why does the first basemen show the ball towards homeplate and shake it around??
2006-08-15 19:41:35 · 8 answers · asked by rf21 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
If the ball is no longer playable, it could be scuffed or scratched up in such a way that it may negatively affect the pitcher. The first baseman, or any player for that matter, shows the ump and shakes it so that the ump knows he is throwing it out and they need a new ball on the mound.
2006-08-15 19:48:07 · answer #1 · answered by Absy 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The ball is sometimes shown to an umpire quickly to prove the out. However, this is something that has been going on for decades. Every first baseman does this everytime any inning ends in a groundout, pick off play, or any other third out at first base. Some first basemen go beyond the typical superstition. Derrick Lee, for example, will always have someone in the dugout toss him another ball from the dugout as he tosses the third out ball into the dugout. As I'm sure you're aware, the first baseman is responsible for bringing the "around the horn" ball out for warmups when his team retakes the field after his team finishes hitting.
Cheers!
2006-08-16 02:50:50 · answer #2 · answered by cubs_woo_cubs_woo 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the player is telling the ump that the ball is no longer fit for play - if a ball gets a scuff on it, they usually get it out of the game - when ever the pitcher bounces the ball when he's pitching, the catcher always gives the ball to the ump and gets a new one to put in play - it's to be sure the baseball is as fit for play as possible - they can go through 3-4 dozen balls a game
2006-08-16 03:31:39 · answer #3 · answered by Big Buddy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a player does that, it means the ball has a scrape or cut in it...and it's no longer playable...he is telling the umpire that he is taking the ball out of the game, so a pitcher cannot use it anymore.
2006-08-16 08:26:51 · answer #4 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absy has it right. The player will do that to show the umpire that the ball needs to be repaced and that he is taking it off the field. He will then usually toss it into the stands or take it back to the dugout to use for batting practice the next day.
2006-08-16 02:55:39 · answer #5 · answered by Topher 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He wants to take the ball out of play, and he is telling the home plate umpire that the ball is marked up, or has a soft spot on it.
2006-08-16 17:30:34 · answer #6 · answered by baseballjohn48 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to make certain he has the ball and therefor made the out
2006-08-16 02:47:55 · answer #7 · answered by What'sgoingonhere 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
shows to prove he actually made the out. Then they throw it around for practice.
2006-08-16 02:45:39 · answer #8 · answered by drunkbomber 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