Pete Alonso's "RBI Infield Hit" - What Gives?
We've all seen it: a ground ball that barely rolls a few feet, but somehow gets ruled an RBI. That's what happened with Pete Alonso's "infield hit" a few weeks back. The whole stadium was going bonkers, but honestly, the ball was barely moving! So, what exactly is an RBI infield hit, and why is it so controversial?
Let's break it down. Basically, an RBI infield hit occurs when a batter hits a ground ball that's slow enough for an infielder to field it, but they can't throw it in time to get the runner out at first base. In this case, the runner on third base scores.
Here's the thing: The rules are pretty clear-cut. If the infielder can't throw the ball to first before the runner reaches the base, it's a hit, even if the ball never left the infield. So, the play itself was technically correct.
But, man, it still feels kinda weird! A ball rolling a few feet doesn't seem like much of a hit. And, frankly, many fans were scratching their heads at the whole thing.
So, what do we do with this? Well, the MLB is always trying to keep the game exciting, and sometimes that means bending the rules a bit. Maybe it's a good thing! It keeps people on their toes and gets those "lucky" hits that everyone loves to talk about.
But hey, let's be honest: Sometimes, it feels like those "infield hits" are more about a close call than a true skill play. Maybe the MLB should consider a rule change that makes these types of plays a bit clearer, but who knows, maybe it's just part of the game.
Bottom line: It's a controversial play, but it's still a hit! And even if you don't love the rule, it's definitely a conversation starter.