Some Interesting Rules In Baseball That Fans Don't Know

May be a lot of us believe in the old sayings of baseball as if they are rules. Unfortunately, they are rarely accurate.

The batter-runner is out if he doesn't beat the throw to first-base. The batter-runner is safe if he beats the throw to first-base. He is out when a throw beats him to a forced base. He is safe when he beats the throw to a forced base.

Notice that all four of those gems have either the throw bearing the runner or the runner beating the throw. There's no rule that awards a base if both arrive at the same time. Besides, it's all but impossible for there to be a tie. One arrives before the other. As an umpire for nearly thirty years, we say, “Tie goes to the umpire. When in doubt, ring him out!” Umpires aren't paid by the hour, they're paid by the out.

A play being appealed must be done during a live ball. Since the ball is live, any runner may advance at his own peril. Which means the pitcher needs to stay aware of other runners when making an appeal.

Any fielder can state the appeal to the umpire; a fielder must state the appeal.

If the ball became dead, the pitcher must have the ball, must make contact with the pitcher's rubber, the umpire must call, 'Play' and then the pitcher must step from the rubber and initiate the appeal.

The batter isn't out just because a part of his foot touches home plate when he hits the ball.

As long as part of that foot is still in contact with the batter's box, there's no rule prohibiting the batter's foot from being in contact with home plate.

However, if the batter's foot is only in contact with home plate when contact is made with the ball, then the batter's foot was not inside the batter's box, the ball is dead, and the batter is called out.

A few of our favorites Baseball rules that a lot of fans don’t know:

Every runner including the batter-runner gets 3-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 same is true if a player throws his glove and touches a fair ball.
If it’s a thrown ball instead of a batted ball, the runners only get 2-bases.
The rules specify that the field must be laid out in the following order:

Establish the position of home plate.
Measure 127 feet, 3–3/8 inches to locate second base.
Measure 90-feet from home plate and 90-feet from second base to position 1st and 3rd bases.

Bats must be made of solid wood, but there's no statement regarding what type of wood can be used.
Until the game starts, the home team has sole discretion as to whether the game will be delayed or postponed due to weather. Once the game begins, the umpires have sole discretion over this.
Rule 5.02 (c) says “Except the pitcher and the catcher, any fielder may station himself anywhere in fair territory.” This has become a topic of discussion with many people wanting to outlaw “shifts”, but this rule makes them explicitly legal.
A fair ball that bounces into the stands isn't a “ground rule double”. “Ground rules” are rules that are specific to a particular park; a fair ball that bounces into the stands is simply a double as defined by the rule book in any park.
If 2-runners occupy a base at the same time and a fielder tags both of them with the ball, the trailing runner is the one called out.
And finally, one that’s never enforced. Rule 5.07-(c): “When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within twelve (12) seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.” The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter's in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.”

There are a lot of rules in every sport that are misunderstood, or simply not well known. Rarely does a play hang on applying a single rule; usually, multiple rules apply during a play. That is true in all sports.