This quiz is offered  purely for fun, entertainment  and hopefully to help you  become better acquainted  with the nuances of the game.

Question 6

Question: 

There's a runner on 2nd base (R2) with two outs. The batter hits one over the fence. As R2 rounds third he trips on the base and falls down. The third base coach helps him up and he continues home. What's the call?

a.  Nobody is out and both runs count. 

b.  R2 is out and no runs count.

c.  R2 scores but the batter is out.

 

Answer:

a.  Nobody is out and both runs count.

Reference: Rules 5.02, 7.05(a) 

Explanation: As long as all runners legally touch the bases while advancing to home, they can touch anybody they wish. This is true in this instance because once the ball is hit over the fence for a homerun, it's a "dead ball".  

If the batter had hit a triple (i.e., the ball is still "live") and the coach helped up the runner, that runner would be out and no runs would have scored.  However, if a teammate (i.e., a baserunner in front or behind) helps a runner up, that's OK as long as the runners hold their positions, i.e., do not pass each other.

Question 5

Question: 

Racing toward third base on a triple, the runner collides with an umpire who is in the base line. The runner falls and is tagged out.  Is the batter out?

 

Answer:

Yes, he's out. When a base runner collides with an umpire, this does not constitute interference and the ball remains in play. (2.00-Interference-c) 

Question 4

Question: 

San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg was selected as the first overall pick by the Nationals in this year's MLB draft. Since the draft’s inception in 1965, how many number one overall picks have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

 

Answer:

None. 

Note - Ken Griffey, Jr., Chipper Jones, and Alex Rodriguez were all first overall picks who have been mentioned as possible future hall of famers.

Question 3

Question: 

Is it legal to have 4 outfielders and 3 infielders besides the pitcher and catcher?

Answer:

Yes.  Rule 4.03(c) states:  "Except for the pitcher and catcher, any fielder may station himself anywhere in fair territory."

Question 2

Question: 

There are no outs with a runner (R1) on 1st.  R1 is stealing 2nd when the batter (BR) bunts the ball to the 3rd baseman.  R1 is past 2nd when the 3rd baseman throws to 1st.  The throw goes over the first baseman and into the stands. Place R1 and BR. Batter get 1st and R1 gets 3rd Batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd Batter gets 2nd and R1 gets home

Answer:

b.  Batter gets 2nd and R1 gets 3rd.

And if you want more detail, we've got your detail...

Reference: Rule 7.05g
7.05 Each runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance... (g) Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wire screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched; in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made; APPROVED RULING: If all runners, including the batter runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after the pitch, the award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the wild throw was made. In certain circumstances it is impossible to award a runner two bases. Example: Runner on first. Batter hits fly to short right. Runner holds up between first and second and batter comes around first and pulls up behind him. Ball falls safely. Outfielder, in throwing to first, throws ball into stand. APPROVED RULING: Since no runner, when the ball is dead, may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled, the runner originally on first base goes to third base and the batter is held at second base. The term "when the wild throw was made" means when the throw actually left the player's hand and not when the thrown ball hit the ground, passes a receiving fielder or goes out of play into the stands. The position of the batter runner at the time the wild throw left the thrower's hand is the key in deciding the award of bases. If the batter runner has not reached first base, the award is two bases at the time the pitch was made for all runners. The decision as to whether the batter runner has reached first base before the throw is a judgment call. If an unusual play arises where a first throw by an infielder goes into stands or dugout but the batter did not become a runner (such as catcher throwing ball into stands in attempt to get runner from third trying to score on passed ball or wild pitch) award of two bases shall be from the position of the runners at the time of the throw.

Question 1

Question: 

With a runner trying to steal second, the catcher gets off a throw which strikes the umpire stationed between the mound and second. While the pitcher is recovering the ball, the runner dashes safely to third.  Is the runner entitled to that base or must he return to 2nd?

Answer:

Yes, the runner may advance (at his own risk).  When a thrown or pitched ball strikes an umpire, the ball remains in play. (5.08)