What does "Walk-Off" mean?

[Sir Henry]

What does "Walk-Off" in Baseball-Speak mean in plain English?

[flyboy2548m]

Something to do with labor trouble, ask supersean, he's an expert.

[OldSowBreath]

Do you mean "wank-off"?

[Verbal]

Thank you for your question, Sir Henry.

A normal baseball game is comprised of 9 innings. Both teams bat in each inning, first the visiting team, then the home team. The respective halves of the inning are referred to as the "top" and "bottom" of the inning.

If the home team is winning after the top of the ninth (and final) inning has been played, then there is no need to play the bottom of the ninth, and the game ends. If the game is tied or the visiting team has the lead at that point, then the bottom of the ninth is played.

If the game is still tied after 9 full innings have been played, then the game goes into "extra" innings (10th, 11th, etc.) and is played until the game is won.

Here's where the term "walk-off" comes in. A "walk-off" hit occurs in the bottom of the 9th or extra inning, which allows the home team to take the lead, and thus win the game. If the winning run scores on such a hit, then the game is over, and the players "walk off" the field, regardless of how many outs have been recorded (an inning half normally ends when three outs have been recorded).

Let's say a game is tied going into the bottom of the 9th inning, and the first batter for the home team hits a home run. He scores the winning run, and the game ends despite the fact that no outs were recorded, because there is no need to continue. And the players walk off the field.

Here is Joe Carter's walk-off home run which won the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQzpmBnSLhA

Here is an expository discussion which may help you better understand the game of baseball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M

[OldSowBreath]

So what does "Wank-Off" mean?

[Verbal]

You will need to consult JP.net to answer that question.

[Ancient Mariner]

Thank you for your question, Sir Henry.

A normal baseball game is comprised of 9 innings. Both teams bat in each inning, first the visiting team, then the home team. The respective halves of the inning are referred to as the "top" and "bottom" of the inning.

If the home team is winning after the top of the ninth (and final) inning has been played, then there is no need to play the bottom of the ninth, and the game ends. If the game is tied or the visiting team has the lead at that point, then the bottom of the ninth is played.

If the game is still tied after 9 full innings have been played, then the game goes into "extra" innings (10th, 11th, etc.) and is played until the game is won.

Here's where the term "walk-off" comes in. A "walk-off" hit occurs in the bottom of the 9th or extra inning, which allows the home team to take the lead, and thus win the game. If the winning run scores on such a hit, then the game is over, and the players "walk off" the field, regardless of how many outs have been recorded (an inning half normally ends when three outs have been recorded).

Let's say a game is tied going into the bottom of the 9th inning, and the first batter for the home team hits a home run. He scores the winning run, and the game ends despite the fact that no outs were recorded, because there is no need to continue. And the players walk off the field.

Here is Joe Carter's walk-off home run which won the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQzpmBnSLhA

Here is an expository discussion which may help you better understand the game of baseball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M

Less words, please. Are you Gabriel?
Per

[tds]

So what does "Wank-Off" mean?

I thought you'd already admitted to watching Old Faithful "go off all night long"?

[Verbal]

Are you Gabriel?
Pair

Are you Karl?

[Sir Henry]

Got it, Verbal. Thanks for the explanation. Love the hair-style of the Phillies pitcher in that game, BTW. And, who's on first?

Seems Tampa Bay is really strong this year. With more than a months into the season, they established quite some record so far.

[Verbal]

Seems Tampa Bay is really strong this year. With more than a months into the season, they established quite some record so far.

Yes, the Rays are doing quite well. Though I should point out that it was a pitcher from the team I support (Oakland Athletics) named Dallas Braden who pitched a perfect game against them.

Love the hair-style of the Phillies pitcher in that game

With a mullet like that, he could get a job working in the Boeing factory today. Mitch Williams and most of the rest of the Phillies that year were a pack of white trash. Williams was known as "Wild Thing" because of his lack of control over his pitches, and for his very unconventional pitching motion which basically made him fall over with each throw.

[Giles]

Less words, please.
Per

sudden death ?

