Author: Chris Welsh

Former MLB pitcher, currently TV analyst for Cincinnati Reds on Fox Sports Ohio
Expert Analysis

Are the Laces Part of the Glove?

Topics: Video - Fielder, Video - Runner
This is a video post.
Expert Analysis

Benintendi Baseline Call Preserves No-Hitter

Topics: Baseline, Latest News, Rules Controversy, Uncategorized

The Baseline rule (5.09 (b) (1) played a major role in preserving A’s pitcher Sean Manaea’s no-hitter against the Red Sox on Saturday night. With two outs in the sixth inning, Boston left fielder Andrew Benintendi sent a soft grounder up the first-base line and was ruled safe at first base after first baseman Matt Olson failed to tag…

Expert Analysis

MLB Postseason Riddled with Rules Controversies

Topics: Batter, Batter Interference, Catcher, Interference, Runner Interference

  Why Didn’t Dusty Baker Protest Follow-Through Interference? Did Yankees Gary Sanchez Violate a Rule on the Final Out of the Game? Was that Interference on Carlos Correa that Allowed the Winning Run to Score?   Expert Rules Analysis Here CONTROVERSY #1 In the most important game played by the Nationals all year long could…

Expert Analysis

Batter’s Interference: Coaching Tips For Smart Coaches

Topics: Batter Interference, Blog, Rule of the Week

When a batter hinders a catcher making a play, it is basic batter interference. It usually happens that a batter swings at a pitch, misses and then falls into the space of the catcher who is attempting to throw out a runner. The batter is out and the runner(s) are returned to their previous base….

Expert Analysis

Major League Coach Estimates Only 50% of Big Leaguers Know the Infield Fly Rule

Topics: Blog, Infield Fly, Rule of the Week

I recently asked a coach of a Major League, pennant-contending team to estimate how many players on his team know the nuances of the Infield Fly Rule. His answer was shocking – only 50%. Everyone knows the basic requirements for an Infield Fly: Runners on 1B and 2B or bases loaded and fewer than 2…

Expert Analysis

The New MLB Intentional Walk Rule

Topics: Blog, Manager, Pitcher, Rules Changes

The new MLB intentional walk rule has had little effect on the overall length of major league games. It was not a particularly bold move, but it does represent a changing of the mindset of those decision makers to speed up the pace of play. The estimated time shaving is around 35 seconds per game….

Expert Analysis

The World Baseball Classic Rules Worth Knowing

Topics: Blog

The World Baseball Classic begins Monday, March 6, so it is time for us to understand the rules, at least the important ones. Since the WBC is a product of close cooperation and negotiation between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, there are plenty of rules for everyone. Most of the “non-game” rules…

Expert Analysis

The Dirt on MLB’s Newest Pitching Delivery Rule

Topics: Blog

Special to Baseball Rules Academy Several MLB rule changes over the last few years were implemented because of serious injuries to players. Those rules, such as the home plate collision rule and the slide rule are commonly referred to by the famous players involved, “Buster Posey Rule” and the “Chase Utley Rule.” Now we have…

Expert Analysis

NFHS Baseball Points of Emphasis – 2017

Topics: Blog

This article appears on the official NFHS website, nfhs.org By NFHS on November 22, 2016 The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee and the NFHS Board of Directors believe there are areas of the game of interscholastic baseball that need to be addressed and given special attention. These areas of concern are often cyclical, some areas need…

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