If you step up to the plate; do you ever wonder why there is a ladder in front of home plate?
967246
Ok, all puns aside. You strike me as a very educated man. Obviously you missed a class here. It happens to all of us. Why just last week I missed a class in.......well, never mind. So back to you question. \n\nUntil 1903, all ball parks were not built to a common standard. Some were flat, some were build on hillsides. The most famous Hilly (as it was called) was in North Carolina. Due to the extensive coal mining in the area, sink holes would appear. (interesting to note that there are many Sinks in the phone book) on a regular basis. The sometimes steep slope combined with the randomly  occurring sink holes, necessitated the use of a ladder quite often.\n\nWith the introduction of a common standard of a flat field, the ladder was no longer needed. But the terminology stayed. \n\nNot to disparage the previous answerers, but they have a few facts wrong.  \n\nWe must all be diligent so as not to impugn the true history of the wonderful game we love. \n\nI hope I have helped.
316070
For what purpose - give me more info and I will post a reply.  Remember ladders have an inherent problem in terms of escape as they require a designed area to get on them and some bodily capability to use them.
556602
what's this have to do with baseball?
224187
Lol..why is this in the baseball section?
644404
The most unneeded thing in a stadium is that concrete field in Montreal.  I know they don't use it anymore but it is still standing.  I remember watching an Expos game against the Braves and Chipper Jones hit a sky high ball and the outfielder lost it in the lights and when the ball came down, it bounced so high that Chipper was at 3rd base by the time they were able to field the ball.  If you are talking about current stadiums is Petco Park's gaps.  Those things are like a mile away from the plate and 422 in the Left Center gap is absolutely ridiculous.  Second is that hill in Center Field in Houston which is also a ridiculous number of feet away from the plate.
630643
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.
557282
Does this have to do with baseball?
64296
A walk-off home run is a home run which ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the 9th inning or the bottom of any extra inning. It is called a "walk-off" home run because the teams walk off the field immediately afterward. Sportscasters will also use the term "walk-off double" or other such terms if such a hit drives in the winning run to end the game
523682
Yes. Unless you are a Major league baseball player. They are the only ones allowed to do this.
1074536
Free souvenir!  Not many baseball fans can say they have an actual game ball.  It's a treasure to a lot of them.\n\nI was at a Cubs game behind home plate and just sat down.  A foul ball came up and over the fence and landed right in front of me.  I was so shocked, before I realized it some kids ran past me and grabbed it :(
446568
They don't always slide -- if they are coming in and there will clearly be no play at the plate, the runner will go across standing up. The slide is used when the ball comes home to the catcher so the runner can try to avoid the tag.
1001865
They are easier to swing because they are lighter. and the surface also recoils off the ball better and makes the ball travel much faster after a hit.  They dont use them in MLB because pros would cruch the balls with them and could also potentally hurt pitchers
1115133
They change balls really often.  It's because they're worried about the ball being scuffed or damaged during the game.  The ump wants to ensure that the game isn't swayed in favor of either team.
515101
it is called the infield, but the reason the path is there is because of the constant torture the grass receives from the catcher going to the mound to talk to the pitcher. a lot of field maintenance crews determined it was an easier fix than trying to keep the grass green and full when its being trampled on for 6 months
576722
they do it to show support for their players. its a sign of defending them, sticking up for them. also if it was a bad call then it puts pressure on the umpire to pay better attention
340447
Is this a trick baseball question in disguise?
586287
He should have the highest or close to it OBP on the team that is why he is leadoff. If he get on base to start the game then most likely he will score first to take the lead.  But it also depends on the lineup of the team.  Works well if the 2nd & 3rd batters do their job and advance him.  Almost the same as the "cleanup" batter.