When a batter is hit with three balls is it ball four or a dead ball -- hit by pitch?
411345
It is HBP, and the ball is instantly dead. The count doesn't matter at the time. It's not a ball until the umpire calls it a ball, and he won't call it that because it hit the batter before it could get to the catcher.
998077
That would actually be four strikes, since the ball 'struck' him.  nyuk nyuk\n\nOf course, anyone who swings at a pitch that hits him deserves to be out...
642884
If he hits the ball, the batter is awarded three bases, however he can still try to score without peril.
898434
The dictionary defines pitch as a thrown baseball, so just to be interesting and argumentative(sorry it's my nature)...A baseball has been thrown 450ft, to do this the ball would have had to leave the "pitchers" hand at 120MPH\n\nLater:\nthere are two that don't believe in facts...LOL...At least check it out first! I quote my source as proof...
20007
Great question,\nread the link below to see that in 1871 it was just as you asked, but by 1886 the number of balls rose to 7. In early times the batter would request a high or low pitch and that is how the strike would be called. Foul balls were not strikes and a skilled batter could hold up the game fouling off pitches.Also a hit batter was credited with a ball not first base. The number of balls and Strikes to a batter to produce a result is a compromise. It makes it easier to get an out but at the same time pitchers can't go hitting batters willy nilly, and batters have to be careful when not swinging at close pitches.
1155627
OK single, single, single, double play, single, single; which = 5 hits and 2 outs. Then the next batter hits the ball which hits one of the base runners. A runner is out if hit by a batted ball in fair territory but the batter gets credit for a hit.
662231
As I stated last time this question was asked on this site:\n3rd last ball, batsman on strike hits a 4.\n2nd last ball, batsman on strike hits to the outfield, they run three however one batsman fails to ground his bat over the crease on the first or second run and the umpire calls it short and gives just 2 runs.  The non striker now has the strike.\nLast ball, batsman hits it for 6.  \n\nBoth batsman on 100.
624685
Each position on the field has a number .... when you here that string of numbers it tells you who touched the ball ... such as the short stop fielded the hit and threw it to the second baseman for an out who then threw it to the first baseman for an out.
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.
167219
Well, depending how theoretical you want to get.  There is an unenforced rule that a pitcher must throw a pitch within 20 seconds or a ball will be called.  He could do that 4 times, and a player would walk.  Then he could pick the player off.  The player would be out with 0 pitches.  Repeat 23 or 26 times, and you have a complete game without throwing a pitch.\n\nThe fact that the rule is not enforced is one problem with the scenario.  A player can also be out for changing which batter's box he stands in while the pitcher is ready to pitch.  So throw a few of those in there for variety's sake, and you get to 0 another way.
1009412
Here is the actual criteria:\nOnly a pitcher that finishes the game (and isn't awarded a win) may receive a save. They get a save if they meet any one of the following three conditions: \n\n1) Pitch three innings, \n2) Pitch one inning with their team leading by three runs or fewer, or \n3) Pitch when the tying or winning run is on base, at bat, or on deck.
178951
No it's not possible. Even if bases were loaded and the at bat player flys out, the third runner is the third out and the batter (a fourth out, you could say) doesn't count - three outs ends any inning.
1010137
numbers correspond to different positions on the field\n1 pitcher\n2 catcher\n3 first base\n4 second base\n5 third base\n6 short stop\n7 left field\n8 center\n9 right\n\nso a 6-3 is the shotstop throwing the runner out at first\na 6-4-3 double play is the shortstop throwing to second base and the second base throwing to first.....hope that helps!!
248835
Baseball rules are tricky because there are so many ways to itterpret them. This is what I've figured out so far...\n\nIf the ball bounces infront or is nowhere near the plate, it is considered a wild pitch (And believe me, there are jokers out there who will swing at something like that if they think it'll get em to first).\n\nIf the ball is caught by the catcher, the batter is just out. If the catcher drops the ball, it is considered just a passed ball *UNLESS* it is a third strike and results in a base. In that case, it is indeed an error on the catcher.
579613
There is no rule in MLB that says it is a strike. However it is common sense that a ball put in play is a strike. On an official pitch count there must be a determination of ball or strike for every pitched ball.  Thus a ball put in play is considered a strike.  Hope this helps!
1148869
It's a dead ball and the runner must return to previous base.
576662
in order for them to be out, they have to make contact with the ball.  it would just be a strike or a ball (depending on where the pitch is thrown)