The OFFICIAL 2012 MLB Regular Season Thread

[RatherDashing]

Hey, I have a general question about baseball rules.

Say there are runners on first and third, and one out. The batter hits a deep fly ball, which is caught. The runner from third tags up and scores, but the runner on first runs on contact, then tries to return to first after the ball is caught. The outfielder throws the ball back to first base before he can return, making the third out of the inning. Does the run count if the guy from third touches home plate before the runner from first is put out?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I also have a rule question that I don't think I've ever seen done so I'm not sure if it's possible.

I know you can't change the batting order, however you can change defensive positions. Is the DH considered to be a defensive position? Can I put my DH into the field and have a PH become the DH?

For example. Let's say my starting lineup is (using the Rangers as I'm the most familiar with them):

2B Kinsler
SS Andrus
CF Hamilton
DH Young
3B Beltre
RF Cruz
C Napoli
RF Murphy
1B Moreland

Now I know I could have Gentry pinch-hit for Murphy, and move Hamilton from CF to LF and put Gentry in CF. This would make the batting order:


2B Kinsler
SS Andrus
LF Hamilton
DH Young
3B Beltre
RF Cruz
C Napoli
CF Gentry
1B Moreland

Now lets say I need a hit and Moreland is cold at the plate. Can I pinch hit Torrealba for Moreland, and then move Young to first and have Torrealba DH? Making the batting order:


2B Kinsler
SS Andrus
LF Hamilton
1B Young
3B Beltre
RF Cruz
C Napoli
CF Gentry
DH Torrealba

Or is the DH off limits? Can I only pinch-hit for him, and not make a defensive adjustment?

[Otsy]

Chris Sale is dialed in today for the White Sox. Currently through 6 innings he has 14 strikeouts and a 2-1 lead. Good start for fantasy this week

[RatherDashing]

Q Scout,

I don't know the exact details on how it works, but I believe that if you move your dh into the field, you then lose the position of dh in the lineup and your pitcher has to hit in his place. I think it may have happened this year, as I recall hearing some analysts discussing it recently.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Brendan Ryan gunned down at home plate on what was *almost* an inside the park home run.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

Q Scout,

I don't know the exact details on how it works, but I believe that if you move your dh into the field, you then lose the position of dh in the lineup and your pitcher has to hit in his place. I think it may have happened this year, as I recall hearing some analysts discussing it recently.

Interesting, but that doesn't seem to jive with the ability to move other players around. Then again the DH is a different creature anyway.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

Hey, I have a general question about baseball rules.

Say there are runners on first and third, and one out. The batter hits a deep fly ball, which is caught. The runner from third tags up and scores, but the runner on first runs on contact, then tries to return to first after the ball is caught. The outfielder throws the ball back to first base before he can return, making the third out of the inning. Does the run count if the guy from third touches home plate before the runner from first is put out?

The run would not count.

Any force out would preclude a run scoring.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Interesting, but that doesn't seem to jive with the ability to move other players around. Then again the DH is a different creature anyway.

Dashing is correct. If a DH plays a defensive position then the position of DH is forfeited and "NL rules" apply.

[ineedanother]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

Hey, I have a general question about baseball rules.

Say there are runners on first and third, and one out. The batter hits a deep fly ball, which is caught. The runner from third tags up and scores, but the runner on first runs on contact, then tries to return to first after the ball is caught. The outfielder throws the ball back to first base before he can return, making the third out of the inning. Does the run count if the guy from third touches home plate before the runner from first is put out?

On this play the run would count, as the play at first is an appeal play not a force play.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Interesting signing by the Rangers, Roy Oswalt 1 year deal

Yes Feliz is on the DL right now, but I don't anticipate that being long (unless I missed something, maybe I did) and once he comes back does he go to the bullpen? Not sure, either way it never hurts to have another good arm

http://tracking.si.com/2012/05/29/ro...texas-rangers/

[flames_1987]

Man how good are the White Sox playing? On a tear and Detroit continues to struggle.

[saskflames69]

Josh Willingham hits a 3 run walk off homer against the A's to win it for the Twins.

I still believe this team can wake up from its slow start and start winning games.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by saskflames96

Josh Willingham hits a 3 run walk off homer against the A's to win it for the Twins.

I still believe this team can wake up from its slow start and start winning games.

AL Central could be tough if the Tigers ever get it going. Twins record dating back to last season is now 80-131.