[3WE]

Less words, please.
Per

sudden death ?

Did he died?

[Ancient Mariner]

Less words, please.
Per

sudden death ?

That explains it. Thank you, Giles.
Per

[J]

Who is on first?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfmvkO5x6Ng

[Sir Henry]

There are certainly lots of things which may seem strange to the European viewer in Baseball. I, for instance, find it always difficult to understand why there is no real clear unmistakable signal from the plate umpire in case of a ball. He just stands there and....nada.

[Verbal]

There are certainly lots of things which may seem strange to the European viewer in Baseball. I, for instance, find it always difficult to understand why there is no real clear unmistakable signal from the plate umpire in case of a ball. He just stands there and....nada.

Think of the umpire's call as binary - ones and zeros. He basically has one of two calls he can make on each pitch. If it is a strike (a "one"), he raises an arm and calls, "strike". If it is a ball (a "zero"), he does nothing. Hope this helps.

[Verbal]

Furthermore:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 1DGOJI.DTL

[Sabre]

There are certainly lots of things which may seem strange to the European viewer in Baseball. I, for instance, find it always difficult to understand why there is no real clear unmistakable signal from the plate umpire in case of a ball. He just stands there and....nada.

Think of the umpire's call as binary - ones and zeros. He basically has one of two calls he can make on each pitch. If it is a strike (a "one"), he raises an arm and calls, "strike". If it is a ball (a "zero"), he does nothing. Hope this helps.

Excellent description, Verbal. Can you explain the infield fly rule that clearly? I've explained it to parents 3 times at my son's games this year (I think to the same people each time).

[Verbal]

Excellent description, Verbal. Can you explain the infield fly rule that clearly? I've explained it to parents 3 times at my son's games this year (I think to the same people each time).

With runners on first and second, or first, second and third, and less than two outs, if the batter hits a fly ball to the infield, the umpire calls, "Infield fly, the batter is out" while the ball is in the air. The fielder does not need to catch the ball; however the ball is still in play. The baserunners may attempt to advance.

I umpired Little league games a few years ago. I don't know the origins of the infield fly rule, but I suspect it is to protect people from getting injured.

[Sabre]

Excellent description, Verbal. Can you explain the infield fly rule that clearly? I've explained it to parents 3 times at my son's games this year (I think to the same people each time).

With runners on first and second, or first, second and third, and less than two outs, if the batter hits a fly ball to the infield, the umpire calls, "Infield fly, the batter is out" while the ball is in the air. The fielder does not need to catch the ball; however the ball is still in play. The baserunners may attempt to advance.

I umpired Little league games a few years ago. I don't know the origins of the infield fly rule, but I suspect it is to protect people from getting injured.

Yes, that's pretty much it, and pretty much how I've explained it, but people still don't get it. I don't know why, but they don't. I can even tell you the intent; most people think it is some kind of gift to the defense as it awards them an out, even if they don't catch the ball. But, in fact, it is sort of a gift to the offense, so that the defense cannot intentionally drop the ball, and then get a cheap double play on the force at 3rd then 2nd, because the runners are forced to hold should it be caught.

This is essentially the reason that on a not-caught 3rd strike with a runner on first and less than two outs, the batter is automatically out. Otherwise, the catcher drops the ball, throws to 2nd for the force, then the ball is thrown to 1st for the double-play.

Neither of the rules apply with two outs, as the defense has nothing to gain by dropping the ball, and thus must actually make the play.

[el]

Well, why don't you guys simply play the original from of baseball.... cricket. These rules are much cleaerer (once you understood them).

[Ancient Mariner]

Well, why don't you guys simply play the original from of baseball.... cricket. These rules are much cleaerer (once you understood them).

Wine? Cape Brandy?
Per

[PurduePilot]

I was invited to a Mariners game today, but the weather was starting to become like Seattle so I declined. I like baseball for a couple of innings, but after that it drags.

[monchavo]

Henrik,

Torrent the amazing "Baseball" documentary by Ken Burns. It's a great insight into the game, if a little long.