2026 MLB (Non-Tigers) Thread

[chasfh]

The answer is also in the Umpire Manual. Interpretation #78, titled “Ball Strikes Bird or Animal,” reads:

If a batted or thrown ball strikes a bird in flight or other animal on the playing field, the ball is considered alive and in play, the same as if it had not touched the bird or animal.

If a pitched ball strikes a bird in flight or other animal on the playing field, the pitch is nullified and play shall be resumed with the previous count.

So in the Randy Johnson scenario, the umpire nullifies the pitch entirely and the count simply reverts to whatever it was before. No pitch recorded, no ball or strike added, no dead ball award to runners. Just wipe it off the books and go again. After a moment of silence, of course.

The closest numbered Rule in the Book this interpretationt probably draws from conceptually would be Rule 8.01(c): “Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.”

Me, I’m just trying to imagine how a pitched ball could strike any “other animal”.

[NorthWoods]

7 minutes ago, chasfh said:

Me, I’m just trying to imagine how a pitched ball could strike any “other animal”.

A bat.

[chasfh]

4 minutes ago, NorthWoods said:

A bat.

It would be really unusual for a bat to be hanging around the playing area of a major league stadium without anyone noticing it or play being stopped to deal with it.

[NorthWoods]

4 hours ago, chasfh said:

It would be really unusual for a bat to be hanging around the playing area of a major league stadium without anyone noticing it or play being stopped to deal with it.

Well, a bat seemed more plausible than a flying squirrel.

[Tiger337]

Did Chas miss a joke that flew right over his head?  

[CMRivdogs]

35 minutes ago, NorthWoods said:

Well, a bat seemed more plausible than a flying squirrel.

They just hang around Richmond

[chasfh]

5 hours ago, Tiger337 said:

Did Chas miss a joke that flew right over his head?  

Northwoods might have, too. 😏

I do appreciate the layering in your own post.

[NorthWoods]

55 minutes ago, chasfh said:

Northwoods might have, too. 😏

I do appreciate the layering in your own post.

I'm capable of missing jokes in person or online.

[Motor City Sonics]

Alex Cora out as Red Sox manager.     One of the best managers they ever had.     How long until Alex is named Mets skipper? 

[IdahoBert]

Hinch headed to Red Sox! Not. He has already lost his soul once I can’t imagine him wanting to lose it again.

[gehringer_2]

41 minutes ago, IdahoBert said:

Hinch headed to Red Sox! Not. He has already lost his soul once I can’t imagine him wanting to lose it again.

trick question: If you had to offer Hinch Harris' job to keep him, would you?