ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT BASEBALL? WE HAVE THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF YOUR MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL) QUERIES.
PLEASE GIVE ME THE BASICS SO I KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON WHEN I WATCH A GAME.
There are three outs per inning in a nine-inning game. Should the game be tied at the end of nine innings, the game will go into extra innings.
The visiting team is always listed first on the scoreboard and they also hit first. (Think: letting your guests go first).
Four balls equal a walk and three strikes equal a strikeout. The number of balls a batter has is always listed first on the scoreboard with strikes second. (Balls-strikes)
HOW LONG IS THE MLB BASEBALL SEASON?
Normally the MLB season is the longest regular season in professional sports with 162 games. Baseball is only major professional sport to start and finish the season in the same calendar year. Due to COVID, the 2020 season will only be 60 games.
What are some changes for the 2020 season?
A universal designated hitter (DH). Previously only the American League had a DH and the National League did not. Now both leagues will use a DH. A DH is a player who hits in place for another player, typically the pitcher. Pitchers spend so much time honing their craft that they don’t spend as much time practicing hitting the ball as other players, hence the DH. This change is only temporary.
This is an off-season rule change for 2020 that will remain. Relievers (pitchers) who enter the game must face at least three batters or finish an inning before being removed (with exceptions for injury or illness). Before, pitchers could come in for one batter and then leave the game. That took a really long time. Enter in this new rule.
Another rule they’re trying on for size this season is for extra innings. Instead of starting from scratch each time a team comes up to bat in extra innings, the inning will begin with a runner on second base.
Here are more details if you need them.
WHAT ARE THE AMERICAN AND NATIONAL LEAGUE?
MLB is divided into two leagues – NL (National League) and AL (American League). What’s the difference? With the exception of this year, in the NL pitchers bat for themselves. In the AL, pitchers don’t hit. They have a designated hitter (a player who only hits, doesn’t play a field position) to hit for them.
WHAT DOES THE PHRASE "CAN OF CORN" MEAN?
Can of corn is a phrase used to describe a high pop up ball that's easy to catch. It doesn't require a lot of effort from the defensive player. Now why is it called that? The story says it's because in the grocery stores corn was on the top shelf (thanks to alphabetizing the veggies). Therefore when someone needed a can of corn the grocer would knock it down and catch it with ease.
WHY DO THE BROADCASTERS REFER TO NUMBERS WHEN TALKING ABOUT A DEFENSIVE PLAY?
There are nine players on defense (out in the field). Each position has a name but is also referred to as number, 1-9. While watching baseball, you may here of a 4-6-3 defensive play. That means the ball went to the second baseman, to the shortstop to the first baseman for a double play. Here's a deeper dive into the name and number breakdown.
WHERE IS THE 2020 ALL-STAR GAME?
Due to the shortened 2020 season, there will be no all-star game.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LETTER “K’S” I SEE ON THE BROADCAST AND WHY ARE SOME OF THEM BACKWARDS?
Strikeouts are measured by “K’s” on the game broadcast and throughout stadium. A forward-facing K means the player struck out swinging (and missed). A backwards K means strikeout looking (i.e. they didn’t swing and were called out by the umpire). Photo.
HOW DOES THE LEAGUE KEEP TEAMS COMPETITIVE AND THE SEASON INTERESTING YEAR AFTER YEAR?
MLB does not have a salary cap like other professional leagues. Instead MLB has a Competitive Balance Tax or “luxury tax.” Once a team’s annual player payroll hits a certain number (this year it’s $208 million), they are taxed. The tax was put in place so big market teams (think: New York Yankees) wouldn’t sign all of the best players, leaving the small market teams at a competitive disadvantage. Where does the tax money go? Find out more here.
WHAT IS A GRAND SLAM?
Yes, a grand slam is a meal at Denny’s but in baseball it’s when there are runners on all three bases (first, second and third) and the batter hits a home run which equals four runs scored.
BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE CALLED THE BOYS OF SUMMER, BUT WHY?
Baseball is the only sport that spans the entire summer.
WHAT’S AN INTENTIONAL WALK?
An intentional walk is when a pitcher intentionally throws four balls outside the strike zone to walk a hitter. (It’s a strategy thing). To help speed up games a new rule was implemented that allows teams to signal for the walk and not waste time on throwing the four the pitches.
WHAT IS INTERLEAGUE PLAY?
Interleague Play refers to special occasion where the American League and National League play each other. Normally the teams only play within their respective league. The league of the home team determines whether a designated hitter is used or not.
THIS IS ALL GREAT BUT I’M NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW TO DIVE INTO THE BASEBALL CONVERSATION.
Don’t worry, we have you covered. Check out our Office Guide to Baseball Small Talk.
