Since the early days of this century, "Knotty Problems of Baseball" has enjoyed a great popularity among fans, players and umpires. It has become a valuable "case book" on baseball rules. Although our National Pastime is basically a simple game, occasionally there arise unusual situations which confuse spectators and participants alike. In some cases, the solution can be obtained directly from the rules; in others, the problem is not specifically covered by the rules and an intelligent interpretation is required.
Recognizing the need for guidelines on puzzling plays, the late Billy Evans devoted a chapter of his book, How to Umpire, to a feature called "Knotty Problems." As an American League umpire from 1904 to 1927 and later a front-office official of the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers and president of the Southern Association, Evans was eminently qualified to rule on unusual diamond situations. Evans, who died in 1956, also compiled the first edition of Knotty Problems of Baseball published by The Sporting News in 1949. The book has been revised and reprinted several times since.
Aspects of baseball, such as players, field, equipment, starting and ending the game, batting out of order, substitutions, batter’s rights and restrictions, stikeouts, walks, fair or foul balls, legal outs, advancing on the bases, returning on the bases, interference and obstruction, force plays, balks and illegal pitches, are problems. Here we try to explain the two most misunderstood rules; appeal plays and the infield fly.
Appeal Plays
There are five kinds of appeals: 1. Failure of a runner to tag up after a fly is caught. 2. Missing a base while advancing or returning. 3. Failure of the batter-runner to return to first base immediately after overrunning or oversliding. 4. Failure to touch home plate. 5. Batting out of order. It is important to remember the umpire is merely a judge in these cases-he can make no ruling or call attention to an infraction. The defensive team must make the proper appeal.
Appeal made after one-pitch interval
The sixth batter bats in the fifth spot and triples. The fifth batter comes to the plate and takes ball one before an appeal is made. Who is out?
No one. The appeal on a wrong batter must be made before a pitch is delivered to the following batter (on either team). The pitch made the hit legal.
Batter walks, ruled out for missing first
With two out and the bases loaded, ball four is a wild pitch which rolls back to the screen. After retrieving the ball, the catcher heaves it into left field trying for a play at third. All three runners score and the batter reaches second. At this point the first baseman calls for the ball, touches first and appeals that the batter-runner missed first. He is upheld by the umpire. Do the runs count?
No. By walking, the batter is entitled to first base, but his act of missing the base while advancing forfeited his right to advance without liability to be put out. No runs would score since the third out was the batter-runner who, in effect, never reached first safely. The same ruling would apply if the batter-runner had missed first after getting a safe hit.
Base runner slides home, misses plate
On a fly to short center, the runner tries to score from third, but a strong throw beats him by several feet. The runner slides around the catcher and not only avoids the tag but misses the plate by at least a foot. Hoping to bluff it out, the runner nonchalantly starts for the dugout, but the backstop starts chasing him. Trying to avoid the catcher, the runner circles around him while trying to get back to the plate. What should the umpire do?
Since the runner has not left "a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged," he has the right to attempt to return to the plate. However, the catcher simply should have ignored him, stepped on the plate before he returned and appealed to the umpire that the runner missed the plate.
Run scores as appeal retires side
There are men at first and third with one out. The hitter's long blast to right field prompts the runner at third to tag up and hold, but the runner on first figures the ball won't be caught and takes off. As he rounds second, the outfielder makes a sensational catch and the runner on third races home. The other runner, in a rush to return to first, fails to retouch second. The opponents tag the bag and appeal. The runner is called out, retiring the side. Does the run count?
Yes, the run counts on this freak double play since the third out is not a force out and the runner had crossed the plate before it was completed.
Effect of failure to touch on next runner
With a teammate on first and one out, the batter hits a long drive and races to an inside-the-park homer. The runner at first, however, failed to touch second base en route to the plate. The second baseman spots this miss, tags the bag and appeals. Does the homer count?
The homer stands. When a runner misses a base, succeeding runnes are not affected by the error-unless, of course, the appeal results in the third out. In the latter case, a succeeding runner cannot score when a preceding runner is declared out for such failure.
Appeal does not prohibit batter-runner's advance
With two out, the batter hits a sharp grounder through the middle, but the shortstop makes a nice stop and his throw beats the runner by a foot. As he crosses the bag, the first sacker drops the ball. The runner, though, doesn't realize this and heads for his position. Alerted by the coach as he trots away, the runner knows he can't get back to first so breaks for second base. The first baseman ignores him, tags the bag and appeals to the umpire. Is this a proper appeal?
No. Because the runner attempted to advance to second base, he must be retired by a tag before reaching the bag. If he had continued toward his position in the field, the appeal would have been proper.
New ball put in play to permit appeal
The score is tied in the last half of the ninth inning when the batter delivers a two-out drive to deep left. While he is trying for third base, the relay throw goes wild and into the stands, allowing him to score the apparent winning run. However, the defensive team promptly asks the plate umpire for a new ball, claiming the runner failed to touch second base. What is the proper procedure?
