Expert: Tom Schott - 8/2/2007

Question
QUESTION: During a game, there can be ten consecutive ground balls that hit the infield dirt, and no one is concerned about the ball; but if one pitch hits the dirt, the ball is automatically thrown out. Do you know why?  Thanks.


ANSWER: Mike,

 I don't really know, Mike. I can speculate that it's become standard practice for the umps to toss the ball after a pitch in the dirt because the umpires decided to make it so. But look closely. Some of those balls that get taken out of the game go right back in the ump's pocket. Have you ever noticed this? I've always thought that some balls are out only temporarily. I can tell you this for sure. There's no rule about this. I will send you a follow up later. I know a place where I can get an umpire to answer the question.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had noticed the ball be put into the ump's pocket, but I wondered where it went after that.  I'm glad to know there's no rule--probably just standard practice. And I look forward to hearing more.  BTW, do you know what sorts of things opposing players talk to each other about when they're on base?

Answer
Mike,
 Here's the answer from an umpire:

Removing the ball after a pitch in the dirt usually happens when the batter asks the umpire to check the ball. The ball is almost always removed from play (or put back in the plate umpire's ball bag if the ball is not marred, cut, or otherwise unplayable). It's simply a courtesy to the batter - the same as a pitcher asking for a new ball from time to time during a game. When that happens, the plate umpire provides a new ball to the pitcher, but the other ball often goes into the umpire's ball bag and back in play at some point during the game. There are supposed to be at least 3 dozen baseballs available at the start of every MLB game, but many games probably see more than that. In the grand scheme of things, baseballs are rather cheap.