TeamSnap Logo
Log inFind My Team
  • Solutions
    • For Business
      For Business

      Tools for clubs, leagues, tournament organizers, and associations to run their business

      For Teams
      For Teams

      For coaches, players & fans to stay connected on our top-rated mobile app

      Promo image
      • Overview
      • Program ManagementManage all aspects of your organization
      • SponsorshipAccess our network of opportunities
      • RegistrationPayments, dues, and more
      • TournamentsBuild and manage your events
      • PaymentsA better way to manage payments
      • Website BuilderProfessional & mobile friendly sites
      • SchedulingAutomate games & practices
      • Services & SupportIndustry-leading account support
      • MessagesSimple, reliable communication
      • Get started!Chat with our team right now
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • Community

      Our mission is to enhance the lives of kids by enabling participation in sport

        Other resources
        • Blog
        • Coaches’ Corner
        • For Business Resources
        • TeamSnap Updates
        • Help Center
        Company
        • About
        • Careers
        • Partners
    • For Brands
      • Build relationships in the moments that matter.

        Convert families into superfans with TeamSnap for brands.

          • OverviewThe #1 way to reach the Chief Household Officer
          • AudienceLearn about our audience and network
          • CapabilitiesExplore our products and measurement solutions
          • Download Media Kit

      Find My Team

      Sign upLog in
      Sign upLog in
      BlogGeneral Sports
      • General Sports
      • Health and Safety
      • Coaching
      • for Business
      • Announcements

      Apr 22, 2016 • 4 min read

      Using Technology to Master the Rules of Baseball

      /images/teamsnap-badge.png
      TeamSnap

      Posted in:
      • General Sports

      Baseball is a complex game, but many of us understand it well enough to play. Surely from the first time aunt Helen or uncle Bill threw that first ball to you in your backyard–we assume you caught it–you gained a gradual understanding of how the game worked.

      Baseball GloveBut how many of us ever learned to actively interpret the rule book? And how many of us can say that we’ve mastered all those rules?

      For instance, take the phrase “tie goes to the runner.” Sure, you’ve heard it before. Many baseball players accept it as fact in times of dispute. But I’ll bet you didn’t know that there’s no mention of ties in the official rule book.

      That’s right–there are no ties and there is no rule that says the tie goes to the runner. It’s more of an informal rule of thumb that’s become accepted as fact by many, but which isn’t recognized as an official rule. If the runner doesn’t beat the ball or arrives simultaneously (assuming we don’t have instant replay), it’s an out!

      I’ve been umpiring for over twenty years now, and I’ve seen how many followers of the game are baffled by on-field rule interpretations. Sure, baseball umpires are trained extensively on how to interpret game rules. But what about the fans, or for that matter, the coaches and players?

      The good news is, you don’t need to be an umpire to get all the rules right. Technology can help! 

      For instance, if your phone can take slow motion video (a lot of them can these days), try taking a few slow-mo videos of runners crossing first base. This will help you see exactly what gets there first, the player or the ball. It’s sort of like your own personal version of instant replay.Baseball Batting

      Next time you see a play which you don’t quite understand, take a note on your phone. Lots of them even have dictation options now, so you won’t even need to type. Note the result of the play, who was on base and what was happening, then refer back to it later. No pen or paper required here–just use your phone (which you probably have with you all the time, anyway!).

      Mobile apps are also perfect for quick and easy rules references. With the right app, you can search through the baseball rule book, right from your phone. So if you’re wondering about that “tie goes to the runner” business, type it in and see what comes up. What would have taken hours before this kind of technology existed now takes seconds.

      The rules of baseball are indeed difficult to master. Whether it’s the difference between obstruction and interference, or the case of “tie goes to the runner,” there’s a lot to take in. But remember: You don’t have to do it alone. Use technology to make things a little easier. I know you’ll be satisfied with the results.

      David Yorke is the CEO of Umpires Media. After a failed attempt at becoming a baseball player, he became a baseball umpire and a committed baseball aficionado. David is a graduate of the Professional Academy of Baseball Umpiring, and a 40 year career cinematographer, as well as a veteran of motion picture and television production. In addition to being an avid sportsman and mountain cyclist, he hopes to add commercial jet pilot to his list of fulfilled dreams.


      Download our app

      app-storegoogle-play

      Share this post


      Create Your Team Today!

      It’s Free and Free is Good!

      Sign Up Your Team!Free and Paid Plans Available
      Products
      Sports Organizations
      • Get a demo
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • FAQs
      Coaches or Team Managers
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • Get Started
      Parents or Athletes
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Find My Team
      • Get Started
      Sports
      Sports Organizations
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Volleyball
      Teams
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • +100s more
      Resources
      • Blog
      • Coaches’ Corner
      • Return To Play
      • For Business Resource Library
      • Skills & Drills
      • Press Releases
      • TeamSnap Updates
      • TeamSnap Help Center
      • Community
      • Why TeamSnap?
      Company
      • About
      • CareersHiring!
      • For Brands
      • Partners
      • TeamSnap API
      • Responsible Disclosure Policy
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Apple App Store Logo
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Google Play Store Logo
      • social-media-facebook
      • social-media-twitter
      • social-pinterest
      • social-instagram
      • social-video-youtube
      • professional-network-linkedin
      • social-tiktok

      TeamSnap Footer Logo

      Copyright © 2005–2025 TeamSnap, Inc.

      • Sitemap
      • Terms
      • Privacy Policy
      • California Privacy Policy
      • Your Privacy Choices