Getting Caught In A Rundown In Baseball

Maybe you're a fan of watching major league baseball on TV but you're not familiar with all the baseball situations or how to score baseball. Maybe one of these baseball situations is the rundown. The terminology announcers and baseball scorekeepers use is "getting caught in a rundown".

Getting caught in a Rundown is a situation when a baserunner is stranded between two bases and is in a position to be tagged out. In order for a rundown to occur, the runner cannot be in a "forced" position

[NOTE: A "force" occurs when a runner is forced to vacate the base he is on because the runner or batter behind him has no means of retreat. Another way of putting it is if there was a runner on first base and the batter hits a ground ball; the batter has no choice but to run to first base. And that means the runner on first can't stay there - he has no recourse but to try to advance to second base].

Getting caught in a rundown happens many times when a base runner attempts to advance to the next base but is cut off by a fielder, who then "runs" the runner back to the originating base.

While doing this, the fielder throws the ball to another fielder at the originating base, forcing the runner to reverse course and head to the next base (for the second time). This scenario can be repeated over and over again.

There can be three outcomes:
1 the runner is tagged out,
2 the runner gets back to the originating base safely or
3 the runner successfully advances to the next base.

If you wanted to score the rundown situation in a baseball score book you must include every defensive player who was involved in the play (who touched the ball), from beginning to end.

Let's run through a simple example of a baseball getting caught in a rundown. Here is the situation:

There is a man on second base with no outs.

The batter hits a ground ball to the second baseman. The runner on second base takes off toward third base.

The second baseball catches the ground ball and throws it to the third baseman covering third base.

However, the runner becomes aware of the situation, stops running toward third base, turns around, and then heads back to second base.

Now the third baseman sees that runner is heading back toward second and he throws the ball to the second basemen who is now covering second base.

The runner then realizes if he continues back to second base he might be tagged out by the second baseman. So what does he do? He stops, turns around, and again, runs toward third base.

The second basemen reacts by throwing the ball back to the third baseman covering third base.

The play ends when the third baseman catches the ball and tags the runner out before he reaches third base safely.

Now, recording the rundown situation in a baseball scorebook can be complicated, especially when there are more men on base and other defensive players get involved.

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How To Score A Major League Baseball Game

The game of baseball is enjoyed most when you can understand what the sportscasters are saying and you follow the game using a baseball scorebook.

Baseball Scorekeeping is a way to document and record the details of a baseball game. Each game has an official scorer responsible for recording the events of the game. The Official Scorer makes judgment calls about how to interpret certain circumstances as they relate to the rules (hits vs. errors, etc), but does not have an influence on the final score or the winner and loser. The official scorer must have an in-depth knowledge of the game of baseball and also be intimate with the league rules.

It is recommended that each team assign a coach to be the scorekeeper for the team. His score has no affect on the official game score. His records are used to serve the team in many ways. They help the coach:

1. To keep track of which players have played, and who is available.
2. To keep the batting order accurate
3. To keep individual and team statistics throughout the season
4. To use as a tool for strategic advantage

When Did Baseball Scorekeeping Begin?
It is believed that the foundations of baseball scorekeeping were developed in the late 1800’s by Henry Chadwick. His goal was to come up with statistics of hits, outs, etc. to evaluate which players helped or hurt a team’s chance of winning a game.

Baseball Scorekeeping Systems
There is no definitive system for baseball scoring but the basics are universal. This guide provides the symbols, abbreviations and notations needed to score a baseball game, including youth leagues. More important it will show you how to interpret the scorekeeping results of any game.

With the advent of computers and statistic organizations, such as the Elias Sports Bureau, baseball scorekeeping has taken on a life of it’s own.

Recording a Plate Appearance
Baseball games are scored one turn at bat (Plate Appearance) at a time. The information entered should reflect everything that affected the player in that inning.

Not only is the player’s activity at the plate recorded, but his entire life on the bases in the inning.

Learning how to score baseball is easy and fun. If you are already know how to score the game, you can learn how to score even the most advanced situations in all of baseball

Minnesota Twins Owner Dies At 93

Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series died yesterday, January 5, 2009. Mr. Pohlad bought the Twins in 1984 and is credited with keeping baseball alive in Minnesota.
Back in 1984, Pohlad bought the Twins franchise from Calvin Griffith for $38 million. Back in the 80s Pohlad inherited a promising group of baseball greats including Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti and the late Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett.
Minnesota won the World Series championships in 1987 against the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1991 against the Atlanta Braves.
Over the last 22 years, the Minnesota Twins have had two different managers, three GMS and two presidents. The reason for this is Carl Pohlad hallmarks were loyalty and stability.
Nothing drastic will change with the Twins. They are lead by their president Dave St. Peter and Senior V.P. and General Manager Bill Smith. The Twins will be managed again by Ron Gardenhire.

Team USA Doing It Wright For 2009 World Baseball Classic

The New York Mets All Star Third Baseball, David Wright has committed to the USA baseball squad for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Wright, wil be the only New York Met playing for the USA in the tournament.
Other Met players are playing in the World Baseball Classic but not for Team USA. First baseman Carlos Delgado and relief pitcher Pedro Filiciano have given their intentions to play for Puerto Rico. Pitcher Johan Santana and newly acquired relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez have stated they will play for their homeland - Venezuela. Shortstop phenom Jose Reyes would like to play for the Dominican Republic.
The addition of David Wright to Team USA will help to attract the MLB fan base to the tournament. David Wright is a downright good guy and a true American patriot - that's what the fans love about him. He gives 100% all the time and doesn't complain like many other primadonas in Major League Baseball.
Team USA disappointed in the World Baseball Classic in 2007, only making it to the second round. They lost to South Korea and the eventual champion Japan.
This year, the Americans will play their opening-round matches in Toronto, within a pool that includes Canada, Italy and Venezuela. The Double elimination tournament opening round is scheduled for March 5 - March 12.



Round One
There are 4 pools in round one:

Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea

Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa

Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela

Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico


Round Two

Will be be held March 14 - March 19 in a double elimination format

Pool 1 will be played in San Diego, California and consist of:

Pool A Winner

Pool A Runner-Up

Pool B Winner

Pool B Runner-Up



Pool 2 will be played in Miami, Florida and consist of:

Pool C Winner, Pool C Runner-Up, Pool D Winner and Pool D Runner-Up


The Semi Finals

Will be played in Los Angeles on March 21 and March 22 in a single elimination format:

Game 1: Pool 2 Winner vs. Pool 1 Runner Up

Game 2: Pool 1 Winner vs. Pool 2 Runner Up


The World Baseball Classic Finals

Will be played in Los Angeles on March 23. It will be one game

Semi-final 1 Winner vs Semi-final 2 Winner