• The designated hitter rule has been added to the American League’s baseball rules/regulations; however, the NL and baseball purists won’t consider the concept
• The infield fly rule entered the official baseball rules when infielders from the late 1800’s took advantage of its omission
• The balk was introduced to keep pitchers from using “dirty tricks” to lure runners off base

Here, at Electro-Mech, we not only produce electronic baseball scoreboards but we also provide you with all things sports- baseball included. Below are the three whales of baseball ruels regulations.

Official Baseball Rules: The Designated Hitter

The designated hitter rule was adopted by the American League in 1973 to add more offence and excitement to the game. The baseball rules/regulations state that a designated hitter (DH) can be used in place of another player (nearly always the pitcher) to bat in the lineup. Most other leagues around the world, from amateur to professional, added the DH to their official baseball rules. The only two known leagues not to have added the DH into their baseball rules/regulations are the Nippon Professional Baseball Central League and Major League Baseball’s National League.

The idea of adding a designated hitter to the official baseball rules first appeared in 1906 when Connie Mack, growing weary of pitchers striking out, made the proposal. It failed to pass year after year as purists of the game refused to budge and wouldn’t add it to the baseball rules/regulations. In the late 1960’s baseball’s offensive statistics began to nosedive and the subject of instituting the designated hitter rule resurfaced. This time it passed in an American League vote while the National League refused to participate.

Baseball Rules/Regulations: The Infield Fly

The infield fly was added to baseball scoring rules way back in 1895 due to infielders intentionally dropping the ball in order to get multiple outs. There is a lot of confusion in regards to the application of the infield fly rule among fans and players alike. For the infield fly rule to apply there has to be a runner on both first and second base (having the bases loaded applies) and only zero or one out in the inning. In this scenario, if the batter pops up into the infield, in fair territory, they are called out. According to the baseball rules, foul or fair must be determined by the umpire before invoking the infield fly rule.

Prior to 1895, runners on first and second would have to tag up on a fly ball. If a pop-up is hit to the third baseman, he could intentionally drop the ball, tag third for a force out, and throw to second for a double play. In some cases, a triple play could be had.

Baseball Rules: Pitch or Balk

We have to go in the “way-back” machine to when the balk first entered the official baseball rules in 1898. The balk refers to the pitcher making an illegal (read deceitful) motion when on the mound. If the pitcher is called on the balk rule then each base runner is awarded a base. There are a number of variations of the balk rule. I imagine that a whole course is offered on it in umpire school to be sure they understand the myriad of conditions that apply.