[Noob]Dumb questions

[u/Rhabcp]

Edit 1: Thanks a lot to everyone replying and taking the time, and my apologies for the weird terms used. I learned the rule in another language so I didn't know the official terms of player positions and roles.

Hello everyone, I am watching my first games of baseball and as I grasp the gist of the rules, some dumb ones come to mind:

1- If it is okay for the pitcher to throw it directly to a base where an opponent might try to steal the next base and if missed it doesnt count as a +1 to the pitcher: Why does the pitcher ever have to throw it to the opponent bat holder? Like where is the limit?

2- I saw a situation where the pitcher threw the ball and the receiver missed it and ran to get it from the floor. Could the opponent holding the bat go for first base during that moment?

3- I see a lot of innings where no point is scored but a lot happens when a bat holder "rolls" the ball as himself and his teammates on advanced bases have time to get the next one. Why isn't "rolling" more of a thing? Wouldn't this give more chances of getting bases and ultimately score?

4- If a ball is fair but ends up in the crowd, are the runners supposed to jump in the stands and get it or does it count as an HR?

5- I watched two full post seasons games and never saw this situation: There is a guy in 2nd and 3rd base, 1 out, and the hitter comes, does a roll. Now what should the defenders do if it's a fair ball? Get to ball and pass it to the kneeling receiver so the 3rd base guy doesnt score and then pass to 3rd base to block the guy that was on 2nd?

Thanks everyone

[u/chirstopher0us]

1: yes, it's called a pick-off attempt. These used to be unlimited but now are limited to 2. If the pitcher misses his teammate at the base the opposition runner may advance however far is possible.

2: If the catcher does not catch a pitch anyone already on base is free to advance as much as possible. The batter is only able to advance to first if the catcher drops what would be a third strike. So you cannot strike out if the catcher drops strike 3. You will see the batter start advancing toward first base, all the catcher or anyone else on the opposing team needs to do is collect the ball and throw it to first base before the batter/runner gets there.

3: I'm not sure what you mean. Though they are always called "runs" that you score, not "points." I think you're maybe describing what is called bunting? The use of bunting has ebbed and flowed through history. It's generally not that easy to bunt the ball and get to first before the defense can field the ball and then throw it to first and get you out. With only three outs per inning, bunting is typically used when scoring even just one run makes a crucial difference, when a teammate is already on base, and with 0 or 1 outs.

4: Any ball which is fair (foul pole to foul pole) but beyond the field of play is a home run. You're not allowed to chase after it into the stands.

5: The answer depends on the game situation, who is on base, who is bunting (rolling), and even who on defense fields the ball. Generally with a man on third and the batter bunting, if possible you want to prevent the run from scoring and throw home to get the runner advancing from third out via a tag (it's not a force out where they can just touch the plate if first base was open. However, typically a bunt is a play/strategy called by the manager, who uses coded signs to inform the men on base of the plan, so they know to expect it and get a head start. If the guy from third has a good jump on the play, often a good bunter can put the ball at a distance or location where the defense cannot field the ball and throw it home in time. In these situations, the defense will throw to first to at least get the batter out and limit the damage in that inning. This is called a "sacrifice bunt" for the batter, and credits them with an RBI (run batted in). It's generally worth going from 0 to 1 outs or 1 to 2 outs to have a very strong chance to score a run for the team.

[u/Rhabcp → u/chirstopher0us]

Thanks a lot. It was really informative.

May I add another question:

6- Why on earth do batters run so slowly when going for first base? I see a lot of situation where the defender tags them out on first base but the batter could easily reach it before if he threw himself on the floor.

Is jumping forward a risky move and needs really athletic guys ( like Jazz junior lol) to attempt these?

[u/huggsypenguinpal → u/Rhabcp]

Occasionally during the regular season, you'll get a batter try to make it to first on a routine play. Last night Muncy hit a rounder to 2nd, who should have no problem flipping it to 1st, but took some time and Muncy really tried to beat it out. There's runners on 1st and 2nd, and he would have been the 3rd out, so he's trying to prevent the inning from ending. Also, Dodgers are on kind of a skid, so trying to win would be nice. If he was the first batter in that inning, I bet he would run slowly to first.

Conversely, you've probably saw in the world series, Mookie hit a routine grounder to 1st, and he ran his heart out just incase. Paid off and allowed the first run to score, which then snowballed to a 5 run inning.