Batters Can No Longer Try to Induce Pitch Timer Violation
In my last report I covered the situation where Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen committed three Pitch Timer violations in the same inning in the May 13, 2023 game against the Cardinals. MLB issued a memo that exonerated Jansen based on the actions of the batter, Willson Contreras. Following is the memo in part. In…
Runner Runs Third to Home in Fair Territory
The Orioles and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre on May 20, 2023. In the top of the 10th inning, the score was tied 5-5 when the O’s Ryan Mountcastle began the inning on second base as the ghost runner. Adam Frazier bunted him to third. Austin Hays then hit a ground ball toward…
Foul Ball Changed to Fair
The Yankees and Reds played at Great American Ball Park on May 21, 2023. In the bottom of the first, the Reds had Jonathan India on first base and two outs when Spencer Speer hit a slicing fly ball down the right field line. India was running on the pitch. Yankees’ right fielder Jake Bauers…
Five Rule Questions from the 2023 MLB Season
Schowalter Ejected on No Interference QUESTION: In a recent Mets-Reds game, Mets manager Buck Showalter, who seldom gets ejected, was banished for arguing a play at second base. Can you explain what happened? ANSWER: The Reds hosted the Mets on May 9, 2023. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Mets had Wil Myers…
Jansen Called for Three Pitch Timer Violations in the Same Inning
Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was called for three pitch timer violations by plate umpire Derek Thomas in Boston on May 13, 2023 when the Red Sox fell to the Cardinals, 4-3. Jansen fell victim to the Max Scherzer rule that was born in a spring training game. With the BoSox holding a 3-1 lead…
Germán Ejected for Using an Illegal Substance
Yankees right hander Domingo Germán was ejected for using an illegal substance when the Yankees and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre on May 16, 2023. Germán began to take the mound for the bottom of the fourth after three perfect innings to start the ballgame. But he was intercepted by the umpiring crew,…
Trout Kicks Ball After Scoring
The Angels beat the Guardians at Progressive Field on May 12th, 2023 scoring two runs in the top of the ninth. It’s debatable if the winning run should have scored. Here is what happened. Hunter Renfroe was batting with Mike Trout on third and Brett Phillips on first and one out when Renfroe hit a…
“Balk/Walk” Rule Misinterpreted
The Blue Jays hosted the Mariners on April 30, 2023. In the bottom of the fourth, Whitt Merrifield was at bat with a 3-2 count and two outs facing Penn Murfee. Vlad Guerrero, the runner on first, took off with the pitch that was “Ball Four.” One of the umpires on plate ump Mark Carlson’s…
Brewers Create Time Play
The Brewers and Giants played at Oracle Park on May 5, 2023. In the top of the first, the Brewers had Owen Miller on third and Brian Anderson on first with two outs. Luke Voit was the batter facing Sean Manaea. Anderson took an extended lead prompting a pickoff throw from Manaea. This put Anderson…
