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Expert Analysis

Runner Abandonment 2023

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Moore Out for Runner Abandonment The Royals hosted the Mariners on Aug. 17, 2023. In the top of the seventh, Dylan Moore was batting with one out. He hit a looping fly ball to left fielder MJ Melendez who made a running, sliding attempt to catch the ball and dropped it. Moore, thinking the ball…

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The Various Layers of the Infield Fly Rule

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The Rockies and Dodgers played at Dodger Stadium on August 13, 2023. In the bottom of the second inning, the Dodgers had the bases loaded and one out when Miguel Rojas, facing Kyle Freeland, hit a routine pop fly to Brendan Rodgers. The umpires invoked the Infield Fly Rule. The Rockies’ second baseman was blinded…

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Batting Out of Turn

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I recently received this question from a coach. What should we do if we notice that an opposing player has batted out of turn? That’s a good question and one that is difficult to understand even among the best baseball minds.  Let’s explore the Batting Out of Turn Rule 6.03 (b) and apply it for…

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The Two Types of Obstruction

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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 1 Obstruction On July 30, 2023…

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Fair or Foul?

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On July 22, 2023 the Yankees hosted the Royals.  Bobby Witt Jr. led off the top of the fourth with a bunt along the foul line between home and third. The ball eventually rolled foul, barely off the line. So, Yankees’ third baseman DJ LeMahieu pushed the ball to keep it from rolling back into…

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Pitchers Ejected Without Warning

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If the umpires determine that a pitcher is intentionally throwing at a batter, they can eject a pitcher without warning, or they can toss both the manager and the pitcher per rule 6.02 (a) (9) following crew consultation. This past week two pitchers were ejected in such fashion. The first one occurred in the July…

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Appeal Play at Third Base

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The Braves and Red Sox met at Fenway Park on July 25, 2023. In the top of the first inning, the Braves had Austin Riley on third, Matt Olson on second, and Sean Murphy on first with one out when Marcell Ozuna hit a low line drive to Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo. Second base…

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2023 Game and Inning Ending Plays

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I’m sure you remember Kool and the Gang’s popular hit, “Celebrate Good Times Come On.” Over the years baseball players have prematurely celebrated victories because of their ignorance of the rules. In this column I am covering six game-ending situations that players and coaches should be aware of. Unless noted, the Pro, NCAA, and NFHS rules…

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The 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tar Game

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Today, marks the 40th anniversary of the historic Pine Tar Game when George Brett’s two-run homer off Yankees’ reliever “Goose” Gossage in the top of the ninth gave the Royals an “apparent” 5-4 lead but was nullified by the umpires because they ruled the amount of pine tar on Brett’s bat exceeded the legal 18-inch…

Expert Analysis

July 2023 Rules Question and Answer #2

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Play No. 1 QUESTION: Look at this video from a minor league game and tell me why the outfielder did not get credit for a catch after he carried the ball several feet. Instead, the batter was credited with a home run? Click on the link below. ANSWER: This outfielder wasn’t credited with a catch…

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