As a non American Baseball watcher, whilst I thoroughly enjoy the game, some questions about the rules bother me.

Perhaps you experts out there can answer them.

 

!/ Who counts the balls and strikes to decide when the batter is out on 3 strikes.? the referee? behind 1st base counts balls and strikes, but what happens if he gets it wrong?. Is someone checking what he calls or not?

 

2/ If a team brings in a pinch runner for a player, can that player who has been replaced by a pinch runner play again in the game, or does the pinch runner replace him for the rest of that game?

 

Your expertise in explaining these issues would be appreciated.

Thanks Mike

The umpire squatting behind the catcher decides and counts balls and strikes. In the case of a "checked swing" where the batter attempts to stop the bat before completing his swing, the umpire may point to the first base umpire for an opinion. The first base umpire often has a better angle and when asked, his opinion is the ruling.

 

Don't know about designated runners.

Once the a player has been removed from the game he can not come back in....same rule with both pitchers and position players.

1/ but what happens if he gets it wrong?. Is someone checking what he calls or not?

 

2/ If a team brings in a pinch runner for a player, can that player who has been replaced by a pinch runner play again in the game, or does the pinch runner replace him for the rest of that game?

 

1. If the umpire gets it wrong, Billy Martin kicks dirt all over him.

(just google Yankees Billy Martin kick dirt)

 

2. The pinch runner can either stay in the game, or be replaced in the field. If he is replaced in the field, he cannot re-enter the game later.

Pinch runner rule is different in softball....but thats a different sport

The umpire squatting behind the catcher decides and counts balls and strikes. In the case of a "checked swing" where the batter attempts to stop the bat before completing his swing, the umpire may point to the first base umpire for an opinion. The first base umpire often has a better angle and when asked, his opinion is the ruling.

 

Don't know about designated runners.

The 2ndary on a check swing depends on the batter. If right handed, then call goes to first. If left handed, then call goes to third. (1st base blue blocked by the batter)

Thanks very much for the expert information.

I appreciate it, and can now relax to watch a sport I enjoy with a little more understanding of the rules.

Cheers Mike