If you hit a home run, but you need a triple to hit for the cycle can you just stop at third if you want?

Question

I mean if your team is winning by a bunch already, and you are driving in two or three more runs, are you allowed to stay at any base you want at the cost of a homerun and one point? I think I heard somewhere that you could but I'm not sure.

geez get off my back! just a question. But it makes sense that if the player chooses to give up the run he would make he would be able to stay on whatever base he wants.

What game is that that you were referring to because I was being strictly hypothetical?

I know if it is a walk off multi homer in a one run situation only one run needs to come across and if you don't make it all the way round (only because the game is over at the point when either of the two runs come around)

Answer 1

I have never heard of anyone doing such a thing, and I'm not sure the rules allow for it. However, it has occurred on at least one occasion when a player (I forget who) hit a ball over the fence with a runner on base in the bottom of the 11th of a 0-0 game. His teammates mobbed him before he got to second base and took him off the field. He was credited with a single.

So....if you needed a triple the best thing to do would be to go from third base to the dugout without stepping on home plate. You will be called out, but you will be credited with a triple.

Answer 2

mka is correct. Regardless of the situation, if a batter chooses to "out" himself, he may do so. The other option would be to pass another runner between 3rd and home...same thing, batter is out, but credited with a triple. There is nothing in the rule book stating he cannot. The only rules regarding home runs are that the batter must round the bases in chronological order and all batters must cross home plate in their order on the bases. However, unless it is the last inning, I wouldn't recommend doing it, since it is an act of "showing up" the other team and the next pitch you see will try to go through the hole in the batting helmet.

There have actually been a few "walk off" homeruns where the batter never got to 2nd base because the winning run scored. It used to be that if the winning run was on base and you hit a homerun, you were only credited with a single because the winning run scored and you didn't need to round the bases.

Answer 3

If, u stop at third base the ump can call u out for not running the bases if the ball left the ball park for HR.If u hit ball inside the park, u may stop at third for the triple(however remember the ump can call u out for making a mockery of the game).Another opition is run the bases and accidently miss home plate(alot of players almost miss home when they jump 4 joy

Answer 4

That's why I have always felt hitting for a cycle is overated.

And by the way, The Red Sox will be in the playoffs, so eat your heart out.

MKa4 - You situation is different cause that occured in the 11th inning to end the game. If he needed a triple in the 6th inning, he can't not just touch home plate, the game is still going on. So you can't do it.

Answer 5

no u have to take a homerun cause it went out of the park but if u hit the ball in to the outfield and had a chance to get home u could stop at 3rd

Answer 6

There isn't a rule against it. I remember a playoff game a few years back between the Braves and Mets when Ventura hit a grandslam and stopped at second. He was credited with a double.

Answer 7

**mka*** THAT IS RIGHT! I REMEMBER THAT GAME AS WELL.
No you cannot stop where ever you want.If it goes over the wall you must run the bases AND touch them all.
However;if it is an inside the park then he could possibly get away with it.

Answer 8

No if you hit a homerun you have to go to home

Answer 9

if it was legal, the player would be in serious trouble by the manager, the coaches, GM, owner, fans, and he'd be famous cause all the people on tv would not stop talking bout it

Answer 10

No, a home run is a home run. So you must step on all bases.