Author: nkirby

Expert Analysis

Did Bobby Witt Jr. Overslide? Or Was He Pushed Off the Bag?

Topics: Runners

The Royals hosted the Yankees on April 29, 2022,  when an explosive argument developed in the second inning that led to Royals’ manager Mike Matheny’s ejection. Here’s what happened. Bobby Witt Jr. was on second base with one out when he tried to get and early jump and steal third. Nestor Cortes who was on…

Expert Analysis

How a Smart Manager Could Earn a Run by Understanding Catcher’s Interference

Topics: Batted Ball, Catcher Interference, Expert Analysis, Interference, Manager

What exactly is catcher’s interference? What happens after catcher’s interference occurs…..is that ball dead? What happen if the ball is put in play? What if there is a sacrifice fly? Major League Umpire, Ted Barrett, and Chris Welsh define catcher’s interference and explain how a smart manager could earn an extra run if they understand…

Expert Analysis

Is it Legal for a Baserunner to Block the Throwing Lane?

Topics: Baseline, Fielding, Interference, Pitcher Pick-offs
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Expert Analysis

Runner hit by batted ball…..is the runner always out?

Topics: Base Awards, Deflected Ball, Expert Analysis, Placing Runners, Runner Interference, Runners

When a runner is hit by a batted ball, he is not always out. Umpires must assess the situation and apply the proper rule. The most common form of this violation is when a runner is struck by a batted ball in front an infielder and impedes him from making a play.  The runner is…

Expert Analysis

Failing to Return to First Base

Topics: Base, Base Awards, Expert Analysis, Rules Controversy

The Orioles and A’s played in Oakland on April 21. In the top of the fourth inning Trey Mancini reached first base on an error. Once he got beyond first base, he collected himself, and turning his body toward second base he made a hop step. Walking back to the bag along the first-base line,…

Expert Analysis

The Runner’s Right of Way Rule….Did the Umpires Apply it Wrong?

Topics: Baseline, Fielding, Interference, Obstruction, Runner Interference

The Guardians hosted the White Sox on April 21. In the bottom of the seventh, the Guardians had Josh Naylor on second with no outs when Ernie Clement hit a chopper to Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. Naylor ran into Anderson as he was attempting to field the ball and the ball came out of Anderson’s…

Expert Analysis

What happens if a player walks up to the batters box unannounced?

Topics: Batter's Box, Coach, Dugout, Expert Analysis, Manager, Official Baseball Rules, Official Scorer, Rules Controversy

We have all seen pinch hitters enter the game where the standard protocol is followed: the manager comes out of the dugout and points out to the umpire that he has a new hitter entering the game, and the umpire points to the press box officially entering the player into the game. What happens if…

Expert Analysis

Type 2 Obstruction – Here’s What You need to Know

Topics: Appeal, Base Awards, Batter Runner, Expert Analysis, Famous Plays, Fielding, Interference, Obstruction, Rules Controversy, Runners Lane

Beginning 2024, pro rules (OBR, MLB) will no longer allow a fielder who is not in possession of the ball to block a base (1B, 2B, 3B) or impede a runner. It will be enforced similar to the Home Plate Collision Rule.  New Rule Explained Here: https://baseballrulesacademy.com/obstruction-enforcement-at-all-bases-in-2024/ Type 2 Obstruction (Ball Remains in Play) Under…

Expert Analysis

When a Batter Attempts to Induce a Balk

Topics: Balk, Batter's Box, Expert Analysis

It doesn’t happen often in baseball, but there have been occurrences where a batter is trying to create a balk by stepping out of the batters box while the pitcher is throwing a pitch. Major League Umpire, Ted Barrett, and Chris Welsh discuss the correct ruling on this play in a simple and easy to…

Expert Analysis

The Contentious Life of the Ghost Runner: Controversial Extra-Innings Rule Back for 2022

Topics: Latest News, Official Baseball Rules, Rules Changes

Sixty-five years ago this week, the defending World Champion New York Yankees beat the Washington Senators 2-1 on an Opening Day walk-off hit. The hero that day was third baseman Andy Carey, who came up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and fouled off six pitches before hitting a single to…

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