Baseball Brainteasers
1 of 10
With a man on first, the batter lines a grounder to second. The second-baseman fields the ball with his bare hand and, without transferring the ball to the glove, tags the bag, then tosses it wide to first. The first-baseman gets the ball with his bare hand, then tags the runner with his glove (still holding the ball in his bare hand). What’s the call?
Double play
The runner at second is out, the runner at first is safe
The runner at second is safe, the runner at first is out
Both runners are safe
ANSWER: When tagging the base, the fielder only has to have control of the ball and be touching the bag. When tagging a runner, the fielder ha to either tag him with the ball or the gloved hand with the ball in it. When tagging the base, the fielder only has to have control of the ball and be touching the bag. When tagging a runner, the fielder ha to either tag him with the ball or the gloved hand with the ball in it.
2 of 10
There’s a man on first with one out. The batter hits a grounder to first, but the runner freezes and doesn’t move off of first base. What does the first baseman have to do to get a double play?
Touch the base, then tag the runner
Tag the runner, then touch the base
Tag both the runner and the batter
Just tag the base; the runner is automatically out
ANSWER: Once the grounder is hit, first base belongs to the batter. But if the first-baseman touches the bag or tags the batter before getting the runner out, the runner can safely stay on first base. So he has to tag out the runner then get the batter out. Once the grounder is hit, first base belongs to the batter. But if the first-baseman touches the bag or tags the batter before getting the runner out, the runner can safely stay on first base. So he has to tag out the runner then get the batter out.
3 of 10
True or false: A pitcher can get called for a balk when the bases are empty?
True
False
ANSWER: By definition, there must be a runner on base for there to be a balk. By definition, there must be a runner on base for there to be a balk.
4 of 10
A runner is on first with no outs. The batter hits a line drive that accidentally hits the runner, still standing on first, in the leg. The ball rolls to the first-baseman, who tags the bag. What’s the call?
The runner is safe, the batter is out
The runner is out, the batter is safe
Both the runner and batter are out
Both the runner and batter are safe
ANSWER: A runner that is struck by the ball, even on the base, is automatically out. But once the ball hits a runner, it is a dead ball and the batter is awarded first base. A runner that is struck by the ball, even on the base, is automatically out. But once the ball hits a runner, it is a dead ball and the batter is awarded first base.
5 of 10
A pitcher throws nine shutout inning, but his team also fails to score and he gets pulled in the 10th for a reliever. The reliever allows a run in the 10th and the team loses. What does the first pitcher get credit for?
A complete game
A completel game shutout
A loss
Nothing
6 of 10
There are men on second and third with two outs and the batter hits the ball out of the park. The runner on third accidentally misses home plate, but all of the other runners touch all of the bases. How many runs should score?
Zero
1
2
3
ANSWER: If a runner misses the base he is required to touch, it’s a force out, so by missing home plate, the runner on third ended the inning before any runs could score. If a runner misses the base he is required to touch, it’s a force out, so by missing home plate, the runner on third ended the inning before any runs could score.
7 of 10
True or false: It’s possible for a pitcher to give up a grand slam, but not be charged for any earned runs.
True
False
ANSWER: Let’s say the pitcher gets two quick outs in the inning, but then the next batter reaches on an error by the shortstop. Because the last play should have been an out and ended the inning, the pitcher is no longer charged for any runs he gives up that inning. Let’s say the pitcher gets two quick outs in the inning, but then the next batter reaches on an error by the shortstop. Because the last play should have been an out and ended the inning, the pitcher is no longer charged for any runs he gives up that inning.
8 of 10
According to a comprehensive list in ESPN Magazine, how many ways are there for a player to reach first base?
8
12
18
23
ANSWER: The list ranges from the mundane (single, error, walk) to the nitpicky (failure to deliver a pitch within 20 seconds) to the truly bizarre (a game is suspended with a runner on first and that player is traded prior to the makeup game and another runner takes his place). Take a look at the full list here. The list ranges from the mundane (single, error, walk) to the nitpicky (failure to deliver a pitch within 20 seconds) to the truly bizarre (a game is suspended with a runner on first and that player is traded prior to the makeup game and another runner takes his place). Take a look at the full list here.
9 of 10
Which of the following would not be a home run?
A ball that hits the foul pole and bounces into the stands
A ball that bounces off a players head and into the stands
A ball that bounces off a player’s glove above the yellow line and into the stands
A ball that bounces off a player’s glove in foul territory, then into the stands in fair territory
ANSWER: The foul pole is considered a home run, as is a ball that hits a player’s glove when it would it normally be a home run. A ball that hits a player’s body is still in play (this situation happened in a 1993 Rangers-Indians game). However, a ball that touches a player’s glove in foul territory is foul, regardless of where it lands. The foul pole is considered a home run, as is a ball that hits a player’s glove when it would it normally be a home run. A ball that hits a player’s body is still in play (this situation happened in a 1993 Rangers-Indians game). However, a ball that touches a player’s glove in foul territory is foul, regardless of where it lands.
10 of 10
In the first game of the season, a pitcher gives up two runs in the first five innings. In the sixth, he puts two runners on, then strikes the next two batters out. He gets pulled for a reliever, who promptly gives up a double that scores one run. He gets the next batter out, ending the inning. What is the starter’s ERA?
3.0
4.5
4.76
6.0
