Batter’s Box

Expert Analysis

Batter Never Swings but Pitch Hits Bat and Rolls into Fair Territory

Topics: Batted Ball, Batter's Box, Fair Territory, Video - Batter
This is a video post.
Expert Analysis

When a Batted Ball Double Hits the Bat While the Hitter is in the Box

Topics: Batter, Batter's Box, Fair Territory, Foul Territory, Uncategorized
This is a video post.
Expert Analysis

Base Award Chart – Balls Deflected Out of Play

Topics: Base Awards, Batter's Box, Placing Runners, Uncategorized
Expert Analysis

Hit By Pitch, Not So Simple

Topics: Batter, Batter's Box, Hit By Pitch, Uncategorized

When a batter is hit by a pitch it is usually an easy call for the home plate umpire; dead ball, batter awarded first base and all runners who are forced advance one base. But what happens if the batter is not in the batter’s box? Or attempts to swing or offers to bunt the…

Expert Analysis

Broadcasters Call Machado Play “Bush League.” But is it Interference?

Topics: Batter, Batter Interference, Batter Runner, Batter's Box, Catcher, Definitions, Interference, Manager Ejection, Runner Interference, Uncategorized

Diamondback Announcers did not hold back on their opinion of Manny Machado and his controversial play in San Diego versus the Padres, Tuesday, April 2, 2019. “It’s such an unnecessary thing, to say the least” Brenly said. “Obviously, it could create a potential injury. You drop a bat next to a guy who’s looking up…

Expert Analysis

MLB TO USE PITCH TIMER DURING ’19 SPRING TRAINING

Topics: Batter, Batter's Box, Blog, Manager, News, Rule changes 2019, Rules Changes, Umpire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2019 MLB ANNOUNCES FORMAT OF PITCH TIMER DURING SPRING TRAINING Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced the format of a pitch timer that will be used during 2019 Spring Training games. No decision has been made on whether the timer will be used in regular season games. A 20-second pitch…

Expert Analysis

What Do You Know? 9 Rules Questions from 2018

Topics: Base, Batter's Box, Catcher Interference, Dead Ball Area, Fair Territory, Foul Territory, Infield Fly, Pinch Hitter, Pitcher, Pitcher Pick-offs, Runner Interference, Uncategorized

1. There’s a runner on first, catcher’s interference is called and the batter safely makes it to first as a result of the play. If the runner on first (after safely reaching second base), makes an attempt for third base during the play and gets thrown out, does the offensive coach have the option to…

Expert Analysis

Catcher’s Interference

Topics: Batted Ball, Batter, Batter's Box, Blog, Catcher, Catcher Interference, Dead Ball Area, Definitions, Equipment, Expert Analysis, Fair Territory, Fielding, Interference, Latest News, Manager, Obstruction, Official Baseball Rules, Rule of the Week, Rules Controversy, Umpire

On Sunday the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros played at Minute Maid.  In the bottom of the second, Tony Kemp was batting with the bases loaded and one out when Kemp’s swing made contact with the mitt of Royals’ catcher Drew Butera.  Plate umpire Lance Barrett ruled the ball dead because it was a…

Expert Analysis

Batter Interferes With Catcher’s Throw – Two MLB Examples

Topics: Batter, Batter Interference, Batter's Box, Interference, Latest News, Manager, Manager Ejection, Runners, Umpire

Two Batter Interference plays that occurred six days apart are worth a look. Play Number 1 On August 31, 2017, the Astros hosted the Rangers at Tropicana Field in Florida because of Hurricane Harvey.  In the bottom of the first, the Astros had George Springer on first base and no outs when Alex Bregman swung…

Expert Analysis

Batter Taps Rolling Ball with Bat Called Out

Topics: Baseline, Batted Ball, Batter, Batter Interference, Batter's Box, Fair Territory, Latest News

      Normally, when you think of batter-runner interference, you think of the batter-runner who runs out of the 45-foot long, 3-foot wide runner’s box the last 45-feet and interferes with the fielder taking the throw. But batter-runner interference can occur long before the batter-runner reaches the box. Once the ball is batted into…

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