One of the more impressive feats in any athletic competition is the officials’ ability to master the rule book. Often, these manuals include hundreds of pages and incredible amounts of minutiae for referees to memorize, and by and large, those in charge with keeping the peace interpret and apply them correctly. That includes off-the-wall rules, too — and of those there are many. Here’s a look at 27 of the weirdest and wildest rules in sports:
According to Rule 5.06(c)(7) of the MLB rulebook, “If a pitched ball lodges in the umpire’s or catcher’s mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, on the third strike or fourth ball, then the batter is entitled to first base and all runners advance one base.