Baseball has always been a game that is enjoyed by people of all ages. There’s something about watching the game that makes you feel like the action is right there with you. Unfortunately, the actual action can get a little confusing at times. In this article, we will try to clear up the meaning of the term ‘action’ in baseball betting, so you can make the most of online betting sites when placing your wagers.
The Meaning Of Action In Baseball
Traditionally, the word ‘action’ has been used to describe the physical act of playing baseball. However, over the years, the meaning of ‘action’ in baseball has expanded to include a number of different situations. The most common usages of ‘action’ are listed below.
At The Start Of Play
In the early stages of play, when the pitchers are warming up and the batters are getting ready to stretch, the game is not considered in ‘action’. Although the ball is in play and there is action, the game isn’t yet in progress. This is because the ball is not yet in the hands of the hitters, and the pitchers are not yet ready to pitch.
During A Pitching Change
When a pitching change is made during the game, the game goes into ‘intermission’ while the pitchers get a moment of rest. After the break, the game is considered in ‘action’ again, with the same rules applying as before the break. For example, if the ball hits the ground during a pitching change and is then picked up, that is considered a hit even though there was no play before the ball was touched.
During A Hit
A batted ball that is initially in the air is considered a ‘hit’ until it touches the ground. Once the ball hits the ground, it is no longer considered a ‘hit’. This is why, even though there was no play before the ball was hit, it is considered a ‘hit’ when the batter stands on first base, due to the fact that he was the one who made the contact. If the contact was made by another player, it is not considered a ‘hit’ and the batter is safe at first base. This rule also applies when a ‘fly ball’ is caught by the catcher. If the catcher throws the ball to first base and the batter reaches base safely, it is not counted as a ‘hit’. If the catcher touches the ground with the ball before throwing it to first base, it is still considered a ‘hit’, but the batter is not out because the catcher interfered with the play. This rule also applies if there is a close play at home plate and it goes to the ‘appeal’ process. In these cases, the umpire’s call is final.
After An Out
After an out, whether it be a strikeout, pop-up, or incomplete, teams re-set and the batting order goes back to the top of the lineup. Once the team is in the proper position, the game is considered in ‘action’. From this point on, the same rules apply as before the out. For example, if a hit by pitch results in a run scoring, the batter is considered to be ‘innocent’ because he did not touch the ball with his bat. This leads into the following rule:
- Once the batter is ‘innocent’ due to a hit by pitch, any further hits resulting in runs are not counted as ‘hits’ and the batter is out. This rule applies even if the hits continue after the batter is out (e.g. due to a balk, wild pitch, or passed ball). This is why, if a batter is hit by a pitch and reaches first base safely, he still has to stay there until the end of the inning even though he has been out for a few minutes. For more on this topic, see our article on Hitting Bats In The Slot below.
More Than Meets The Eye
While most people think of ‘action’ in baseball only when referring to the physical play during the game, the term can also apply to situations that aren’t necessarily related to baseball. Below, we will discuss some of the more common uses of ‘action’ in baseball, as well as how these situations affect your ability to win at online betting sites.
Reruns
Once the game has ended and the players have shaken hands, the umpires will make the proper calls, ejections, and statistics are tallied, the game is considered to be ‘over’. However, once the game is over and the teams have shuffled off the field, there is often a brief period of post-game activities. During this time, the same rules that applied during the game often times continue to apply. This is why ‘reruns’ of the game frequently occur, with the teams getting another chance at revenge or demonstrating their superiority.
Scoring
When a game is in progress and there is a tally at the end of the inning, the game is not yet considered in ‘action’. However, once the inning is over and the score is tallied, the game is considered in ‘action’. In many cases, this will result in a pitching change, as managers often decide to remove the weakest link from the pitching rotation once the score is tallied. While a pitching change is always a possibility, it is not necessarily guaranteed. Some managers may decide to stay with the same pitcher, even if he is far from being his best. This is why, once the score is tallied, the game is considered in ‘action’, with the same rules applying as before the end of the inning.
Intermissions
Even when a game is not in progress, there is still often a break between innings. During these breaks, the game is not considered in ‘action’, with the same rules applying as before the break. For example, if a ball is hit into the outfield and the batter races around to catch it, that is considered a run because there was no play for the duration of the break. If the ball had hit the ground, it would not have been considered a run because there was no play during the break. This rule also applies if a defensive substitution is made during an intermission and the batter reaches first base safely. In these cases, the umpire’s call is final.
Balk
A balk occurs when a pitcher initiates a throw to first base, but either (a) the ball misses the target or (b) the ball goes between the catcher and first baseman and is not handled properly. If the pitch is missed by the catcher, it is not considered a balk. However, if the ball is accidentally handed to first base before the pitcher has completed the throw, it is considered a balk. The umpire’s ruling on whether or not a balk has occurred is final. This is why, even if it was a perfectly executed throw, a balk will still be called if the catcher makes the mistake of handing the ball to first base before the pitch was completed. As a general rule, an average or below-average pitcher will have a high number of balked pitches per game. The opposite is true for above-average pitchers. This makes it easy to identify which pitchers have the best and worst control. It is also worth noting that a balk is not only limited to pitchers. Any offense that is unable to execute a throw and has the referee call a balk is guilty of this offense. This can lead to some very interesting situations, especially when two or more offenses are competing for a single play at the plate. These situations frequently lead to some pretty amazing accidents.