CJW

Would this be the place to start ranting about why MLB should have an automated strike zone?

Chris

Black Badger

I agree that the bag should have to be touched.

While we're on the subject of odd baseball rules I have a question. I've been weirded out sometimes watching a game when I see (for example) what appears to be a soft liner to the shortstop, who catches it, but then throws to first anyway, and no out call is made until the 1B gets it. I've never seen this happen on a high pop or anything - it's always low liners.

Is there some obscure rule by which occasionally you have to throw to first even on a catch, or am I just smoking crack?

Mr. B

I agree. The "neighborhood play" is silly.

Plus, there's the question of how close to the neighborhood the fielder has to be to record an out--too arbitrary.

Mr. B

I can't comment on your smoking habits.

I can understand why a fielder, under certain circumstances, would throw to first on a low liner. One can never assume that the umpire will consider the ball to be caught in the air. After all, it may have hit the ground first. Thus, if the ball is hit low enough, the prudent action for the fielder is to throw to first, just to avoid any questions.

On the other hand, I can't imagine why, in all situations, the out call would not be made until the ball was thrown to first. If the ball clearly never hit the ground, the batter should be called out as soon as the ball was caught.

chekmate

It could be that the ball isn't actually a liner, but a higher chopper that just seems to line from the TV's POV, where it's hard to see the actual hop. Or you are just smoking crack.