Baseball rule questions

[adambr2]

July 21st - I've got to ask -- Gomez hits a long fly out to left. Gomez is on his horse and can likely take 3. Heisey loses the ball and ends up knocking it over the fence. Why are the Brewers penalized because of Heisey's mistake? What's to stop a quick thinking outfielder from "accidentally" knocking a ball over with 2 outs and a runner on 1st in the 9th inning, knowing he has no realistic chance of keeping the runner from scoring? I realize the umpire can technically award the run, but it seems like the vast majority of the time, they estimate conservatively and keep the runner at 3rd.

 

While we're on that, what about the "bunt" HBP that lead to 2 runs tonight? Either there are some rules that really need some serious scrutiny or the guys in New York are at times really having a hard time interpreting the rulebook.

[stoutdude04]

I have no idea on the first one, but if he hits it over on purpose he is penalized. Just like the goofy play in Washington where one guy got to stay on base...it was the wrong call. As for the bunt hbp, it should have been a foul ball. Even the guy I was sitting next to pointed out, hr offered at the ball anyways. So it should have been a strike, but I guess Thar falls into reviewing balls and strikes.

[logan82]

If a guy would be able to knock it over he would probably be able to catch it.

[WV Brew]

I think Heisey whiffed on that Gomez hit and the ball bounced over the wall for the ground rule double. I think NY blew that bunt call which looked like it hit the bat first before contacting his hand. The Reds' announcers claimed he was trying to "get out of the way of the ball" which, I guess, NY bought while not noticing the ball hit the bat first.

[adambr2]

If a guy would be able to knock it over he would probably be able to catch it.

 

Well the point would be if he did it after a hop, not in the air. If he did it in the air it would be a HR.

 

But if Heisley whiffed on it and it bounced over on its own then it would be a moot point.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think Heisey whiffed on that Gomez hit and the ball bounced over the wall for the ground rule double. I think NY blew that bunt call which looked like it hit the bat first before contacting his hand. The Reds' announcers claimed he was trying to "get out of the way of the ball" which, I guess, NY bought while not noticing the ball hit the bat first.

 

Do the umpires actually get the sound from the telecasts when reviewing a play? The Reds announcers are homers and could see as well as anyone the ball clearly hit the bat, but never said so. Frankly I think it was all an act that it never hit his hand either.