Gettin to first base

Ever since I read the column about getting to first base I have been waiting to use it on a “friend” to make a quick buck. When thae chance finally showed up, all I got was static. He want’s proof! (As if Cecil wasn’t proof enough.) He seems to think that there is a difference between the batter and the runner. Hence the different sections of the rules. He also says that there is a difference between the batter and the “batter runner” as stated in the beginning of Rule 7.05. I asked around the usenet and got little. Well, one guy told me to check out the Straight Dope, but that is where I started. So, If there is anyone that can lend some more credibility to this, drop me a line.

Thanks, Dave

Link? Link?
Jill
(And this ain’t the Mod Squad)

My most humble apologies…
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_299.html

After seeing a thread in this forum titled “What is the purpose of the Hymen?”, I thought this thread would be about something totally different. :wink:

There is a difference, but if a batter isn’t put out, he becomes a runner, either with liability to be put out (a ball hit fair, a dropped third strike in certain circumstances) or without liability to be put out (a base on balls, hit by pitch).

6.04 A batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out or becomes a runner.

6.08 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when: [circumstances follow].

6.09 The batter becomes a runner when: [circumstances follow]

So it’s not like they’re entirely different people.

ben

So, is Cecil wrong? I got a few replies at Rec.Sports.Baseball. Most seemed to think that there are only 4 ways not 6. I hope that someone in an “official” capacity can reply, as I hate to lose 10 bucks.

I found at: http://www.inwave.com/~ball/rules/rules7.htm

this:

7.05 Each runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance_
(a) To home base, scoring a run, if a fair ball goes out of the playing field in flight and he touched all bases legally; or if a fair ball which, in the umpire’s judgment, would have gone out of the playing field in flight, is deflected by the act of a fielder in throwing his glove, cap, or any article of his apparel;
(b) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril;
© Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.
(d) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a thrown ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play;
(e) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a thrown ball. The ball is in play; In applying (b c d e) the umpire must rule that the thrown glove or detached cap or mask has touched the ball. There is no penalty if the ball is not touched. Under (c e) this penalty shall not be invoked against a fielder whose glove is carried off his hand by the force of a batted or thrown ball, or when his glove flies off his hand as he makes an obvious effort to make a legitimate catch.
(f) Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines;
(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. (For the purpose of Rule 7.05 (g) a catcher is considered an infielder.) PLAY. Runner on first base, batter hits a ball to the shortstop, who throws to second base too late to get runner at second, and second baseman throws toward first base after batter has crossed first base. Ruling_Runner at second scores. (On this play, only if batter runner is past first base when throw is made is he awarded third base.)
(h) One base, if a ball, pitched to the batter, or thrown by the pitcher from his position on the pitcher’s plate to a base to catch a runner, goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop. The ball is dead;
APPROVED RULING: When a wild pitch or passed ball goes through or by the catcher, or deflects off the catcher, and goes directly into the dugout, stands, above the break, or any area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be one base. One base shall also be awarded if the pitcher while in contact with the rubber, throws to a base, and the throw goes directly into the stands or into any area where the ball is dead. If, however, the pitched or thrown ball goes through or by the catcher or through the fielder, and remains on the playing field, and is subsequently kicked or deflected into the dugout, stands or other area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be two bases from position of runners at the time of the pitch or throw.
(i) One base, if the batter becomes a runner on Ball Four or Strike Three, when the pitch passes the catcher and lodges in the umpire’s mask or paraphernalia. If the batter becomes a runner on a wild pitch which entitles the runners to advance one base, the batter runner shall be entitled to first base only. The fact a runner is awarded a base or bases without liability to be put out does not relieve him of the responsibility to touch the base he is awarded and all intervening bases. For example: batter hits a ground ball which an infielder throws into the stands but the batter runner missed first base. He may be called out on appeal for missing first base after the ball is put in play even though he was “awarded” second base. If a runner is forced to return to a base after a catch, he must retouch his original base even though, because of some ground rule or other rule, he is awarded additional bases. He may retouch while the ball is dead and the award is then made from his original base.

Here, why don’t I just get this over with.

The six ways of getting on base are these, with the relevant section of the rules (available at www.majorleaguebaseball.com)) included:

Dropped third strike - 6.09 (b)
Base on balls - 6.08 (a)
Hit by pitch - 6.08 (b)

The other three are all variations of a “ball hit fair”, 6.09 (a), but are clearly differentiated in the scorers section:

Hit - 10.05
Error - 10.06 (a), 10.06 (b), also 10.13
Fielder’s choice - 10.06 ©

That otter do it. Collect your $10.

ben

Damn, you guys disappoint me. I thought this thread was about persuading a woman to give you a french kiss.

Different game altogether. The official rules are kept secret, it’s easier to make an error and it’s always “fielders choice”

ben

I thought “first base” was any kind of smooching, and French kissing was kinda like “taking a lead off of first”.