Baseball's Unwritten Rules

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by UWHabs

Bunting for a base hit in a no-hitter late in a game that's 10-0 is a big no-no. But if the game is 0-0 or 1-0, then by all means I'm winning however I can. If it means leaning in to a pitch with a perfect game on the line, screw you.


That being said, stuff like stealing a base or bunting late in a blowout are things that I would consider as the unwritten rules that make sense. Sometimes you don't want to rub it in too much to the other side. Like in hockey when you put your 3rd line on the PP late in the 4-0 game.

I respect those who believe that, but I sure don't. I'll do anything I can to break up that no-hitter. It's my job to play the game hard every time I play. It's not my job to help a pitcher pad his personal stats. If he wants the no-no, he can damned well earn it, all 27 outs, not 26 or 25 and some help on the others. He better play hard and throw the right pitches if he wants his no-no, and hope his manager and teammates are helping him by guarding against the bunt, since it's his manager and his teammates job to do that (help him), not mine.

[Questdog]

I think that free agency has created most of this girlie man crap.....

It is no longer us against them as us will be them next season and them will be us.....

[The Wolf]

Baseball Digest's list of the unwritten rules of baseball:

"1 Never put the tying or go-ahead run on base.
2 Play for the tie at home, go for the victory on the road.
3 Don't hit and run with an 0-2 count.
4 Don't play the infield in early in the game.
5 Never make the first or third out at third.
6 Never steal when you're two or more runs down.
7 Don't steal when you're well ahead.
8 Don't steal third with two outs.
9 Don't bunt for a hit when you need a sacrifice.
10. Never throw behind the runner.
11 Left and right fielders concede everything to center fielder.
12 Never give up a home run on an 0-2 count.
13 Never let the score influence the way you manage.
14 Don't go against the percentages.
15 Take a strike when your club is behind in a ballgame.
16 Leadoff hitter must be a base stealer. Designated hitter must be a power hitter.
17 Never give an intentional walk if first base is occupied.
18 With runners in scoring position and first base open, walk the number eight hitter to get to the pitcher.
19 In rundown situations, always run the runner back toward the base from which he came.
20 If you play for one run, that's all you'll get.
21 Don't bunt with a power hitter up.
22 Don't take the bat out of your best hitter's hands by sacrificing in front of him.
23 Only use your bullpen stopper in late-inning situations.
24 Don't use your stopper in a tie game - only when you're ahead.
25 Hit behind the runner at first.
26 If one of your players gets knocked down by a pitch, retaliate.
27 Hit the ball where it's pitched.
28 A manager should remain detached from his players.
29 Never mention a no-hitter while it's in progress.
30 With a right-hander on the mound, don't walk a right-handed hitter to pitch to a left-handed hitter."

[The Wolf]

Ten Unwritten Rules You Might Not Know, by Jason Turbow

"1. Don't swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home runs

2. Don't work the count when your team is up or down by a lot.

3. When hit by a pitch, don't rub the mark.

4. Don't stand on the dirt cutout at home plate while a pitcher is warming up.

5. Don't walk in front of a catcher or umpire when getting into batter's box.

6. Don't help the opposition make a play (bracing them from falling into the dugout, etc.)

7. Relievers take it easy when facing other relievers.

8. Follow the umpire's Code when addressing them on the field.

9. Pitchers stay in the dugout at least until the end of the inning in which they get pulled.

10. Pitchers never show up their fielders."