Protective Netting Issues
The Guardians and Mariners played at T-Mobile Park on August 28, 2022. In the bottom of the fifth, the M’s had runners on first and third with two outs when Dylan Moore hit a pop fly in foul territory near the netting on the outfield side of the first base dugout. Guardians’ first baseman Owen…
2022 Rules Questions with Rich Marazzi
Restricted Baseline Running Home Question: When a runner is advancing home and avoiding a tag by a catcher, does the runner have a restricted baseline? Answer: Yes. Whenever a runner is avoiding a tag, or is in a rundown, he has a restricted baseline. It is a straight line to the base he is going to, and…
Bob Melvin Ejected After Call Overturned to Illegally Blocking the Plate
The Nationals hosted the Padres on Aug. 13, 2022. In the bottom of seventh with the score tied 3-3, the Nats had Cesar Hernandez on second base and one out when Victor Robles hit safely to right field. Juan Soto fired to catcher Austin Nola and plate umpire Paul Emmel called Hernandez out. Nats’ skipper…
Baserunner Hit Running to Second Base
The Rays and Orioles played in Baltimore on July 25, 2022. In the bottom of the fifth, the O’s had Adley Rutschman on third and Ryan Mountcastle on first and one out when Anthony Santander hit a ground ball to first baseman Ji-Man Choi. The Rays’ first baseman fired to second in an attempt to…
Collisions at Home Plate – Rule 6.01 (i)
Play No. 1 The Blue Jays and Twins met at Target Field on Aug. 7, 2022. In the top of the tenth, with the score tied 2-2, the Jays had Whit Merrifield on third base and one out when Cavan Biggio hit a fly ball to left fielder Tim Beckham who threw home to catcher…
Five Questions about Balks Answered by Rich Marazzi
When a pitcher balks followed by a throw to a base or a pitch to the batter, or pitches a “Ball Four,” there are many questions that need to be answered. This creates a challenge for the players, coaching staff, manager, and broadcasters. Keep in mind, when a pitcher balks, the ball is not always…
MLB Umpires Utilizing Rule 8.02 (c)
The D’backs and Braves played at Truist Park on July 31, 2022. In the bottom of the second, the Braves had Austin Riley on second and Travis d’Arnaud on first with one out when William Contreras hit a drive to left field. Jake McCarthy, the D’backs’ left fielder, “snared” the ball and carried it a…
Reds’ Baserunning Blunder Causes Chaos Scoring the Play
The Orioles and Reds played at Great American Park on July 30th. In the bottom of the fifth, the Reds had Kyle Farmer on first base and one out when Nick Senzel hit a line drive that caromed off the left field wall into the hands of O’s left fielder Austin Hays. Farmer, thinking the…
