Interesting baseball rule/trivia. Can you get it?
 

I know there's not a lot of sports fans here (I've found ove the years that Porsche owners generally tend to not be sports fans!) but what the heck.

Was watching a game with my son and saw this scenario:

2 outs, bottom of the 9th, visiting team winning by say 6 runs.

Runner on first base.

Pitcher pitchs the ball, runner runs to second, catcher does not make the throw to second.

Does the runner get credited with a stolen base?

(a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) Maybe.

I think it's a judgment call, like an error. If it's ruled indifference then no.

I think:D

Unless that pitch was ball four, I believe it's a stolen base.

Lendaddy's right.

(From Wikipedia)

In addition, if the situation of the game is such that the steal is of little use (usually in the late innings when the runner would not change the game's outcome by scoring), and the catcher does not attempt to throw out the runner, the runner is not credited with a steal, and the base is attributed to defensive indifference.

Hey, no cheating!

Never heard of that rule, "defensive indifference." Doesn't seem like it should matter, the runner didn't know what was going to happen and had to take the risk of getting thrown out when he took off.

Seems unfair to be able to deprive him of a stolen base by essentially "not trying."

Maybe they should have "offensive indifference!" For every home run that Bonds gets from here on out, the pitcher should go all Pee Wee Herman and say "I meant to do that!"

Defensive indifference.

the, this wouldnt happen to of been the astro's/mets game tonight?

Rangers game.

oh ok...because almost the same thing happened tonight.

Astro's still lost!

:eek: Say WHAT?:rolleyes:

This wouldn't happen to have been...;)

Props to the original poster...I was gonna say passed ball
or wild pitch as well...however the runner started running
before the pitch was delivered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passed_ball

PS: Go Tigers

:)

Nice, LD...I had no inkling of that rule.

The only reason I know is because I "watch" a lot of games on the internet and they use that phrasing in the text "Posada advances to second on catchers indifference". So the scenario rung a bell.

Do you suppose that if someone was on the verge of breaking Rickey Henderson's stolen base record, and all of the opposing catchers became "indifferent" then hypothetically, the record couldn't be broken? I vaguely remember that rule from way back when, but like baseball in general, I just don't care anymore...

You need a new team! Let me personally invite you to root for the Oakland A's. Great organization, great bunch of young players. It's hard not to like them.

I'm going to the All-star game on Tuesday. I get to boo Barry Bonds in his home park!

Since the visiting team is winning by six runs or so the extra base won't matter even if he scores. There was no attempt or concern re: the extra base. The only thing that matters is the batter and getting him out.

This happens all the time. Not a stolen base.

Now booing Barry Bonds is probably something I could still enjoy :). I used to be a baseball junkie too (as a kid), but steroids, salaries, and egos have ruined the game I loved...

It could have also been a passed ball - the description didn't indicate a wild pitch or anything, but there's a scenario that would result in the same outcome (runner advances).

I believe there are six ways to get to first base without getting a base hit. Anybody know all six?

A Walk
Hit-by-pitch
Catcher misses swinging 3rd strike
Pitcher balks w/ 3 ball count
Fielder's error
Catcher's interference

well since you didn't give us the strike count. we don't have all the correct info to make the call....

could be indifference, but if it was ball 4 then runner advances anyway and no other call can be made.

would only be a stolen base if the defensive team actually made an attempt to stop him...by either the pitcher or the catcher throwing to first or second. otherwise it is indifference.

yeah, I know, I forgot to give the strike count.

But if you were as smart as lendaddy, you could have gotten it anyways!

I was a baseball fan as a kid (who wasn't!), but like most adults, got away from the game because . . . it started sucking. I liked it much better when players pretty much stayed with a team for their entire careers. I was a Dodgers fan during the Garvey/Lopes/Russell/Cey eras. You really got to know "your" players, and it was fun.

But once you have kids of your own playing baseball, you start watching again, because they love to watch and learn from the pros. I've regained an appreciation for the game. It really is, in most ways, a much more beautiful and interesting game than the NBA or NFL. And sitting with your son watching the game, talking about the plays and the calls, is priceless!

Wow. That didn't take long.

A batter is never awarded first base as a result of a balk. A balk on a three-ball count is merely ball four and the batter is awarded a walk. (already on the list)

I think the 6th way to get to first is a fielders choice.

You're right Moses! I quit when I got to six, not thinking about the balk/ball four aspect...