury, then set-up men for late inning (7-9 inn's) relief and the closer, who comes in the last inning to shut the other team down if it's close (3-4 run lead) and if he holds them, he gets a save. Sometimes he'll come in if it's tied in the 9th, too. \nRelievers are a huge part of the game today because there's way more good/powerful hitting now and way less good pitching.\nHope that helps.
437705
A walk off Run means that it is the end of the game. It can only happen for the home team because they are the last up to bat. It happens in the top of the ninth inning or in extra innings of the game is tied. If the game is tied at this time, if a player hits a homer or a run to score it is called a walk off homer or run because it ends the game.
538086
A game becomes "official" after the fifth inning is complete.  So, if the rain begins after the eighth inning is over but before the ninth inning begins, the officials can call the game and the team leading will be declared the winner.  However, if the inning has already begun then it must be finished.
688788
If a batted ball contacts a base umpire while in fair territory, it can be one of two things;\n\n1. If it has passed an infielder, (other than the pitcher) or has touched a fielder (including the pitcher), ball is live play on.\n\n2. If it has not passed an infielder, or another fielder has a possible play, the ball becomes dead, the batter is awarded first base, and any other runners would advance one base only if forced to do so.
539205
It means hold. It's when a pitcher comes into a game in a save situation and doesn't blow the save...but leaves before the game ends and doesn't get a save. This is the stat category to "judge" a setup pitcher.