The Book of Unwritten Baseball Rules
Baseball Digest, 1986
- Never put the tying or go-ahead run on base.
- Play for the tie at home, go for the victory on the road.
- Don't hit and run with an 0-2 count.
- Don't play the infield in early in the game.
- Never make the first or third out at third.
- Never steal when you're two or more runs down.
- Don't steal when you're well ahead.
- Don't steal third with two outs.
- Don't bunt for a hit when you need a sacrifice.
- Never throw behind the runner.
- Left and right fielders concede everything to center fielder.
- Never give up a home run on an 0-2 count.
- Never let the score influence the way you manage.
- Don't go against the percentages.
- Take a strike when your club is behind in a ballgame.
- Leadoff hitter must be a base stealer. Designated hitter must be a power hitter.
- Never give an intentional walk if first base is occupied.
- With runners in scoring position and first base open, walk the number eight hitter to get to the pitcher.
- In rundown situations, always run the runner back toward the base from which he came.
- If you play for one run, that's all you'll get.
- Don't bunt with a power hitter up.
- Don't take the bat out of your best hitter's hands by sacrificing in front of him.
- Only use your bullpen stopper in late-inning situations.
- Don't use your stopper in a tie game - only when you're ahead.
- Hit behind the runner at first.
- If one of your players gets knocked down by a pitch, retaliate.
- Hit the ball where it's pitched.
- A manager should remain detached from his players.
- Never mention a no-hitter while it's in progress.
- With a right-hander on the mound, don't walk a right-handed hitter to pitch to a left-handed hitter.
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