gov135

... make the correct call. I'll post the answers in a few days.

NOTE: These are difficult situations that are not seen very often in baseball. So pick to have fun - noone is being graded, honest.

Wow. I was impressed with the answers.

1. There are no outs, baserunner on third. You are the umpire. Barry Zito is the A's pitcher, and Ichiro Suzuki is the Mariner's baserunner. Zito is standing on the rubber, and has not yet started his windup when Suzuki breaks prematurely towards home plate. Zito breaks directly towards Suzuki and tags him before he reaches home. Your call?
When a pitcher leaves the mound without backing off the rubber, it is a balk. Suzuki gets the base, and scores.

2. There is one out, bases empty. You are the umpire. The batter, the speedy Coco Crisp, hits a sure double-possible triple to left field. The left fielder, Carlos Beltran, gets to the ball as Crisp rounds second and heads for third. Beltran's throw towards third base is "right on the money" as Crisp slides in.... and the ball hits Crisp and bounces down the left field line, allowing a grateful Crisp to score. Beltran made a great throw, does he receive an error on the play?
Yes. Beltran is assessed with a hard-luck error, because if not, the pitcher would be charged with an earned run, which would be inaccurate.

3. There are no outs, bases empty. Rocco Baldelli of the Devil Rays is at the plate. He hits a slow grounder towards third, and races towards first base. The third baseman charges the ball, and fires a strike to first on a close play. The firstbase umpire calls Baldelli out. But Baldelli and Lou Pinella, manager, protest that the play was so close, the tie goes to the runner. Who is correct, the Devil Rays or the umpire?
The umpire is correct. In the MLB rulebook, there is no "tie goes to the runner rule." The runner either beats the throw or he doesn't.

4. There is one out, with a runner on third. The batter hits a grounder down the third base line, in fair territory. The baserunner retreats to third base, in front of the third baseman, where he is hit by the ball. Your call?
The base does not protect the runner when he is hit by a batted ball in front of the infielder. He is out.

5. There are two outs, bases are loaded. You are the umpire. The batter swats a triple, and all baserunners score. However, the runner on third failed to touch home plate. After the runners from first and second score, the runner from third retouches the plate. The catcher then calls for the ball and an appeal. What's your call?
The runner cannot return to touch a base after succeeding runners have touched it. In this case, he represents the third out, so no runs score.

BONUS: Two questions. Can a player who is on the disabled list sit on his team's bench during an official game, and if so, can he be removed from the bench during the game?
Yes and Yes. However, the opposing manager must grant permission for the DL'd player to be on the bench, and, in order for that player to be removed, the same manager must request it.

This bizarre combination of compliances occured some years ago in the National League. Frank Lucchesi, manager of the Phillies at the time, made the request of Gene Mauch, manager of the Expos. Lucchesi wanted Dick Selma, an injured Phillies pitcher, to stay on his bench. Mauch gave his consent.

But Selma didn't like Mauch, so he loudly criticized Gene's every move during the game, so that Mauch could hear. In the sixth inning, Mauch had enough. He came out of his dugout and said to the umpire, "Selma has to go. I can't take him anymore."

Exit Selma. Rule 3.06

14, 15, 41, 59, 82, 36

bish

1. If Zito didn't step off the back of the rubber, it is a balk and Ichiro gets home.

2. Beltran does get an error on the play because the runner advanced another base and the ball never got the player at third.

3. Well, a tie is supposed to go to the runner, but if the ump called him out, then he's out.

4. The runner on third is out.

5. The runner from third is safe and his run will count, but the next runner would be out, since they would have to touch home again after the first player did. Only 1 run will count.

Bonus. A player can sit on the bench while on the DL and they can be removed also.

h2g2Fan

5. No runs will count. The player from third left the base line.

cliffxpro

2. Why the hell was Beltran in left?

goddfather40

1. It doesn't say whether or not Zito was set, if not, he can do whatever he wants I believe. If he was set, it is a balk, and Ichiro scores.

2. Error because the runner advanced home not directly due to his hit, but because of a play made by an opposing player, despite the great throw.

3. It only matters what the ump calls.

4. Out at third, ball hit runner in fair territory.

5. The player originally on second is out because he scored before the guy in front of him. 0 runs scored, end of inning.

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Tex

If Zito steps off with his left foot, then he is allowed to go and tag out the runner, if he steps off with his right foot, it would be a balk and the runner would score.

2. There is one out, bases empty. You are the umpire. The batter, the speedy Coco Crisp, hits a sure double-possible triple to left field. The left fielder, Carlos Beltran, gets to the ball as
Crisp rounds second and heads for third. Beltran's throw towards third base is "right on the money" as Crisp slides in.... and the ball hits Crisp and bounces down the left field line, allowing a grateful Crisp to score. Beltran made a great throw, does he receive an error on the play?[/QUOTE]

Yes. Any play that allows a runner to take an extra base is considered an error.

3. There are no outs, bases empty. Rocco Baldelli of the Devil Rays is at the plate. He hits a slow grounder towards third, and races towards first base. The third baseman charges the ball, and fires a strike to first on a close play. The firstbase umpire calls Baldelli out. But Baldelli and Lou Pinella, manager, protest that the play was so close, the tie goes to the runner. Who is correct, the Devil Rays or the umpire?[/QUOTE]

Umpire.


4. There is one out, with a runner on third. The batter hits a grounder down the third base line, in fair territory. The baserunner retreats to third base, in front of the third baseman, where he is hit by the ball. Your call?[/QUOTE]

If he is hit while in fair territory, he is out.


5. There are two outs, bases are loaded. You are the umpire. The batter swats a triple, and all baserunners score. However, the runner on third failed to touch home plate. After the runners from first and second score, the runner from third retouches the plate. The catcher then calls for the ball and an appeal. What's your call?[/QUOTE]

All three runners are out because it would be as if the 2nd and 3rd runner scored before the 1st one. You are not allowed to pass the baserunner in front of you. If you do, you're both out. (See Robin Ventura's grand slam single against the Braves in the NLCS)

iceman2032

1) It's a balk, Ichiro gets home plate

gov135

Updated with answers above.