Baseball trivia - Name the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball

[Minimus]

This question was posed to me and I was told the answers but I am not sure if one of the answers is true. I would like to get a few guesses from DUers to see if they match what I was told. I will then give the answers and maybe someone out there can tell me if what I was told is true.


Any guesses?

[JVS]

1. walk, get hit, balk, 3 strikes but dropped ball, and I'm still trying to think of the last one

[KitchenWitch]

4. You can't get to first on a balk.

Balks only advance existing base runners.

[JVS]

10. oh

[KitchenWitch]

2. Okay!

Base hit (double, triple, home run)
Base on Balls or Hit by Pitch
Error
Dropped Third Strike
Catcher/Fielder Interference

On edit - the base hit is not one of the ways to reach without hitting the ball.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Cheater!

:rofl:

[KitchenWitch]

6. LOL

We HAD this conversation!

I just happened to remember it!

:rofl:

[Richardo]

7. KW: *without* hitting the ball....

:)

[KitchenWitch]

8. See my edit!

[Richardo]

13. .

;-)

[KitchenWitch]

14. .

:7

[The Straight Story]

3. The Straight Dope has the answers:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000818.html

[billyoc]

9. Get her drunk?

Or did somebody say that one already. :shrug:

[likesmountains 52]

11. walk,hit by pitch,passed ball, catcher drops 3d strike, catcher interference, fielder's choice,

being a pinch runner, balk?

[KitchenWitch]

12. Can't reach first on a passed ball unless it is a dropped third strike

Nor can one reach first on a balk.

[Oeditpus Rex]

16. A fielder's choice requires that the ball be hit (n/t)

[likesmountains 52]

24. yup, I was thinking of not getting "a hit" instead of not hitting the ball..

[Minimus]

15. No one has said the one answer that I'm unsure of. Ready for the answers?

[KitchenWitch]

17. go for it.

[pokerfan]

18. Rule 7.05?

7.05 Each runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance:

(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.

(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.

[Minimus]

19. Answers:

Balls
Hit with pitch
Dropped on third strike
Catcher's interference

I was given this clue for the fifth way: Gaylord Perry

[Minimus]

20. The fifth way:

Spitball - umpire can rule that batter can take first base

Is this true???

[Oeditpus Rex]

21. No

If an "illegal" pitch is determined to have been thrown, the umpire can rule that pitch a ball.

[Minimus]

22. The guy that told me this bit of trivia insisted that

spitball was the fifth way.

I can now approach him with knowledge as my ammunition. Thanks!

[Oeditpus Rex]

23. Here's the entire rule

for his edification. :D

(I've highlighted the important bit.)



8.02

The pitcher shall not —

(a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand.

PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeated offenders shall be subject to a fine by the league president.

(2) expectorate on the ball, either hand or his glove;
(3) rub the ball on his glove, person or clothing;
(4) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;
(5) deface the ball in any manner; or
(6) deliver a ball altered in a manner prescribed by Rule 8.02(a)(2) through (5) or what is called the “shine” ball, “spit” ball, “mud” ball or “emery” ball. The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands.

PENALTY: For violation of any part of Rules 8.02(a)(2) through (6)
(a) the pitcher shall be ejected immediately from the game and shall be suspended automatically. In National Association Leagues, the automatic suspension shall be for 10 games.
(b) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the manager of the team at bat may advise the plate umpire-in-chief that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation.
(c) Even though the team at bat elects to take the play, the violation shall be recognized and the penalties in subsection (a) will still be in effect.
(d) If the manager of the team at bat does not elect to accept the play, the umpire-inchief shall call an automatic ball and, if there are any runners on base, a balk.
(e) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether any portion of this rule has been violated.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp

[Dragonbreathp9d]

25. ok

Dropped third strike, walk, get hit, give her lots of alcohol, be suave