Smart Baserunning with Baseline Rule
The O’s and Guardians played at Progressive Field on Aug. 2, 2024. In the bottom of the sixth the Guardians scored two runs on a sac/fly in their 8-4 win. The Guardians had the bases loaded and one out. Brayan Rocchio was on third, Austin Hedges was on second and Steven Kwan was on first…
Runner Appeal 2024
The Padres and Rockies played at Petco on Aug. 4, 2024. In the top of the third, Ezequiel Tovar was batting facing Matt Waldron with Aaron Schunk on first base. Tovar hit a pop fly that was caught in foul territory by first baseman Luis Arraez. Schunk was running with the pitch. He was deked…
Catcher’s Interference Rule That Creates A Balk
The Rays hosted the Marlins on July 30, 2024. In the bottom of the seventh, Jose Siri was at bat facing Austin Kitchen with José Cabellero on third base. Cabellero broke for the plate in an attempt to steal the dish. Marlins catcher Nick Fortes jumped out in front the plate. Plate ump Tripp Gibson called…
Two Runner Interference Plays in 2024
Runner Interference Rule with Infield Fly Rule For the third time this season, there was a runner interference call in the middle of an Infield Fly rule play. The Mariners and Red Sox played at Fenway on July 31, 2024. With one out and runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh…
Type 2 Obstruction at Third Base in MLB 2024
The Angels and Mariners played in Seattle on July 23, 2024. In the top of the fifth inning, the Angels had the bases loaded and no outs. Nolan Schanuel was on third, Brandon Drury was on second, and Mickey Moniak was on first. Zach Neto was at bat facing Logan Gilbert. Neto laid down a…
Third Base Coach Interference?
The Mariners hosted the Angels on July 22, 2024. In the top of the ninth with the score tied 1-1, the Angels had Brandon Drury on second and Zach Neto on first with two outs when Jo Adell singled to center field. Both runners scored. Neto advanced home because of a throwing error by M’s…
August 2024 Rules Question and Answer
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…
2024 One Base Beyond Rule
The Rays and Yankees played in New York on July 19, 2024 when a relatively obscure rule almost came alive. In the bottom of the fourth, Juan Soto, batting with the bases empty and two outs, facing Zach Eflin, doubled to deep left field. Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena fumbled the ball as it caromed…
How should a fielder or a runner react to a potential lodged ball?
The Rangers and Astros played at Minute Maid on July 14, 2024. In the top of the first inning, the Rangers had Marcus Semien on first and no outs when Corey Seager, facing Ronel Blanco, bounced to Jon Singleton. The Astros first baseman threw to shortstop Jeremy Peña to force Semien. But Peña’s throw to…
Passing the Baserunner
One of the most intriguing plays of the first half of the 2024 season occurred in Anaheim where the Astros and Angels played on June 9, 2024. In the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 7-7, the Angels had Kevin Pillar on first and one out when Logan O’Hoppe drilled a Josh Hader…
