Frequently Ask Questions

Find answers to common and uncommon baseball questions with this Baseball FAQ. If you don’t find the answer you were looking for just ask us! Post your question in the comments below or contact us. All responses are based on MLB rules. Different leagues may have different rules and even the same league e.g. Little League baseball may have local rules for the local Little League organization.

If a substitute batter inherits two strikes and then gets a Baseball FAQthird strike who gets charged with the strikeout?

In all instances EXCEPT inheriting 2 strikes the replacement batter will be credited with the result. However, if the batter inherits two strikes and then subsequently strikes out the original batter will be credited with the strikeout. This situation can occur due to injury or ejection of the original batter and a substitute batter becomes necessary.

MLB Rule 10.15 (b) Strikeouts

When a batter leaves the game with two strikes against him, and the substitute batter completes a strikeout, the official scorer shall charge the strikeout and the time at
bat to the first batter. If the substitute batter completes the turn at bat in any other
manner, including a base on balls, the official scorer shall score the action as having
been that of the substitute batter.

Can a run score on a tag out of a forced runner?

No, a force out does not have to end in the touching of a base, it can end in a tag. The run does not count because the runner is forced to advance by the batter, constituting a “force out”. A run cannot score on a force play (commonly called a force out) that results in a third out of an inning.

MLB Rule 4.09 How a team scores


If a baseball batter hits a pitch on a bounce, does it still count as a hit?

Yes, the ball is in play just as if the pitch never bounced.

MLB Rule 2.00

Rule 2.00 (Ball) Comment: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a “ball.” If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of Rule 6.05 (c) and 6.09 (b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.

Is it a hit-by-pitch on a bounce?

Yes, see MLB Rule 2.00 above.