The umpire should give the defense the new ball. Before any play can be made, the pitcher must take his place on the rubber to put the ball legally in play and the umpire must call "Play." The pitcher then can throw to second base for the tag and appeal. If the umpire saw the runner miss the base, he should rule him out, retiring the side and nullifying the apparent deciding run.
Runner tags second, retreats, advances again
A double steal is attempted with one out. The runner is safe easily at second, but the catcher's throw reaches third far ahead of the front man, who stops short of the bag and is caught in a hot box between third and second. The runner who is on second hustles back toward first. As he retraces his steps, a wild throw goes into right field. On the error, the runner again changes directions and is able to score, but misses second base on his dash to home. Was he obligated to touch second base a second time?
Yes. The runner must touch each base in proper order, whether advancing or returning on the base paths. He was obligated to retouch second and is therefore subject to being retired upon appeal.
Team leaves field, then lodges appeal
There are men on first and second with one out when the batter hits a pop fly to short center. Both runners, figuring the ball will drop, take off, but the swift center fielder makes a sensational shoe-string catch. The runner from second scores, but the throw to first doubles up that runner and retires the side. The defensive team is walking off the field to the dugout when they realize the run counts unless they tag second base and appeal. Rushing onto the field, the first baseman grabs the ball and tags second. Is the run erased?
The run stands since the team left the field before appealing. The rules state the defensive team is off the field when the pitcher and all infielders have left fair territory on their way to the bench.
Appeal at second ends inning but runs count
The bases are loaded with two out when the batter raps a long drive over the center fielder's head. Three runs score and the batter reaches third but fails to touch second and is called out on appeal. How many runs score?
All three count and the batter is credited with a single.
Runner from third out, following runner scores
On a fly ball to left, a runner-eager to score-leaves third base before the catch and dashes in safely. The outfielder's throw to home gets away from the catcher and another runner, who had tagged up at second properly, races home on the error. The defense appeals the play at third and the umpire rules the runner is retired, making the second out of the inning. Does this affect the runner who scored from second?
Not at all. The umpire's call simply results in the second out and the succeeding runner is not affected. On the other hand, if this had been the third out rather than the second, the appeal would retire the side and the run would not have counted.
Balk constitutes play, nullifies appeal
A runner is on first with two out when the batter slugs a double, putting runners at second and third. As the pitcher toes the rubber, he balks, a run scoring and the other runner moving to third. When the pitcher again takes the rubber, the first baseman calls for the ball and appeals that the batter who doubled had missed first. The umpire knows the bag was missed. How should he rule?
Even though no pitch has been made since the double, the umpire should deny the appeal. The rules specify that an appeal must be made before the "next pitch OR any play or attempted play." The balk constitutes a play.
Team fails to designate runner in appeal
The batter hits a triple, scoring a runner from first who misses second base en route to the plate. The defensive players, however, fail to see the runner miss the bag. Alerted by the bench, the defense takes the ball, tags second base and appeals -but fails to designate which runner missed the base. The umpire refuses to make a call. Is this proper action on his part?
No. The umpire should have asked the fielder to identify the runner on which the appeal was being made. If the fielder then specified the wrong runner no further appeal on the runner who in fact missed the base would be allowed at that base.
Baseball’s Trickiest Rules Made Easy
The long off-season can make you a little hazy when it comes to remembering players’ nicknames, their slugging percentages with runners on third, and even (gasp!) the rules themselves. To get you up to speed, here’s a quick refresher course.
The Infield Fly Rule
You’re a third baseman saddled with runners on first and second, and you’ve got fewer than two outs. Next batter pops it up. Easy out…but if there were no infield fly rule, you could let the ball bounce and then pick it up, tag third, and toss it to second for a freebie double play. To nip that shit in the bud, the infield fly rule declares any infield pop-up in this situation an automatic out—regardless of whether it’s caught—and requires that runners hold their positions.
The Ground Rule Double
Contrary to what you may think, this rule changes according to the ballpark. Before every game, the managers and umpires meet at home plate and review the field’s idiosyncrasies. When an in-play ball strikes a declared out-of-play obstacle, bounces over the fence, or rolls under a rain tarp, the batter is awarded a double.
The balk
When a pitcher is standing on the rubber, he’s announcing to the batter and the base runners that he’s about to pitch. If he changes his mind and wants to attempt a pick-off, he must take a step directly toward the intended base, clearly indicating he’s no longer pitching. If he does anything else—moves toward home and throws to first, fakes a throw to first, even simply drops the ball—he’s committing a balk. If the balk is called, all runners advance one base.
Runner Interference/Defensive Obstruction
You see “offensive interference” calls when base runners try to break up double plays. Say you’ve got a player on first with fewer than two outs. A ground ball’s hit to the shortstop, who flips it to the second baseman for the force-out. But the second baseman is upended by the runner and can’t make the throw to complete the D.P. If the ump thinks the runner went out of his way to topple the second baseman, he’s out, and so is the hitter running to first. On the defensive side, the second baseman can only impede a runner’s progress if he’s making a play on him or trying to catch the shortstop’s throw. It all comes down to the umpire’s judgment. But few umps like to make judgment calls, since they result in irate managers and lots of swearing.
