why in baseball the players slide to home plate and not just run up to home plate???
446568
They don't always slide -- if they are coming in and there will clearly be no play at the plate, the runner will go across standing up. The slide is used when the ball comes home to the catcher so the runner can try to avoid the tag.
576662
in order for them to be out, they have to make contact with the ball.  it would just be a strike or a ball (depending on where the pitch is thrown)
455165
A walkoff home run is a home that wins the game for the home team. This can be a home run when the game is either tied or when the home team is behind after the top of the ninth inning. I guess to explain it even better here is an example.\n\nThe the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs are tied in the bottom of the ninth inning that the Cubs are playing at home. Then someone hits a home run and the game is over. That is what a walk off home run is.\n\nI hope this helps.
468776
There is something a little bit precarious about pitching from a mound...Stepping forward and down at the batter in the midst of a aggressive pitching motion while wearing cleats.  The throwing mechanics of the pitching motion can mostly be duplicated on flat grounf and allow the recovering pitcher to keep his arm lively while not risking any sort of slip from the pitching rubber.  I liken it to a flight simulator training for pilots before going up in the actual plane.
996452
Good question.  My UNFOUNDED GUESS is that as the game started, more players (like the rest of the population) were right-handed.  If you bat right-handed, running counter-clockwise means you don't have to turn around when leaving the batter's box.  So running in that direction was just easier for most batters.\n\nThat's all I can think of...I'm curious to know the real explanation.
445148
i think it has to do with what happens when there is some contact.  a player trips over another players leg, then proceeds to roll around on the ground screaming like he just got shot.  then he gets carried off on a stretcher only to return to the game 2 minutes later.  bunch of sissy drama queens if you ask me.
41038
The more equipment you put on a player, the less a player can move. The problem is no one thought that some of these players would end up being dump truck size monsters who could hit a stop sign and bend it forward. The players are just way to big to invent something to protect them better. The legs are quite fragile in that there isn't much protecting them. As for concussions, human heads were not meant to get that kind of contact. THe helmets have been improved to the point that hitters are now using there heads to hurt the opponent. So nothing will prevent these injuries unless you have 150 lb players playing the game.
13269
The question's a little vague, and there aren't many official resources for information like this, but I'll do my best.  Once you hit the ball, you begin to run as quickly as possible to first base.  It's ill-advised to slide, since you're permitted to overrun the bag, and running past the bag is faster than sliding into it.  If it appears that the ball has gotten past an outfielder (e.g., into a gap, into a corner), you'll want to at least round the bag at first and consider going to second, depending on how you judge the ball and what the first base coach instructs.
675594
this is called "throwing the ball around the horn".\nit's meant to be rejuvinating for the players in the field.\nit only happens when there are no runners on base.\nwhen the pitcher is doing well and striking out lots of batters, the fielders have a tendency to get bored, even tired faster.  so the catcher will throw the ball down to the third baseman (sometimes they throw the ball "around the horn" starting at first base) when there is a strikeout, and the third baseman throws it to the second baseman or the shortstop, depending on how that particular infield likes to do it.  if you pay close attention, you will notice that the first baseman is usually omitted from this ritual.\nwhen the infielders throw the ball "around the horn" after a strikeout, it only goes to one corner infielder and the two middle infielders.
1115190
It depends on whether they're using a pinch runner OR something called a courtesy runner.  Pinch runners are actually players that will go in for the player they're running for in the lineup, i.e. a replacement.\n\nCourtesy runners are typically for the pitcher and catcher, mainly to keep the pitcher from getting tired running the bases and the catcher to help speed up the game so he can get his gear on between innings.  (Rules state the time between innings should be limited to ONE MINUTE or eight pitches, whichever comes first).  When courtesy runners are used, to prevent the coach from simply picking his fastest runner, the player that can run should be the last batter who got out.  This explains why the boy who just struck out was the runner.
63369
Trying to add more punch or power to the offense with Ichiro and Reed in the outfield ( great for defense) that hampers the offesive production.  Usually the outfield, 1st and 3rd base are the positions for power.  Also trying to repair a rotation you have to give up talent to get talent.  So since the free agents all want $$$$$$ they are looking to add more to the rotation without breaking the bank.
692380
The plate appearance counts but the base doesn't.  the play counts the same as if the fielder did not committ the error.  So if a hitter reaches base via error, their OB% will go down.
507713
Superstitious. A lot of ball players are. I remember there was one pitcher who wouldn't step on the white chalk line when he returned to the dug out. Others take two practice swings before going to the plate. It's all mental, but if it helps to calm them down, why not?
303074
A lot of them are usually due to the fact the players try to do too much too soon.  Also as I'm sure you've noticed, there is a lot of time between plays, so unlike most of the other sports, baseball players are unable to keep their muscles warm, and then required to use them at full speed for a short amount of time.  Think of that poor RF who could conceivably go through an entire game of about 2.5 hours without having a ball hit to him, and then in the bottom of the 9th may have to make a 300+ft throw to home to save a run.  That'll kill your arm in a hurry, especially early in the season.
184219
If I remember correctly from my umpiring days, if a defensive player throws any part of his equipment at a batted ball and it makes contact, the batter and runners are awarded 3 bases, (It's the only 3 base award, and the most  severe) but the ball is still alive, and the batter can try to take home on his own if he/she wishes.  It doesn't matter on the park or the league, it is not an individual ground rule.\n\nFrom the baseball rule book:\n\n7.05\nEach runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance...(b) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril;  c) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.
188381
Same reason Flintoff or Pietersen can't open an innings.  There has always been a case for someone to open up a lead and then the big hitters come in to push the score up.  Especially when the ball is new and it can swing, bounce extra which is more of a liability to these type of players.
563051
The situation might change. For instance, if there is only one runner on third base and the pitcher balks, there is suddenly nobody on base. There isn't much reason to intentionally walk a guy at that point. Other than that, I can't really imagine a time when you might do this.