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Baseball
Take me out to the ballgame, the baseball game, that is! The baseball category is all about the game of baseball, America's pastime. Questions include what a baseball is made of, what bats are the best to use, what the bullpen is, and much more!
Total questions 24800
What is a walk-off home run and how does it differ from a wall-cough home run or the infamous Wahlkauff Homer for Chicago in 1936?
MLB JARGON CRISIS: Walk Off v Wall Cough v Wahlkauff Opinions and Answers That You Need To Know See WAHLKAUFF CNN Update at...
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How many ways can a batter reach first base?
1. Hit 2. Walk 3. Hit by Pitch 4. Fielder's Choice 5. Reached on Error (includes MLB Official Rule 7.05 i) 6. Dropped Third...
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What is a baseball made of a hard rock?
A cork nucleus is encased in two thin rubber layers. This is machine-wound with 121 yards of four-ply blue-gray wool yarn, 45...
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How do you place players in the batting order in baseball?
1 - The leadoff hitter is a player who can get on base. Preferably with speed so they can steal second to be driven in by the...
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Why is it called the bullpen?
This is from Tim McCarver, so take it with that in mind, but he said that it was born from a comment that an announcer made early...
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Which major league team once had three players vomit on the field at the same time?
I heard it was the Seattle Mariners outfield in the early 90's. Kevin Mitchell, Keen Griffey Jr., and Jay Buhner. But I have been...
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Why is there an American League and a National League?
The American League came to be in 1900. It was formed by joining together several minor league teams (and not by splitting off...
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How many baseballs are used during a MLB game?
Using an average life span of a baseball in a typical game as 6 pitches and the average number of pitches being 275 per game. The...
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How many players are there in Major League Baseball?
There are 30 Major League Baseball teams. Each has 25 players, so there are 750 players in the Major Leagues. From September 1...
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How can you have eight batters in one inning without scoring a run?
You can't .. assuming you interpret the question as "how can you have 8 at bats (or plate appearances) in a half-inning without...
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What is Major League Baseball's oldest ballpark?
Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, built in 1912, is currently the oldest ballpark in the MLB. Fenway Park is known nation...
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How do you get in touch with a baseball player?
You can get in touch with any baseball player simply by writing to them care of their home ballfield. Example, to get in touch...
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Where did the word 'fungo' in baseball come from?
Encarta- fun·go [ fúng gï ’ ] (plural fun·goes) noun 1. baseball shot: in baseball, an act of hitting the ball high...
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When was 'base ball' contracted in daily usage to the one word 'baseball'?
I don't think there was a specific date but according to Bill James's Historical Baseball Abstract "base ball" became "baseball"...
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When was the last time that both the NLCS and the ALCS went 7 games in the same year?
This one's easy. The last time this happened was 2003, when both the Red Sox-Yankees and Marlins-Cubs series went 7 games...
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What is the record for most consecutive shutout innings pitched by one team?
In 1910 The Portland Beavers win their second Pacific Coast League title, achieving a remarkable record in the process; Beavers’...
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What is the difference between a lead off second base with no outs and two out leads?
A lead off second base with no outs means that a runner has a lead off at second base with 2 out of three outs completed and two...
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Which side of the plate did Mickey Mantle hit his 500th home run from?
Mickey Mantle hit his 500th home run at Yankee Stadium on May 14, 1967. The solo blast came in the 7th inning against relief...
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Can a run count in a player's career but a game?
I say no. Here are two cases I can think of: Batter hits home run but doesn't touch home for some reason. This happened a...
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Why do some franchises have higher salaries than other teams?
Some franchises owners have more money than others, some spend more money on their team as opposed to other things, and some have...
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Why is tapping the ball called bunting?
Webster's Online Dictionary reports that the etymology of the word "bunt" in this sense is simply as an alteration of the word...
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What pitcher threw four consecutive home run pitches in a single inning?
paul foytack Paul Foytack gave up four consecutive home runs to Woodie Held, Pedro Ramos, Tito Francona, and Larry Brown of...
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What does the -number weight drop on bats mean?
It designates the Length to Weight difference - i.e. if a bat's length is 34 in and is a -5 bat, then its weight is 29...
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When was the first MLB night game?
The first MLB night game was played on May 24th, 1935 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati between the Reds and the Philadelphia...
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What is the difference between soccer cleats and baseball cleats?
On baseball cleats they have an extra spike on the bottom below the toe while the soccer cleat does not
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Was there ever a team called the Black Sox?
In 1919, the Chicago White Sox, who were heavily favored to win the World Series that year, surprisingly lost to the Cincinnati...
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Has any one athlete ever played all three professional sports - baseball football and basketball?
JIM THORPE starred in professional football, played Major League Baseball and also had a short stint in professional...
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What stadium was the squirrel crawling across the backstop and Barry Bonds almost hit it?
I'm sure it was at a Cardinals game at Busch.
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What is the furthest that two opposing pitchers have taken a no-hitter into the same game?
I wrote to Rob Neyer of ESPN, and got this response: That's an easy one: on May 2,1917, Hippo Vaughn and Fred Toney both have...
