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From: ugclemon@sunybcs.UUCP (Robert Clemons)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Getting to 1st without a hit, revisited
Message-ID: <1100@sunybcs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 3-Feb-85 16:15:50 EST
Article-I.D.: sunybcs.1100
Posted: Sun Feb  3 16:15:50 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Feb-85 07:26:10 EST
References: <263@ihu1m.UUCP>
Organization: State University of New York @ Buffalo,NY
Lines: 22

> The "What are 7 ways to get to 1st without getting a hit?"
> question is great fun at parties, though in my experience
> it often leads to an argument about whether catcher interference
> is really distinct from fielder's obstruction.  Imagine my
> amusement when a friend came up with an entirely new way, which
> he claims is legal:  Steal 1st from 2nd.  To my immediate query,
> "Why would anyone do that?", he said, "To run up his statistics.
> Maybe the guy has a bonus riding on the number of stolen bases.
> He'll certainly have the element of surprise on his side."
> Well, *can* you steal 1st from 2nd?

      I recall reading about an incident that occurred many years ago 
where a player (I don't remember who) continually ran back and forth
between 1st and 2nd to draw the throw of the catcher and allow the
run to score from 3rd.  The book (I don't remember the title) claimed
that this incident prompted the adoption of a rule that disallows
running the bases in reverse order.  An unofficial rule book I own
states that a runner is out if he runs the bases in reverse order or
"otherwise attempts to confuse the game".

                                   -- Robert Clemons
                                      SUNY @ Buffalo