wickart@iuvax.UUCP (05/09/84)
Due to many requests, here is the solution to the problem of getting four LEGAL OUTS (not just strkeouts for the pitcher) in one inning: Assume one out, Andrews on third, Beeblebrox on first, Carmen at the plate. Carmen hits a long fly, which is caught (Second out). Andrews breaks for the plate. The throw from the outfield gets there too late. As Beeblebrox rounds second, he is caught in a rundown, and eventually tagged out (Third out). Since there was a break in continuity of the play, the run is, at present time, good. The third basean calls for the ball, steps on third, and appeals to the umpire that Andrews left before the fly was caught. The appeal is upheld, and the scorer is required to score a fourth out in order to nullify the run, with a fourth put-out credited to the third baseman. Note that, with the bases loaded and two outs, an apparent inside- the park home run could, with four appeals, produce SIX outs in an inning under the same scoring rule.
wickart@iuvax.UUCP (05/09/84)
Striking out yourself: Assume that Andrews is pitching for the Mets, and Beeblebrox is pitching for the Cubs. Also assume that Andrews is batting. When the count gets to 0 and 2, a torrential downpour halts play. Eventually, the umpire-in-chief suspends the game, to be completed when the Mets return to Chicago in August. On July 1, atrade is closed in which Andrews is sent to the Cubs, with Beeblebrox going to the Mets. W WHen the game is reconvened in August, The Cubs are forced to provide a new pitcher, as Beeblebrox is no longer with the team. They put Andrews on the mound. Since the count on the batter was 0-2 when the game was suspended, when the Mets send a pinch hitter to the plate (as Andrews is no longer with THEIR team), Andrews is the batter of record. Andrews, on the mound, throws a screaming fast ball for strike three. Andrews, the batter of record, has struck out, and Andrews, the completing pitcher, notches a strikeout. Note that Beeblebrox, however, is credited with the 1/3 of an inning pitched, as he is the pitcher of record for that batter.