Why don't you rub when you get hit by a pitch?

Baseball players don't rub a hit-by-pitch mark as an unwritten rule of machismo, signaling toughness and showing the pitcher they can't be intimidated or hurt, preventing psychological wins for the pitcher and avoiding retaliation; it's a display of strength, not weakness, despite the real pain involved. It's about projecting an image of resilience so the pitcher doesn't target them again, according to MLB.com and The Baseball Codes.

Do not rub the spot where you were hit by a pitch 13?

Players are not supposed to react when hit by a pitch.

If a player is hit by a pitch, he's supposed to remain even-keeled and not rub the spot where the pitch hit. "There is a code of masculinity that exists in this game," former catcher John Baker said in 2012.

What is the new hit by pitch rule?

The new rule reads as follows. “(1) A batter must attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch. If he does not attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch then: a) If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, the ball is dead, it shall be called a ball and the batter is not awarded first base.

What is baseball's unwritten rule?

The unwritten rules include: For the batter. Do not bunt to break up a no-hitter. Do not swing on a 3–0 count when your team is comfortably ahead. Do not take your time admiring a home run you hit.

What is the ohtani rule?

The "Ohtani Rule" in MLB allows a starting pitcher who is also listed as the designated hitter (DH) to remain in the game as the DH even after being removed from pitching, essentially letting them stay in the lineup to hit even after their day on the mound ends. This rule, created in 2022, solves a problem for two-way stars like Shohei Ohtani, preventing teams from losing the DH spot (and a powerful bat) when the pitcher is pulled, making it much easier to utilize players who excel at both pitching and hitting.
 

Unwritten Rules of Baseball - Don't Rub a Hit By Pitch

What is the deadliest pitch in baseball?

Baseball's Deadliest Pitch and How it Changed the Sport Forever. Tragedy struck on August 16, 1920, when during a visiting game at the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Yankees, Cleveland shortstop and all-around affable guy Ray Chapman was beaned in the head by a "spitball" thrown by submarine pitcher Carl Mays.

Who threw a 104 mph pitch?

Mason Miller is the new No. 1 flamethrower in recorded postseason history. Miller struck out the Cubs' Carson Kelly with a 104.5 mph fastball in the bottom of the seventh inning during the Padres' 3-0 win in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

What is the rarest rule in baseball?

But here's what most people don't know. As part of the anti-shift rule, MLB stated that both infielders must have their feet on the infield dirt. And so if any infielder has even just one foot on the outfield grass and makes a play on the battle runner, the battle runner's actually safe.

Does anyone wear 69 in the MLB?

Yes, players do wear #69 in MLB, though it's quite rare, with only a couple dozen players ever using it, often pitchers; recent examples include AJ Blubaugh (2025) and Francisco Morales (2022) for the Phillies, but it's not a common or long-term number for most, with Bronson Arroyo being a notable exception for wearing it for multiple seasons with the Pirates early in his career. 

What is the ghost rule in baseball?

If the team playing offense does not have enough players to continue, the next player at bat is replaced by an invisible runner. Typically, the live runner must verbally announce: “invisible runner on _______ base”, or “ghost runner on _______”, before they can walk off base.

What pitch is banned in MLB?

A spitball is a now-illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of a foreign substance such as saliva or petroleum jelly. This technique alters the wind resistance and weight on one side of the ball, causing it to move in an atypical manner.

Why don't pitchers throw curveballs anymore?

With an average velocity of 80.2 mph, curves are the slowest and loopiest of breaking pitches, often disrupting the timing of batters set for smoke.

Did Nolan Ryan really throw 235 pitches in a game?

Yes, Nolan Ryan reportedly threw a massive 235 pitches in a single game on June 14, 1974, for the California Angels against the Boston Red Sox, pitching 13 grueling innings, striking out 19, and allowing only three runs in a game that went 15 innings. This legendary, unheard-of workload is one of the most famous examples of pitching durability in baseball history, showcasing Ryan's incredible stamina, as he even pitched again just three days later.
 