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Does Antonio Alfonseca really have six fingers on his hands?
Antonio Alfonseca, former pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization - has six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. His...
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What game was lost because the runner did not step on first base?
You may be referring to "Merkle's Boner" in which he did not step on second base but ran off the field to avoid a mob but was...
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Why do baseball players not shake hands after the game?
My guess would be because there are 162 games in a year. If you lose, you walk to the dugout and hit the showers. If you win, you...
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What year was the Star Spangled Banner first played at a Major League Baseball game?
Started in 1941; by 1942 it was played in all Ballparks.
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Do errors and fielders choice factor into on base percentage?
For on-base percentage it still counts as an at bat and the hitter is NOT credited with an 'on base' so whether its an error or a...
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How can you get next year's baseball schedule?
Wait for it to be published. When the schedule is announced most web sites will print the schedule on their site (of course,...
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Why is home plate a different shape and size as the other bases?
Because the plate forms the diamond. Theoretically you could have the four bases, go anywhere and use the home plate as the...
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What is the record for the most players traded for a single player in professional baseball?
Could this be the Von Hayes famous 5 for 1 trade from Cleveland to Philly? ---------------------------------------------------- ...
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Why did baseball and recreational activities flourish during the 1920's?
One reason why recreational activities, such as baseball, flourished during the twenties is simple economics. Since the upper...
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What is the history of the South Carolina Gamecocks?
(written by igaveupudid2 of the Dawgvent) On December 24 1892, The University of South Carolina began a storied football...
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What does the number 714 represent in baseball?
The number 714 represents the career total of home runs hit by Babe Ruth. This was the home run career record until Hank Aaron...
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What is the record for the biggest increase in the number of wins from one MLB season to the next?
After the 2003 Detroit tigers had a 43 win-119 loss season i remeber reading in the newspaper that if in 2004, they tied the...
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Who hit the longest home run in MLB history?
The player who hit the verifiable longest homerun is Mickey Mantle not Babe Ruth which was measured at 634 feet. Babe hit a lot...
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What does the 'H' stand for in the pitcher's box score in baseball?
hit that's what it stand for in the box score, but when it is located next to their name such as Name (H, 4) it means hold,...
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How do you get tickets to Seattle Mariners spring training games?
you can goto , and get tickets for spring training there.
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What is the value of a vintage Babe Ruth pin or button?
Ruth endorsed and promoted many products during and after his career - he was also a great self-promoter. As such, there are...
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How many types of pitches are there?
Not counting screwy stuff like spit balls, underhand from softball, and the like: 2 Seam Fastball (tails backwards) 4 Seam...
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How many players are on a baseball team?
25 on the team 9 on the field The American League has 10 starters. 9 on the field and 1 designated hitter. Each team carries...
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When did baseball managers stop wearing civilian clothes in the dugout and start wearing uniforms and what was the reason for the change?
There was never a time when it was usual for managers to wear street clothes in the dugout. The original reason managers wore the...
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What player hit the very first home run in the Houston AstroDome?
Mickey Mantle hit the very first home run ever there in an exhibition game in 1965. Richie Allen of the Philadelpohia Phillies...
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How many players are in MLB?
750 (30 teams each with a 25 man roster) There are 750 players in the MLB; 30 teams with 25 players each. That's a kind...
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What is the record for the most strikeouts in a major league baseball game by an individual hitter?
Many Players have Struck out 5 times in one game. That is the record. The record for a nine inning game is (5), but in an...
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Where can you find information about Pete Rose's 3000th hit?
Rose got his 3000th hit on May 5, 1978 off of Montreal pitcher Steve Rogers.
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Who founded Major League Baseball?
Abner Doubleday founded baseball after watching people in a corn field with a stick hit a wooden ball. After he asked what they...
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Has any baseball player pitched a perfect game and lost?
Technically, that's impossible, since a perfect game means no one reached base. There have been a few cases where a pitcher...
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Which dugout does the home team sit in for little league?
In little league baseball and softball, there is no rule stating which dugout the home team must use. Usually, there is a coin...
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How many times have the University of Miami Hurricanes played in a national championship game?
I know there were at least 3 in the eighties, and possibly 3 in the nineties. But my question is: do you count the humiliating...
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What was the highest number of runs ever scored by a single team in a Major League Baseball game?
The most runs scored by a single team in a Major League Baseball game is 36, set by the Chicago Colts (now the Chicago Cubs)...
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How many minor league options does a professional baseball player get and what happens when they're all gone?
Players actually get three option years. That is, three years in which they are on the 40 man roster, but not on the 25 man...
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What is the regulation height for a pitchers mound?
According to Major League Baseball rules, the peak of the mound (where the pitching rubber sits)must be ten inches above the...
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How and where do you write to former Red Sox player Johnny Damon?
Try sending a letter to: Mr. Johnny Damon Yankee Stadium New York, NY (You would have to find the zip code for New...
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What is the proper etiquette for doing the wave at a baseball game is it to motivate the batter and rattle the pitcher?