Runner misses plate, but can't return
With two out, a triple clears the bases. The runner who had been on third, however, misses the plate. After his two teammates score, he returns to touch home. Seeing this, the catcher calls for the ball and appeals. What should the umpire rule?
The appeal should be upheld. The runner cannot return to touch a missed base after succeeding runners have legally touched the plate. This represents the third out, so no runs count.
"Fourth out" erases legally-scored runs
The bases are loaded with two out when the batter hits safely to right. Two runners score, but the third man overruns third base and is tagged in a rundown. The batter advances to second but misses first base en route. The first baseman notes the mistake, calls for the ball and appeals. The umpire calls the batter out. Do the two runs count?
No. If an appeal play develops during the same play in which the third out is made, the appeal takes precedence. In this case, the appeal play is upheld and the batter becomes the "fourth out:" Since he never legally ad vanced to first base, the runs are nullified.
Appeal results in force play to retire side
With the bases loaded and one out, the batter grounds to the third baseman, who steps on third for a force play. Trying to nail the runner heading for the plate, he throws wildly, permitting two runners to score and the batter to reach second. Then the second sacker calls for the ball and appeals that the runner from first missed second base. The umpire agrees. How many runs count?
No runs score since this was really a force out at second base. No runs can score when the third out is a force play.
Infield Fly
The Infield Fly rule is designed to protect runners from the trickery of the defensive team, which without this regulation, could turn easy pop flies into double plays with great regularity. The Infield Fly rule can be invoked only when there are less than two out and both first and second bases are occupied or the bases are loaded. It is important to remember that the ball is not dead on a call of "Infield Fly!" The runners are permitted to advance at their own risk.
Player out of position on pop-up
With runners at first and second and none out, the batter hits a low pop-up toward second base. But the second baseman, who had been busy holding the runner on base, is out of position. Dashing in at full speed, he dives for the ball and misses. Although the umpire makes no call, the runners feel this is an Infield Fly and hold their bases. The second baseman recovers, throws to the third baseman who relays the ball to the shorstop at second. What is the proper call?
This is a double play on the outs at third and second. Since the second baseman could not catch the ball "with ordinary effort," the umpire did not call Infield Fly.
Pop-up comes down foul, bounces fair
With runners on first and second, the batter lifts a one-out pop-up along the first-base line. After the ump declares "Infield Fly, if fair," the ball lands on foul ground halfway between home and first, then spins into fair territory, where it is picked up by the pitcher. The runner from second tries to go to third but is pegged out by the hurler. What should the umpire rule?
Since no one touched the ball until it went fair, it is a fair ball and the batter is automatically out. The runner who was tagged is out also because the runners advance at their peril in such instances.
Batter pops up attempting to sacrifice
With the bases loaded and none out, the batter attempts to bunt but pops the ball into the air between the plate and pitcher's mound. The ball strikes the ground and spins back to the catcher, who is standing on home plate. The backstop then tosses to the third baseman, standing on the bag, who relays the ball to the second baseman on second. All runners held their bases, fearing the ball would be caught. What is the result of the play?
An attempted bunt can never be an Infield Fly. Therefore, this was a triple play-first out coming on the catcher's touching home and the next two on subsequent force outs at third and second.
Outfielder rushes in for called Infield Fly
There are three men on base and one out when the batter lofts a high pop over second base. As the second sacker drifts out under the ball, the umpire calls "Infield Fly." Then the center fielder, who had been playing shallow, races in and tries to make the catch over his teammate's shoulder. However, he drops the ball, retrieves it and fires over first base. When the play ends, two runs have scored, and runners are on second and third. What about it?
Even though an outfielder handles the ball, it remains an Infield Fly. Thus, the batter is automatically out and is ordered off second base. But since the ball remains in play on an Infield Fly, the other runners advanced legally.
Base runner struck by Infield Fly
Immediately after an Infield Fly call, the runner standing on second base is touched by the ball as it falls. Is he out?
No, because he is touching his base. If, on the other hand, he had been off the base, he would be out for being hit by a fair ball. In both cases, of course, the batter is out.
"Infield Fly" called on low looper
With men on first and second and none out, the next hitter is expected to sacrifice. He shortens up as if to bunt but at the last moment draws back and swings away. He hits a looper no more than ten feet off the ground toward the third baseman. The umpire calls "Infield Fly." Is he right in doing so?
There is nothing in the rules defining how high an Infield Fly must go. Since this is neither a line drive nor an attempted bunt, the umpire is right in calling it an Infield Fly if he feels it could be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.
Declared Infield Fly bounces foul
The bases are filled with none out when the batter hits a high pop between third base and home. The umpire calls "Infield Fly, if fair." The catcher and third baseman chase the ball and, at the last moment, both shy away. The ball drops untouched in fair territory, then bounces foul. Is the batter out?
No, since this was a legal foul, the Infield Fly call is not applicable and the ump must rescind his call.
. Sporting News. April 1990.