What constitutes a hold in Major League Baseball?
372043
It follows the rules for save opportunities. holds occur only when a save is recorded. the relief pitchers that pitched before the closer get holds. when a pitcher comes in relief of a game where you are leading by 3 or less, which is ruled a save opportunity, and you keep that lead for your closer until youre replaced by him you get a hold. if more than one relief pitcher chips in with "holding" the lead, they all get holds. set up men are most likely to get holds.
1028578
Greetings from the Yahoo Brain in New York City!  \nHope you're watching the live Answers webcast at http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html !\n\n\nA pitcher need not be a closer, nor must it be the ninth inning, to blow a save.\n\nIf a pitcher comes in as a reliever in a save situation, meaning that the tie, winning, or go-ahead run are either on base, at-bat, or on deck, then he is eligible to earn a Blown Save.  If he allows any of those runs to score (even if it's just the run that ties the game), he has blown the save.  If he doesn't and he preserves the lead, he will earn a Hold if he is a middle reliever, and a Save if he closes it out.\n\nIt's important to note that many 7th and 8th inning specialists, who are not in a position to earn a Save, can, however be charged with a Blown Save.  Not fair, but hey, that's life.  Or baseball.\n\nHope this helps!\n\n--J.
371840
I disagree with everyone, you cannot take a pitcher out ANY time you want. You can only take them out after they have finished pitching to one player. The ONLY exception is if the pitcher gets injured and must be taken out. In that case, the new pitcher inherits the count that the replaced pitcher left with.\n\nIt's the same way with batting. You can't inherit a 3 ball 0 strike count and replace him with a hitter who will mash the next pitch (99% of the time a fastball) over the fence.
442165
4 if the bases are empty. And now for an explanation which no one else supplied: In order to get a save, the man "in the hole" (3rd to bat) has to represent the tying run or better (so the man on deck or at the plate could also represent the tying run).
1076831
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher if he enters in a save situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game without having relinquished that lead.
304803
Yes, it's the same as if the 2nd baseman or shortstop grabs a ground ball and steps on the base.  When the player has control of the ball it essentially becomes a part of his body.  Any part of him could touch the base and the runner would be called out.
240183
Here you go taken straight from the MLB rule book (Rule 10.04 Runs Batted In).\n\nRUNS BATTED IN \n10.04\n(a) Credit the batter with a run batted in for every run which reaches home base because of the batter's safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out or fielder's choice; or which is forced over the plate by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full (on a base on balls, or an award of first base for being touched by a pitched ball, or for interference or obstruction).\n\n(b) Do not credit a run batted in when the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse force double play. \n\nSee the link below for the full details.
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.
405389
this is easy enough, these people are making it more difficult than it really is.\n\nIm not sure if your just talking about Earned Runs, or the ERA, which is the earned run average... so i will describe both.\n\na run is "earned" when the run is scored without the assistance of a fielding error.  so all runs are earned unless the runner has reached base by error, or a runner was allowed to score by error.  \n\nNow Earned Run Average (ERA) is figured out by dividing the amount of earned runs by the amount of innings pitched, then multiplying by 9 innings.  For Example...\n\nIf a starting pitcher pitches 5 innings, allowing 1 run... you take (1/5) and that equals 0.2.  Then you take 0.2 x 9 innings and get an era of 1.80 ERA.  \n\nHope that helped!
449348
A player taken in the rule 5 draft...  See explanation below:\n\nThe process doesn't shake baseball's rafters, but it does add a wrinkle to the player-development game that's worth understanding. Every once in a while, a player makes a significant impact after being chosen, Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente in 1954 being the classic example. \n\nThe Rule 5 draft has been a staple of the Winter Meetings almost from its beginning and sprung up as a method to prevent teams from stockpiling talent in their minor league systems. Players not on major league rosters would otherwise have little or no chance to find an opportunity to play elsewhere, though that restriction was further eased in the 1980s when minor leaguers got the right to become free agents after six full seasons. \n\nMajor league teams must protect players on their 40-man rosters within three or four years of their original signing. Those left unprotected are available to other teams as Rule 5 picks. \n\nPlayers who were 18 or younger on June 5 preceding the signing of their first contract must be protected after four minor league seasons. Players 19 and older must be protected after three seasons. \n\nBut here's the kicker: To prevent teams from drafting players willy-nilly, each Rule 5 pick must be kept in the major leagues the entire following season or be offered back to his former team for half of the $50,000 selection price. Few players are ready for such a jump, so only about 10-15 get picked each year. Fewer still last the whole season in the big leagues. \n\n"They have to keep a guy for the whole year, so a lot of teams are safe," says Paul Snyder, the Braves' director of scouting and player development. "But there have been kids drafted out of A-ball. \n\n"A few years ago (in 1984) Toronto got two guys (Lou Thornton and Manny Lee) who could pinch-run and play defense. They're easier to carry in the American League because there aren't as many pitching changes." \n\nOther miscellaneous Rule 5 rules and tidbits: \n\nThe "Rule 5" moniker comes from its place in the Professional Baseball Agreement. The June draft, for instance, is Rule 4. \nTeams must file their 40-man rosters by Nov. 20, and only those not at the full allotment of 40 may select players. \nTeams select in reverse order of that season's finish, with the American and National leagues alternating the No. 1 pick from year to year. The Twins have the first pick this year, followed by the Marlins (who can't pick as their roster stands at 40). \nSince 1950, selections have included a low of three players in 1974 and a high of 24 in 1994. The selection price was increased in 1985 to $50,000 from $25,000. \nThere are Triple-A and Double-A segments of the Rule 5 draft, with price tags of $12,000 and $4,000 respectively. Minor league players not protected on the reserve lists at the Double-A and Class A levels are subject to selection, but almost no future big leaguers emerge from this process. It's basically a tool for major league teams to fill out affiliates rather than obtain talent. \nIn 1988, the Braves drafted a player from themselves. They neglected to protect righthander Ben Rivera on the 40-man roster, had the first pick in the draft and took him. \nPlayers from the 1998 Rule 5 draft to stick all year include Pirates lefthander Scott Sauerbeck, Blue Jays catcher Alberto Castillo (acquired this month in a trade from the Cardinals) and Astros outfielder Glen Barker.
