Image: shutterstock
About This Quiz
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal." - George Will
Maybe it's the warm spring weather at the start of the season, maybe it's the feeling of unity behind the hometown team or maybe it's simply the sound of a ball coming off the end of a bat; but there's is something special about the game of baseball. There's no doubt about it. When fans and players gather for a game of baseball, it creates an experience that everyone can enjoy. That's why we call it America's pastime.Â
Of course, for the game of baseball to be truly enjoyable, it requires an understanding between everyone in the stadium, an understanding built around years of tradition and compliance where unspoken rules are the norm. These rules, for better or worse, make up baseball etiquette, which is as important to a game as hot dogs and chewing gum. That's why it's important to know your baseball etiquette before you attend a game.Â
Do you think you are prepared? Do you know how to respect the game that's beloved by all? Why not take this quiz and find out? Get started and put that knowledge of baseball etiquette to the ultimate test!
the pitcher's mound
In the earliest years of baseball, a pitcher's box was used over a mound. The box allowed pitchers to throw a run-up pitch, where they ran forward before releasing the ball.
first base
second base
third base
Advertisement
get a hotdog
bow
sing
remove your hat
The national anthem has become a source of conflict in the NFL. Players have been using it as a way to protest against social injustice, while management believes the protests are turning fans away.
Advertisement
first
last
early
when the game is over
The greatest comeback in MLB history is 12 runs. The last time it was accomplished was in 2001 by the Cleveland Indians.
Advertisement
a home run
a catch
a no-hitter
The first no-hitter recognized by MLB was thrown by Joe Borden in 1875. Strangely, Borden only played two seasons of professional baseball.
a grand slam
Advertisement
run
touch first base
try to not get tagged
throw the bat
Barry Bonds holds the home run record for a career in the majors. However, his association with steroids has led many to question if he deserves the record.
Advertisement
the bathroom
elevators
sunglasses
cellphones
In Colorado, fans support their baseball team. In fact, the Rockies hold the single-season home attendance record, as an average of 55,000 fans came to their games in 1993.
Advertisement
run the bases
admire it
Around 1920, a new era of baseball started where more home runs were hit than ever. It became known as the live-ball era.
set your bat down
touch home plate
Advertisement
catches a fly ball
makes an error
No player committed more errors during their career than Herman Long. Playing from 1889 until 1904, he averaged over one error a game.
stops a home run
throws the ball home
Advertisement
hit the ball
hit a home run
hit a ground ball
bunt
Traditionally, sacrifice bunts have been used to get runners closer to home plate. However, in MLB, this play results in an out 96% of the time.
Advertisement
the manager
Over the years, the Yankees had some of the greatest managers in the history of baseball. Arguably the greatest was Joe McCarthy, who holds the MLB record for highest winning percentage by a manager.
the relief pitcher
the catcher
the umpire
Advertisement
a glove
a bat
a base
pitching signs
Catchers are often in charge of deciding what pitch is going to be thrown. The pitcher can, of course, wave the catcher off if he thinks another pitch would be better.
Advertisement
vendors
Food is a tradition at baseball games. Popular foods include hotdogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
ticket collectors
ticket sellers
security
Advertisement
the shortstop
the outfielders
the designated hitter
a rookie
Most baseball players make their way through the minor leagues before they make their MLB debut. Some players spend years in the minors before finally getting their shot.
Advertisement
profanity
During game 5 of the 1959 World Series, 92,706 screaming fans showed up to watch the White Sox play the Dodgers. This is still the largest World Series attendance on record.
ball
watch out
hot dog
Advertisement
kids
The Oakland Athletics share their stadium, the second largest in MLB, with the Raiders of the NFL. The stadium has a 55,945 seating capacity. The Raiders, however, are en route to Las Vegas.
home fans
away fans
no fans
Advertisement
hit the ball
place defense
throw fastballs
steal bases
Rickey Henderson holds the MLB record for stolen bases. He was also the AL stolen base leader for 12 seasons.