What is the Posey rule?

The "Buster Posey Rule" in Major League Baseball (MLB) is Rule 6.01(i), implemented in 2014 to prevent dangerous collisions at home plate by requiring catchers not to block the plate without the ball, and runners to slide or avoid initiating contact. Named after catcher Buster Posey's career-threatening ankle injury from such a collision in 2011, it mandates a clear path to the plate, forcing runners to slide and catchers to position themselves correctly, ensuring player safety. 

Why do baseball helmets cover one ear?

It's more comfy to have only one instead of two. The only issue then is stolen base attempts if your right ear is the only one covered, and diving back into a base if your left ear is the only one covered, but those plays are much less common. MLB rules demand that MLB helmets have one earflap.

What MLB player has autism?

While no prominent current MLB star is openly identified with autism, Tarik El-Abour is recognized as the first professional baseball player with autism, signing a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, and Jim Eisenreich is a notable former MLB player with Asperger's (an autism spectrum disorder) who overcame significant challenges to have a successful career, including pitching a no-hitter for the Yankees. El-Abour's journey highlights how autism's focus on repetition can align with baseball skills, while Eisenreich's story shows overcoming tics from Tourette's and Asperger's.
 

What number is not allowed in baseball?

Jackie Robinson and number 42

The #42 cannot be issued by any team, having been retired in honor of Jackie Robinson. Those wearing the number upon its league-wide retirement, such as Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox and Butch Huskey of the New York Mets, were allowed to keep it under a grandfather clause.

Is Rickey Hill a real baseball player?

Yes, Rickey Hill was a real professional baseball player who had a four-year career in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for the Montreal Expos organization after overcoming severe physical challenges from a degenerative spinal disease that required him to wear leg braces as a child. His inspiring story, particularly his powerful hitting despite his condition, is the basis for the 2023 biographical movie The Hill, starring Dennis Quaid.
 

What is the blood rule in baseball?

Blood Rule. If a player suffers from a laceration or other injury where blood is visible, the game shall be stopped at the earliest possible time and the athlete treated immediately . If the injury requires extensive treatment, a substitute shall replace the injured player .

Which baseball record will never be broken?

Most career stolen bases – 1,406

According to LIFE, the stolen base record is probably unbreakable, as it is hard to imagine a player today who would "even attempt so many steals." For a player to approach Henderson's milestone, he would have to average 70 stolen bases over 20 seasons just to get to 1,400.

Who had the sweetest swing in baseball?

While subjective, Ken Griffey Jr. is overwhelmingly cited as having the sweetest, most fluid, and iconic swing in baseball history, known for its effortless motion and power. Other players frequently mentioned for their beautiful swings include Ted Williams, Manny Ramirez, Jim Edmonds, and Chipper Jones, but Griffey Jr.'s "poetry in motion" with that smooth finish is the gold standard. 

Who threw 106 mph baseball?

15 Years ago today, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in MLB history. Officially recorded at 105.8 mph, don't blink or you will miss it. Chapman is currently in his 16th year of his career, and rumor has it he just started locating his fastball this year.

Did Nolan Ryan ever throw 100 mph?

Yes, Nolan Ryan officially threw over 100 mph, with a legendary 100.9 mph fastball recorded in 1974, setting a Guinness World Record, but using older technology that measured near home plate; with modern techniques (measuring near release), experts estimate that pitch would have been closer to 108 mph, making him arguably the hardest thrower ever.
 

Can a human throw a baseball 110 mph?

Yes, humans can throw a baseball near or even slightly over 110 mph, but it's extremely rare, often involves lighter balls or specific conditions, and pushing past current MLB records (around 105-106 mph) strains the body's ligaments, making it biologically challenging and risky for a standard 5-ounce baseball. While some have touched or exceeded this in training or with lighter balls (like Michael Kopech hitting 110 mph with a 3-ounce ball), the official MLB record is lower, with pitchers like Aroldis Chapman and Jordan Hicks hitting around 105-105.8 mph.