1. Lets see how much you really know about the rules of baseball?
Rules Quiz #1
Lets see how much you really know about the rules of baseball?

2. a) R3 b) R2 c) Both runners Answer B) R2, see MLB rule 7.03
One out, runners at 2nd and 3rd. Batter hits a grounder to the 3rd baseman, who gets R3 in a rundown between home and 3rd. R3 eludes a tag and returns to 3rd safely. Meanwhile, R2 is standing on 3rd also. Both are tagged. Who is out?
a) R3
b) R2
c) Both runners
Answer
B) R2, see MLB rule 7.03

3. c) both R1 and BR see MLB rule 7.01
One out, runner on 1st. Batter hits a quick one-hopper to the 1st baseman. R1 returns to 1st and is tagged while on the base. The 1st baseman then steps on 1st. Who is out?
a) only R1
b) only the BR
c) both R1 and BR
Answer
c) both R1 and BR see MLB rule 7.01

4. Substitutions may be made while the ball is alive? True or False
Answer
False see MLB rule 3.03
Only when the ball is dead or between innings.

5. A) leave them at their current base B) all runners advance one base
No outs, bases loaded. The 1st baseman catches a foul ball and falls into the stands or dugout. Place R1, R2 and R3
A) leave them at their current base
B) all runners advance one base
C) all runners advance two bases
Answer
B) all runners advance one base, see MLB rule 7.04

6. A) batter gets 1st and R1 gets 3rd B) batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd
No outs, runner on 1st. R1 is stealing 2nd when the batter bunts the ball to the 3rd baseman. R1 is past 2nd when the 3rd baseman’s throw to 1st goes into the stands. Place R1 and the BR.
A) batter gets 1st and R1 gets 3rd
B) batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd
C Batter gets 2nd and R1 gets home
Answer
B) batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd. See MLB rule 7.05(g) approved ruling
Note position of the runners at the time of the throw; since R1 was past 2nd the BR needed to be past 1st for R1 to score, then the BR would be awarded 3rd.

7. A) batter is awarded 1st and R1 is awarded 2nd
One out, runner on 1st, who is attempting to steal 2nd. The catcher interferes with the batter, who strikes out, and then throws out R1 at 2nd. What penalties do you impose?
A) batter is awarded 1st and R1 is awarded 2nd
B) batter is out and R1 is out at 2nd
C) Batter is awarded 1st and R1 is out at 2nd
Answer
A) batter is awarded 1st and R1 is awarded 2nd. See MLB Rule 6.08(c) and 7.04(b)

8. Two out, bases loaded, 3-2 count
Two out, bases loaded, 3-2 count. With all runners going on the pitch, the batter takes ball four. R2 touches and rounds 3rd and is picked off by the catcher before the runner from 3rd touches the plate. Does the run score?
Answer
Yes see MLB rule 7.04(b) note the play. The run scores because ALL runners are forced to advance one base because of the walk.

9. Yes see MLB rule 5.09(c), 7.04(note), 8.05
The pitcher balks attempting to pick-off R1 and throws the ball wild. R1 advances to 3rd, but missed 2nd on the way. The defense throws to 2nd and appeals to you. Is the runner out? Yes or No
Answer
Yes see MLB rule 5.09(c), 7.04(note), 8.05
The runner is still obligated to touch all bases and can be called out on an appeal before the next play.

10. A) batter gets 1st and R2 gets home B) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets 3rd
No outs, runner on 2nd, the 3-2 pitch is called ball four and gets by the catcher and rolls toward the 1st base dugout. As the catcher attempts to retrieve the ball, he inadvertently knocks the ball into the dugout. Place R2 and the batter.
A) batter gets 1st and R2 gets home
B) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets 3rd
C) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets home
Answer
C) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets home see MLB rule 7.05(g) and 7.05(h) approved ruling 2 bases at time of the pitch

11. Runner at 1st, batter takes the pitch
Runner at 1st, batter takes the pitch. The catcher’s throw back to the pitcher hits the still cocked bat of the batter. The ball bounces into the dugout and R goes to 3rd. Can he stay there? Yes or No
Answer
Yes
MLB Rule 7.05(g) 2 bases when thrown ball goes into stands or dugout or out of field of play. In this play, the ball is a live ball until it goes out of the field of play. There is no interference by the batter, not because he was in the batters box, but because there was no movement by the batter.

12. Does a glove thrown at a fair batted ball have to touch the ball before you award bases? Yes or no
Answer
Yes see MLB rule 7.05(c), there is no penalty if the glove does not hit the batted ball, and the play is to continue. Remember the number of bases awarded are different on thrown ball hit by the detached equipment.

13. A) batter gets 1st and R3 is out B) batter gets 2nd and R3 gets home
One out, runner on 3rd. The batter hits a ground ball to the 3rd baseman who gets R3 in a rundown. During the rundown, the catcher is taking off his mask as the ball is being thrown to him. He stops the ball with his mask, picks it up and tags R3. The batter is not yet at 1st base when this occurs. Place R3 and the batter.
A) batter gets 1st and R3 is out
B) batter gets 2nd and R3 gets home
C) batter gets 1st and R3 returns to 3rd
Answer
B) batter gets 2nd and R3 gets home see MLB rule 7.05(d)
Note, the detached equipment stopped a thrown ball

14. B) second see MLB rule 7.05(e)
Batter hits a grounder to short. The shortstop throws high and the 1st baseman throws his glove and hits the ball. Place the BR.
A) first
B) second
C) third
Answer
B) second see MLB rule 7.05(e)
Note the position of the runner at the time the detached equipment hit the THROWN ball, then award two bases

15. Two outs, runner on 1st. Grounder to the shortstop who throws the ball into the dugout trying to retire the batter. R1 is not at 2nd at the time of the throw. Place R1 and the batter.
A) batter gets 1st the R1 gets 2nd.
B) batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd
C) batter gets 1st and R1 gets 3rd
Answer
B) batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd see MLB rule 7.05(g)
Note, the award of two bases, both runners had not advanced one base and that this is the first play of and infielder, therefore the runners are judged by their position at the time of the pitch.

16. One out, bases loaded. Grounder to the 3rd baseman who steps on 3rd and then throws the ball into the stands trying to retire the BR. R1 had reached 2nd before the throw but R3 and the BR had not reached their next base before the throw. Place R1, R3 and BR
A) batter gets 2nd, R1 and R3 get home
B) batter gets 1st, R1 gets 2nd and R3 gets home
C) batter gets 1st, R1 gets 3rd and R3 gets home
Answer
A) batter gets 2nd, R1 and BR get home see MLB rule 7.05(g)
Note the position or R2 at the time of the throw, he was past 2nd is why he is awarded home

17. A) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets home
On outs, runner on 2nd. Grounder to short who does not field the ball cleanly. The shortstop throws the ball into the dugout when attempting to pick the BR off 1st after he had made a wide turn. R2 was past 3rd at the time of the throw. Place the runners.
A) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets home
B) batter gets 3rd and R2 gets home
C) batter gets 2nd and R2 gets 3rd
Answer
B) batter gets 3rd and R2 gets home
Even though this was the first play by an infielder, both R2 and BR had advanced one base before the throw

18. Batter hits a single to right
Batter hits a single to right. The fielder throws to first attempting to retire the batter after he makes a wide turn at 1st. The throw goes into the dugout. At the moment the ball went out-of-play the batter had already turned at 2nd. Place the runner.
A) second
B) third
C) home
Answer
b) third see MLB rule 7.05(g)
In this play the award of two bases is base on the time of the throw and not when the ball actually went out-of-play. Also note that this was an outfielder, not an infielder