It is intended to distract the opposing teams pitcher as it rounds home plate, but usually it is done because the fans are bored...
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Does Major League Baseball have trophies like hockey's Stanley Cup?
The trophy awarded to the World Series winner is called the Commissioner's Trophy. Unlike the Cup, a new Commissioner's Trophy is...
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What was the fastest pitch ever thrown?
Bob Feller threw a 2-seam at 107.9 at Griffith Stadium
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How can you contact people who played in the Negro League?
That would be fun to talk to them but most have them have passed away by now+ You may wish to contact the Negro League...
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What are the save situations?
In order to record a save under baseball rules, the following must happen: The pitcher must be the last to appear in a game...
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How many innings was the longest baseball game in Major League history?
The longest MLB game by innings was on May 1, 1920 between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves and lasted 26 innings. The game...
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Has there ever been a female professional baseball player?
Professional? Yes, there are women who get paid to play, but not in the Major Leagues, i.e. for the Yankees, et al. which is...
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How do you determine percentages in stats such as batting average and ERA?
Batting average is hits divided by at bats (hits + outs + reached on error). ERA is earned runs divided by innings pitched,...
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Whose home run record did Mark McGwire beat?
Roger Maris (61)
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Which MLB shortstop has the highest lifetime batting average?
i believe that distiction goes to honus wagner.although not a shortstop his entire career he has a 329 lifetime avg.
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What is the fewest number of pitches that can be thrown by both teams combined in a regular game?
In a full-length game the minimum number of pitches is 52. Every out must be recorded on a single pitch, whether by ground-out or...
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How old is Mark McGwire?
He was born October 1, 1963, which makes him now 44 going on 45.
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What pitcher has played on the same team four different times?
Any number of them, especially if you count a guy who kept going back and forth between the minors and a big-league club. The...
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Where do you start measuring the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate?
the front of the rubber torward the plate. It depends ... you can start there or at the back of the plate but the front of the...
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Who in recent history has hit the most foul balls in one up at bat?
At a High school softball game and the batter hit 21 foul balls in 26 pitches. She then walked.
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Why are there more teams in the National League than the American League?
So "interleague play" isn't daily and every team can play a game. Otherwise, there would either be one team from each league that...
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Who hit the first home run in Major League Baseball history?
It was hit by Barry Bonds
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Does sliding into first base make you reach base faster?
The case for "no": Sliding into first base does not make you reach the base any faster. Doing this has to be one of the least...
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Where can you find information about Larry D Prewitt a former minor league pitcher for the San Francisco Giants?
Larry once threw a no hitter in 1977 with the Jackson Mets.
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How many possible ways can a baserunner be put out?
thrown out picked off forced out taged out called out for out of baseline removal of helmet is automatic A baserunner that is...
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When and why did they start wearing batting and catching helmets?
Retrieved from "http:en.wikipedia.org the free encyclopedia A batting helmet is the protective headgear worn by batters in a...
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Does a player actually have to play any time in the majors in a given year to use up one of his minor league options after the first?
no. once he is called up he uses one of his options
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Has there ever been a 'no hitter' pitched with a score by the opposing team?
Probably the most infamous case happened on July 1, 1991. New York Yankees @ Chicago White Sox. Andy Hawkins pitched a no-hitter...
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Which MLB player takes credit for nicknaming MC Hammer?
MC Hammer was named because of his likeness to Hammerin' Hank Aaron. To get the answer to this question, you need to look at...
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Who was the last player to play all 9 positions in the same game?
The most recent was Shane Halter for Detroit on 10-1-2000. Three other players have played all 9 positions in a 9 inning game:...
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Why is important that players run to the bases between innings?
I think it's mainly a case of staying loose and avoiding cramps.
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What is the largest number of teams a single professional baseball player has played for?
Mike Morgan, a pitcher whose career spanned 1978-2002, pitched for 12 different teams during his career. Those teams were the...
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How many attempted steals of home occurred in MLB in 2006?
3
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How many strikeouts can a pitcher get in one inning?
Unlimited: If third strike gets past the catcher the runner can advance to the base and it could keep going.... :-) 3. If the...
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What is the most consecutive shutout innings pitched by one team in the majors?
I'm not sure about the total by one team... but the most total by one player was Orel Hershiser of The Dodgers when he went 59...
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How popular was baseball in the 1920's?
Baseball became more of a lifestyle for people in the 1920s. In part because radios were broadcasting games, new stadiums were...
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Why are many first basemen left-handed?
because lets say your a lefty and your on first base and the throw is heading at the runner it is not so hard to get it but if...
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Why is baseball not popular any more?
Baseball is still popular, but is declining in polularity among American youth. Several reasons have been advanced for...
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What year did baseball outfielders start carrying their baseball gloves into the dugout instead of leaving them on the field?
1954 Offensive players are required to "carry all gloves and other equipment off the field . . . while their team is at bat."...
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What is the record for most pitches for a single at bat?
Alex Cora, since baseball started counting pitches in an at bat somewhere in the 80's. It was an 18 pitch AB while playing for...
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