473250
It is a home run that ends the game.  The term "walk-off" comes from the days of Lou Gehrig.  After he hit a three-run home run to win a game for the Yankees his teammates walked-off the field, into the dug-out, and into the locker room.  They did this before rounding the bases and touching home plate.  All the runs were scored and the umpire called the game before Gehrig himself could even make his way to home.
586878
There is no such thing as a tie. The rule states that the runner has to beat the throw to first, that leaves it as a judgment call by the umpire. The following is taken from a chat with Tim McLellan who is a professional umpire:\n\nI am an umpire for Little League. The coach told me that ties go to the runner. I said the batter has to beat the throw to first because there are no such thing as ties. Who is right?\n-- L.M.F.\n\nMcClelland: That is exactly right. There are no ties and there is no rule that says the tie goes to the runner. But the rule book does say that the runner must beat the ball to first base, and so if he doesn't beat the ball, then he is out. So you have to make the decision. That's why umpires are paid the money they are, to make the decision on if he did or if he didn't. The only thing you can do is go by whether or not he beat the ball. If he did, then he is safe.
358488
In baseball statistics the term save (abbreviated SV, or sometimes, S) is used to indicate the successful maintenance of a lead by a relief pitcher, usually the closer, until the end of the game. A save is credited to a pitcher who fulfills the following three conditions:\n\nThe pitcher is the last pitcher in a game won by his team; \nThe pitcher is not the winning pitcher (for instance, if a starting pitcher throws a complete game win); \nThe pitcher fulfills at least one of the following three conditions: \nHe comes into the game with a lead of no more than three runs, and pitches at least one full inning. \nHe comes into the game with the potential tying run being either on base, at bat, or on deck. In other words, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batters he faces. \nHe pitches at least three "effective" innings (this is the only subjective criterion and is judged by the official scorer). \nIf the pitcher surrenders the lead at any point, he cannot get a save, even if his team comes back to win. No more than one save may be credited in each game.\n\nIf a relief pitcher satisfies all the criteria for a save, except he does not finish the game, he will often be credited with a hold.\n\nSave rules have changed over the years; the above rules are taken from the Official Baseball Rules 2004.\n\nThe save is defined in Section 10.20 of Major League Baseball Official Rules. The statistic was formally introduced in 1969, although research has identified saves earned prior to that point.\n\nA blown save (abbreviated BS) is charged to a pitcher who enters a game in a situation which permits him to earn a save (a 'save situation'), but who instead allows the tying run (and perhaps the go-ahead run) to score. As with any other similar situation, if the pitcher's team does not come back to win the game, said pitcher will be charged with both the loss and a 'blown save.' The blown save is not an officially recognized statistic, but many sources keep track of them. Blown saves have been tracked since 1988. Once a pitcher blows a save, he is no longer eligible to earn a save in that game (since the lead that he was trying to "save" has disappeared), although he can earn a win if his team regains the lead. For this reason, most closers' records include few wins. Closers make the majority of their appearances with their team ahead, so a win usually includes a blown save.\n\nIf a pitcher enters a game in a save situation (for a team leading by three runs or less) in an inning which is not the last (e.g. in a regulation 9-inning home game, pitching the top of the 8th), and his team later scores one or more run(s) to extend their lead beyond three runs, then as long as the same pitcher pitches until the end of the game, he is still credited with the save. As the various roles of relief pitchers have changed since the 1960s, closers who often pitch two or more innings have become increasingly rare; although exceptions remain.\n\nA pitcher also cannot create his own save situation. For instance, if he enters the game with a lead too large for a save, he would not make himself eligible for a save by surrendering enough runs to contract the lead to within save range. It must be a save situation when he enters the game, or he will not be able to earn one.
946566
It's covered under Rule 5.08 of the official MLB rules:\n\n"If a thrown ball accidentally touches a base coach, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play. However, if the coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner is out."\n\nSo, play would continue as normal assuming the coach didn't purposely interfere with the ball.
1071567
Actually there is a rule in little league baseball, the rule was implented in 2005.  It's listed below:\n\nRULE 7.14(little league rulebook)\n\nOnce each inning a team may utilize a player who is not in the batting order as a special pinch-runner for any offensive player. A player may only be removed for a special pinch runner one time during a game. The player for whom the pinch-runner runs  is not subject to removal from the lineup. If the pinch-runner remains in the game as a substitute defensive or offensive player, the player may not be used again as a pinch runner while in the batting order. However, if removed for another substitute that player or any player not in the lineup, is again eligible to be used as a pinch runner.
935007
No but if the batter on deck is the tieing runn he would be eligible to get the save.\nTwodog read the rules  pasted them here for you.\n\nCredit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions: \n(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and\n(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and\n(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:\n(a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or\n(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\n(c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.
696501
The official rule (don't know number) is that a pinch runner can be placed in your spot to finish running and stay in game. If there is a runner or runners on base and one of them gets hurt, a pinch runner can replace them but any runner after them cannot pass them on the base path, if this happens the base runner that was passed is out and that runners run does not count, the real bummer is if the past runner is the third out and even the hitter that hit the home run gets screwed because his home run does not count, only the runs that crossed before the third out,