why do pichers pitch off of a mound?
604603
It helps the pitcher keep the ball down
105701
I played outfield. We had a coach who used to set a pitching machine at maximum speed from home plate to toss balls high into the outfield.  we had to stand and point to where the ball was going to land rather than run and catch it (that came later)  It was great practice for judging the flight of the ball and being able to anticipate where to run to catch the ball.
682313
It has happened before, but it is a rare event.  The problem with doing it is that you end up loosing more players, because, you bump the player at the position the pitcher goes to, and then have to bring in another player to play that position once he goes back on the mound.  \n\nAlso take into account the simple fact that pitching is just as much a mental as it is a physical thing, and that taking the pitcher out of the position even for a short time can cause him to loose that mental toughness.  Concentration is so critical for pitchers, and any inside game distraction such as asking them to play another position, even for just one batter, can break that concentration, causing them not to be as effective as normal.
509429
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)
523948
This happens when the baseball player has the option of getting the out in multiple places.  For example, a ball is hit to the short stop and there was a man on first.  In this case, the short stop could throw the ball to second or first base and get the out.
502317
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?
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.
547889
Basically, it's to prevent unfair play by the infielders.  Without the rule, an infielder could intentionally allow the ball to hit the ground, requiring the runner(s) on base to move forward.  It would then be easy to get a double play.
1129911
Watch the pitcher in a game when a runner is on base. Insted of keeping his heels on the rubber and taking his back step(windup step) and winding up his arms, he will turn and keep his push off foot on the rubber. This allows him to make a quick move if he has to throw to a base, and to watch the runner. You can't pick off a runenr from that position because once you start you have to throw home or it is a baulk and the runner advances. Any type of off speed pitch such as a curve ball, slider, sinker, knuckle ball, spliter, etc is a breaking ball. Basically anything but a fast ball and sometimes a cahnge up. I taught my brother a change up pitch that breaks so its still a breaking ball.
363081
the folks who said they're checking for scuff marks are correct.  Players don't mind if THEIR pitcher uses a scuffed ball, but they don't want the other team's pitcher to have that opportunity. So if the ball is scuffed, they'll toss it into the stands when the inning is over so that the umpire will be forced to supply a clean ball for the team coming up to bat.
1038420
Of course, but they would remain in the position of DH throughout the game. If they send their designated hitter into the field, however, then they would lose the DH and the pitcher would have to bat.
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.
909229
Pitch just means angle, or slope. You use a pitch when you build stairs, because you don't build them straight up and down. Same with a roof. It has a pitch so the rain rolls off.\nThe other questions are just arithmetic and you can do those yourself.
726661
It is a baseball term.\n\nWhen there are no runners on base, a pitcher "winds up" to make a pitch, using his whole body to put more speed on the ball.  However, if there are runners on-base, it is easier for them to steal a base if the pitcher "winds-up".  To prevent this, a pitcher will throw "from the stretch" or "out of the stretch" meaning that he makes much less of a motion before throwing the ball.
1019144
they do its called drop third strike. its just that in the mlb the catchers are smart enough to tag the batter after the thrid strike just in case
165654
I don't think they do it by games, I think they do it by innings - some games take longer than others, and sometimes a pitcher may only pitch part of a game (hence the distinction between SP and RP).  Your local AD would probably have that information.
816740
It is so the batter can see the ball off the pitcher's hand.  Notice that that area is usually painted a dark color to make it easier to see the ball.