Seven Surefire Ways to Get Ejected
“What have I gotta do to get thrown out of here?” demands your favorite manager, exasperated and red faced, a vein throbbing in his forehead. He’s been arguing for almost two full minutes, and might not have taken a breath since he started. Neither umpire seems the least bit interested in doubling down on the bad call…
Something You Probably Don’t Know: The Difference Between a Foul Tip and Foul Ball
Most baseball fans incorrectly use the terms foul ball and foul tip interchangeably. For those who make this mistake, it might simply be a case of careless use of words… or it could be something more serious: a fuzzy understanding of basic baseball rules. So what is the main difference between a foul tip and…
Strike Zone Misconceptions
How an umpire calls balls and strikes is the single most influential factor in any baseball game. If the umpire has a “hitter’s strike zone” the pitcher doesn’t get the marginal pitches and the game often is riddled with walks, more hitting and higher scores. If his zone is loose or big, the opposite occurs….
Rule of the Week: When can a switch-hitter switch sides at the plate?
Last week we talked about switch-pitchers. This week, we’ll discuss a much more common phenomenon: the switch-hitter. When can a switch-hitter switch sides at the plate? Whenever he wants to! Unlike the pitcher, the batter can switch continuously from the left to the right side of the plate during the same at-bat. However, there is…
