What do the base-runner and the fielder talk about when the base-runner is on base?

Question

In baseball, what do the base-runner and the fielder talk about when the base-runner is on base?

For example, when a player hits a single and is on first base while another person is up at bat, often (on television) you can see him talking to the first baseman (the same with doubles and triples).

Do they just say "hi?" Do they "catch up?" Do they insult each other? Do they try to distract each other?

Answer 1

All of the above. Depends on who's on base...say it was Reggie Jackson...he'd be talking about how much better he was than everybody else in the major leagues.

Answer 2

There's no rule against trying to distract an opponent. It's the players' (and coach's) responsibility to keep their mind on the game.

At the major league level, the chit chat at first base is done for the purpose of distraction.

They try to distract each other into forgetting the game situation (how many outs, the count etc), which could lead to a mistake in fielding or baserunning. Sometimes, it works, but not often. And it's done with friendly chit-chat, not trash talk.

Major League Baseball doesn't have nearly the level of trash talking that football and basketball do. Trash talk tends to dominate the more 'physical' sports, but baseball is not as physical a game as the other two. In the other sports, if you want to get physical with an opponent, the nature of the game allows you to come in contact with them pretty much any time you want. In baseball, even if you get mad at an opposing player, there's no guarantee you'll ever physically come in contact with him on the field.

Answer 3

They always look pretty friendly, so I assume they small-talk about family, the pitcher, their teams, "how's-it-goin?"- type stuff. I've never seen the 1st baseman argue with the runner.
And I don't think they're supposed to distract each other.
Isn't that against the rules or something?

Answer 4

when i'm on base i'm usually complementary towards the player when i'm on base or i don't say anything.

unless the team has a bunch of jackholes it's useless to put down a 1st baseman. he's only 1 of 9 players that can hurt your team in the end so why stoke the fires?

Answer 5

Usually, they just B.S.; some of it is genuine, possibly, but mostly I think each one is trying to distract the other.

Answer 6

It's alot of chit-chat and much of the time they are talking about the pitcher:
"Man, he has a nasty slider".
Not much smack talking goes on then.

Answer 7

the hottie in row c, seat 4

Answer 8

Females!!!