Advertisement
enthusiastic
pessimist
The largest win in modern MLB history was set by the Rangers in 2007 against the Orioles. The final score of the game was 30-3.
cheering
quiet
Advertisement
baseball
There is one fan base that certainly enjoys talking about their team. That's the Yankees, but it makes sense considering the team has won 27 World Series titles.
cooking
problems
anything
Advertisement
steal them
get a pair yourself
leave them alone
Baseball is full of strange superstitions. One of the strangest comes from Jason Giambi, who believed that wearing a gold thong helped him get out of a hitting slump.
make fun of them
Advertisement
when you're way behind
Lou Brock is second behind Rickey Henderson for stolen bases. However, Brock has nearly 500 fewer stolen bases than Henderson.
in the ninth inning
in the first inning
in extra innings
Advertisement
clap
the wave
Baseball is full of fan traditions, like singing "Sweet Caroline" at Fenway Park. However, recently, "The Wave" has been deemed distracting by many fans and owners. It still has its defenders, though.
hold signs
scream
Advertisement
swing
steal
No player was walked more during their career than Barry Bonds. From his debut in 1986 until his retirement in 2007, Bonds was walked 2,558 times.
bunt
warm up
Advertisement
go to the locker room
leave the stadium
stay in the dugout
Nolan Ryan was one pitcher who was rarely pulled from a game. That's one reason he holds the career strikeouts record.
stay on the field
Advertisement
You suck!
When baseball started, only one umpire called a game. The single umpire stood behind home plate, where he made judgement calls.
What's the call?
Good call!
That's a terrible call!
Advertisement
home plate
a bat
the chalk
The baseline from one base to another is the same distance for all bases, making a perfect square. In MLB, the baseline is 90 feet between bases.
wet grass
Advertisement
if your team's good
if your team sucks
The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics recorded the least amount of wins in modern MLB history with 36. They finished 54 and a half games behind first place.
if you have a point
if you dislike the other team
Advertisement
the catcher
Catchers are seen as the brains of the defense. They are primarily responsible for communicating with the pitcher and protecting home plate.
the pitcher
the first baseman
any umpire
Advertisement
on your lap
The MLB has no specific rules on whether children under 1 or 2 years old need their own tickets. However, it's generally accepted that if a child is small enough and does not have their own ticket, they should sit on your lap.
their own seat
they should stand
you should not bring small children
Advertisement
get up and cheer
go get a drink
stay in your seat
One of the greatest batters to ever step in the batter's box was Hank Aaron. He set the home run record before the steroid era began in baseball.
go to the bathroom
Advertisement
center fielder
The best outfielders are able to snag the ball before it goes over the fence for a home run. Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the best at this, which is one reason he won ten Gold Glove Awards during his career.
left fielder
right fielder
anyone
Advertisement
first
second
third
In 1887, Hugh Nicol stole 138 bases during the season. That's still an MLB record.
home
Advertisement
Pitcher Armando Galarraga (#58, Detroit Tigers) covers first base as Jason Donald (#16, Cleveland Indians) steps on the bag while umpire Jim Joyce watches on June 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. Donald was called safe by Joyce. Bill Eisner/Detroit Tigers/Getty Images
If you're a fan, don't wear which team's jersey?
the home team
the away team
any team not on the field
Dodgers Stadium is the largest stadium in MLB. It holds 56,000 cheering fans.
any team at all
Advertisement
the outfield
the infield
Therapists view a game of catch as a good form of relationship building between parents and children. It not only connects the two participants but also builds a child's self-worth.
near the dugout
the bullpen
Advertisement
in or near the on-deck circle
One of the greatest batters of all-time was Pete Rose, who holds the record for most career hits. Rose's reputation took a hit itself when he was involved in a gambling scandal which has kept him out of the Hall of Fame.
the on-deck circle
the dugout
anywhere
Advertisement
a loss
an error
a strikeout
Not all MLB records are positive ones. For example, Reggie Jackson holds the career strikeout record with 2,597 strikeouts.
a bad call
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
.jpg){kind=link}