[troutman]

Long past time to assist umps with instant replay

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPM81OP191.DTL



The Giants had the bases loaded and one out in a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning, all set to blow the game open. Joaquin Arias hit a chopper back to the mound, where Brad Ziegler started a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning. Except that reality told a different story. Arias beat catcher Miguel Montero's throw to first, just as clear as day on the replay, but first-base umpire Brian O'Nora somehow saw it differently.

You wonder how a guy could be so totally wrong on a play that unfolds right in front of him, but this isn't about O'Nora, it's about a growing trend in the game - the age of incompetence - and the blatant dismissal of technology that could solve so many problems.

As play unfolded around the major leagues on Memorial Day, there was outrage in two different clubhouses. Tigers manager Jim Leyland was furious about a call that turned an apparent inning-ending third strike - a foul tip that landed cleanly in catcher Gerald Laird's glove - into a sustained, game-deciding rally by the Red Sox. Although replays proved him wrong, umpire Bill Welke ruled that the ball had hit the ground, negating the strikeout.

"The umpires have to be held accountable," said a furious Leyland. "And right now, they're not."

The Dodgers, meanwhile, thought their one-run loss to the Brewers could be traced to another blown call, by umpire Todd Tichenor, who ruled that first baseman James Loney had his foot off the bag on a crucial play when in fact, as shown on replay, he had held his ground for the out.

Commissioner Bud Selig has become the leading voice for tradition on this issue, recently saying he's not ready to push for escalated use of instant replay. He claims there's "little, if any appetite" for such a thing, but he's simply lying. The first two months of this season have yielded a frightening amount of ridiculous calls, and even some old-school types are getting exasperated. Over the course of recent interviews from various outlets, managers Bruce Bochy and Mike Scioscia have called for the increased use of replay, along with storied ballplayers Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline and Jim Bunning, plus countless contemporary players.

I think managers should be allowed 2 challenges per game, on plays where a run was scored or run denied.

[flames_1987]

I agree 100% Trout. One thing I'm totally against is the idea being put out there by a certain section of fans that Umpires need to be interviewed before and after games.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by ineedanother

On this play the run would count, as the play at first is an appeal play not a force play.

Interesting...I would have thought that since the runner has to go back to first base before he can advance that it would still be considered a force play at first base, and the run from the runner correctly tagging up wouldn't count.

What if you encounter a situation like what happened with Brett Lawrie in Tampa Bay recently. He runs on contact, rounds second and takes a step towards 3rd, than returns to first base. A runner at third tagged and scored, but Lawrie is ruled out because he did not touch 2nd on his way back to first after making a motion to go from 2nd to 3rd.

The run should count and Lawrie would be ruled out on an appeal play?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I don't think managers should be able to challenge any play. But I like Troutman's idea of 2 challenges per game. It would help the major plays be accurate.

As for the Jim Leland example. I don't agree with balls and strikes being subject to review. As long as they are called consistently. I've mentioned before on here that I call the balls and strikes to myself when watching the game. I don't call exactly the same as the umpires, or even the Fox-Tracks. But I think that's what makes the game special, there is a human element. Balls & strikes are ambiguous, but called outs should be black and white.


In other news my Rangers haven't won a game, since the signing of Oswalt, let's hope that streak ends tonight

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think managers should be allowed 2 challenges per game, on plays where a run was scored or run denied.

For better or for worse, the scope of replay always expands.

The NFL introduced coach's challenges a few years ago, now every scoring play is reviewed in addition to coach's challenges.

[Otsy]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Interesting...I would have thought that since the runner has to go back to first base before he can advance that it would still be considered a force play at first base, and the run from the runner correctly tagging up wouldn't count.

What if you encounter a situation like what happened with Brett Lawrie in Tampa Bay recently. He runs on contact, rounds second and takes a step towards 3rd, than returns to first base. A runner at third tagged and scored, but Lawrie is ruled out because he did not touch 2nd on his way back to first after making a motion to go from 2nd to 3rd.

The run should count and Lawrie would be ruled out on an appeal play?

I don't think the run counts in either situation. It's not an appeal play, it's a force out. Appeal only takes place if runner is tagging and leaves too early. If he's just going back to tag up and hasn't made it yet, it's a force out and no runs will count regardless if they cross before runner gets back to tag.

[Drake]

Texas is getting hammered tonight and its only the 3rd. Its 16-0 for Seattle.