Jason Turbow recently wrote a book about some of the Unwritten Rules in Baseball.  Some of these rules we have come to learn through either player error or player stupidity (Sorry A-ROD).  Some of the better known rules are not stealing bases when your team has a significant lead.  Or the player who stands and admires his home run to long can probably expect to be hit next time up.  Another rule that some did not know about but have discovered thanks to Alex Rodriguez is that you don’t run across the pitchers mound unless your wanting to start WWIII.  Lets take a look at a few that might no be as well known.

1. Don’t swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home runs.

When Yankees rookie Chase Wright gave up back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers against Boston in 2007, the guys who hit numbers three and four — Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek — each watched a pitch before taking a cut. “Let him know, okay, I’m not swinging,” said Hal McRae. “I know you’re out there trying to do a job, and I have to do a job — but you’ve just given up back-to-back home runs. So I take the first pitch.”

2. Don’t work the count when your team is up or down by a lot.

I am surprised that baseball does not send threatening letters to batters in blowouts who continue to work the count; since George Sherrill of the Dodgers received a warning letter for taking 45 seconds to throw his warm up pitches.

3. When hit by a pitch, don’t rub the mark.

This rule tends to seem like it is an “Old School ” rule.  Pete Rose made a point of sprinting to first base after being hit, to ensure that he stripped all satisfaction from the pitcher.  Today, an option that is considered more and more is a stare down and a chat with the pitcher as you take your free walk to first.

4. Don’t stand on the dirt cutout at home plate while a pitcher is warming up.

This one seems like a given as pitchers like Jeremy Guthrie have admitted to suddenly becoming wild.  “I stay as far away from the cutout as I can when the pitcher is warming up,” said Ken Griffey Jr. “If they could, they should put the on-deck circle in left field to make me happy. I don’t want anything to do with messing with the pitcher when he’s getting ready.”

5. Don’t walk in front of a catcher or umpire when getting into the batter’s box.

This rule is purely out of respect to the umpire and opposing catcher.  Walking in front of the home plate umpire might make him upset to the point that your strike zone all of a sudden becomes from your shoes to your helmet.  If that happens don’t say we didn’t warn you.

6. Don’t help the opposition make a play (bracing them from falling into the dugout, etc.)

In 1998, Dodgers left fielder Matt Luke braced Arizona’s Andy Fox as the third baseman staggered into the Los Angeles dugout while chasing a pop fly. He knew the Code, but he had also been Fox’s roommate in multiple levels of the Yankees’ minor-league system, and was so tight with him that Fox had served as an usher in his wedding. Even then, he had his limits. “I waited until he made the play,” said Luke in the Riverside Press Enterprise. “I wanted to prevent an injury. We’re competing out there, and not for one second do I want to help the opposition.”

7. Relievers take it easy when facing other relievers.

For the most part, relievers won’t face a fellow reliever in a close game.  The only team this would happen is if the game is a blowout or the game is in extra innings.  “You’d probably give them all fastballs,” said Dave LaRoche. “It was just a professional courtesy type of thing. Here it is — I’ll give you a chance to hit it if you can.”  If they really wanted to give them a chance they would pitch underhand like slow pitch softball to them.

8. Follow the umpire’s Code when addressing them on the field.

This is an important rule as each umpire has a different level of what he tolerates.  For example, a comment made about the call (and only the call) is generally acceptable.  But when you make it personal that is usually when you will be getting first dibs on the shower.

9. Pitchers stay in the dugout at least until the end of the inning in which they get pulled.

For the most part, this rule is adhered too.  A few occasions where this wouldn’t be the case is if its a blow out and your the one who allowed the debacle.  Or if you just blew a close game and come into the dugout and beat up the Gatorade container and end up losing the fight, you can go take a shower Mr. Gatorade.

10. Pitchers never show up their fielders.

This doesn’t happen frequently, but when it does, players notice and will take exception. One pitcher who made a habit of excessive body language on the mound was Gaylord Perry, who would put his hands on his hips and would stare down fielders who made errors behind him.

Information from Yahoo.com was used in this article.