Question #1

What constitutes passing a runner per rule 5.09 (b) (9)? Is the trail runner considered  passing the lead runner if any part of his body passes the lead runner, or does the body of the trail runner have to go completely by the lead runner?

In this Eastern League game between the Altoona Curve and Somerset Patriots, Altoona  had runners on first and second and one out when the batter hit a book rule double over the center field wall. The runner on second, unsure if the ball was caught, retreated back to second where he and the runner on first made contact. The runner who was on first was called out for passing the runner who was on second. It appears that part of R1s body passed R2. But is that good enough to invoke the passing the runner rule?

Ruleball Comments

The answer is “Yes.”

In the past few weeks, I have been asked the question as to what constitutes the passing of a runner? At what point is a trail runner considered to have passed a preceding or lead runner?

Although it has never been addressed in the Official Baseball Rules or the Major League Baseball Umpire’s Manual, it has been my opinion for many years that the interpretation has been that the trail runner’s body had to be completely by the preceding runner to be considered as passing the runner.

But after doing a deep dive into the rule, I recently learned that the current Pro rule interpretation is, if any part of the trail runner’s body passes the lead runner, he is considered to have passed the lead runner and is in violation of the rule. It should be applied like a 100-yard sprint at the finish line. If any part of the trail runner’s body is ahead of the lead runner, it constitutes passing. Or perhaps you might consider a photo finish in a horse race when a horse “wins by a nose.”

Again, runners and coaches need to be reminded that active runners can physically assist each other to prevent the passing. Based on the current interpretation of the passing the runner rule, it would be wise for runners to use the push-off technique to ensure that no part of the trail runner’s body passes the lead runner.

Question #2

R1 and R3 and no outs.  The batter hits the ball back to the pitcher. R3 is then hung up between third and home. Meanwhile R1 advances  to third base. R3, during the course of the rundown is being chased by the catcher and runs through third base down the left field line. The catcher tags R1 who is on third base then continues to tag R3 who is beyond third base. How should this play be handled?

A.   Per rule 5.09 (b) (9), R1 should be called out for passing R3. Note the moment when R3 ran through third base and R1 was on third base, R1, the trail runner, was now ahead of R3 on the base path. Therefore, R1 should be called out for passing R3. If R3 gets back to the base properly without being tagged, he can remain at third. If R3 is tagged, abandons his right as a runner or in attempting to avoid a tag he runs out of the baseline before returning to third base, R3 is out as well.

It doesn’t make sense for the lead runner, R3, in that play to run through third base with a teammate (R1) standing on the base. Most likely the play will end up in a double play if properly umpired. In my opinion, if the lead runner can get back to third without being tagged, he should remain at third base. If possible, R1 should attempt to return to second base and get into a rundown once R3 has reached third base. While in the rundown, it’s possible to pick-up the Type 1 obstruction call. And if he does, he will be awarded third base which would bump R3 home.

Question #3

In the All-Star Game, Freddie Freeman was involved in a play at first base when the call was challenged and changed from safe to out. Can you explain what happened?

A. In the top of the sixth with Will Smith on first base and one out, Freeman hit a ground ball to Josh Naylor at first base. Naylor threw to second for the force out but the throw back to first pulled Naylor off the base. First base umpire Bruce Dreckman called Freeman safe. The call was challenged and reversed.

From what I can determine, Freeman never touched first base. He stepped on Naylor’s foot which was on the base. When he stepped on Naylor’s foot, it moved Naylor’s foot to the base which would create the out.  The call was properly overturned from safe to out.

IMO, if Freeman was called safe, the AL could have challenged the play because Freeman never made a legal touch of first base. Stepping on the fielder’s foot on the base is not a legal touch of a base.

Question #4

The Royals and Rockies played at Coors Field on July 5, 2024. In the bottom of the third,  Michael Toglia hit a shot to deep left field. It appeared a fan’s glove made contact with Royals left fielder Dairon Blanco’s glove while the ball was still in flight. The Royals challenged the HR call, but the call survived the replay. Why did the umpires in NYC allow the call on the field to stand?

A. The Replay Official could not definitively determine that the spectator made contact with the fielder over the playing field. Therefore, the call on the field remained.When looking at replays, depending on the camera angle, it’s often difficult to discern boundary calls.

You can look at the video below. Pause it at the 9 sec. mark.

Question #5

Do you have any examples of plays where a retired runner, as distinguished from a runner who has scored or a runner who violated the force slide rule was called out for interference which created a double play?

A. I had to go into my archives for this one. When Gene Mauch played for the Red Sox, he was involved in a strange play against the Orioles on April 22, 1957. Mauch was batting with Dick Gernert on third base and Gene Stephens on first base in the seventh inning with one out. Mauch grounded to first baseman George Kell who stepped on the base to retire Mauch. Kell then fired home in an attempt to nail Gernert. Mauch, however, was called for interference because he threw up his hands and deflected Kell’s throw. Umpire Ed Rommel also declared Gernert out for Mauch’s interference.

Question #6

I understand that a runner must avoid a fielder when he is making a play. But is the fielder still protected after he fields the batted ball?

Yes. If, after a fielder has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference. Intent on the part of the runner is not a factor.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.