Runner’s Lane Interference at 2022 College World Series Changes Everything
In the final game of the 2022 College World Series between Ole Miss and Oklahoma, a video replay enforced the penalty for the violation of runner’s lane interference. With such a significant game on the line, it was touted as controversial, but applying the rule from the NCAA it is actually a very easy call….
The NFHS Runner’s Lane Rule: Umpire’s Guide
This Special Report was written by Rick Roder, author of The Rules of Professional Baseball: A Comprehensive Reorganization and Clarification. Email Rick, rick@nullrulesofbaseball.com Baseball’s running lane rule got its day in the sun in Game 6 of the 2019 World Series. Plate umpire Sam Holbrook ruled that Washington Senators’ batter-runner Trea Turner violated the rule…
Runner’s Lane Violations All Over MLB
Bellinger Called Out The Dodgers and Padres played in San Diego on Thursday night. Cody Bellinger led off the top of the fourth for the Dodgers in a scoreless game and hit a dribbler in front of the plate. The ball was fielded by catcher Austin Hedges who fired wide of first base and…
Runner’s Lane Interference 5.09 (a) (11)
The Rangers and Tigers played at Comerica Park on May 29, 2023. In the top of the fifth inning the Rangers had Robbie Grossman on first base and one out when Bubba Thompson laid down a bunt that was fielded by Tigers’ pitcher Matthew Boyd who threw to first base. The throw hit Thompson and…
Batter-Runner Interference
Play No. 1 The Rangers and A’s played in Oakland on May 26th. In the bottom of the seventh, Christian Bethancourt was batting with the bases empty and no outs facing Martin Perez. Bethancourt bunted the ball between the mound and the first baseline. Perez fielded the ball and tossed to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe….
Rule of the Week: Runner’s Lane
Runner’s Lane The purpose of the three-foot wide lane (aka 45’ lane) along the last half of the distance between home and first base in foul territory is widely misunderstood. It only applies when the ball is being thrown to first base from the area of the plate (roughly from behind the runner), and…
Benintendi Baseline Call Preserves No-Hitter
The Baseline rule (5.09 (b) (1) played a major role in preserving A’s pitcher Sean Manaea’s no-hitter against the Red Sox on Saturday night. With two outs in the sixth inning, Boston left fielder Andrew Benintendi sent a soft grounder up the first-base line and was ruled safe at first base after first baseman Matt Olson failed to tag…
Batter Interferes With Catcher’s Throw – Two MLB Examples
Two Batter Interference plays that occurred six days apart are worth a look. Play Number 1 On August 31, 2017, the Astros hosted the Rangers at Tropicana Field in Florida because of Hurricane Harvey. In the bottom of the first, the Astros had George Springer on first base and no outs when Alex Bregman swung…
Runner’s Lane Interference Controversy
The Cubs and Mets played at Citi Field on September 13, 2022. In the top of the fourth, the Cubs had runners on first and second and no outs when Michael Hermosillo, facing Jacob deGrom, laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by James McCann. The Mets’ catcher fired to first baseman Pete Alonso….
