Placing Runners

Expert Analysis

Deflected Balls Go Into Dead Ball Territory

Topics: Batted Ball, Dead Ball Area, Foul Territory, Placing Runners, Placing Runners, Uncategorized

Deflected Balls That Go into Dead Ball Territory: Part I This is the first of a three-part series involving rules that relate to pitched, thrown and batted balls that are deflected into dead ball territory or remain in play.  In this edition, I’ll cover deflections that go into dead ball territory on throws from the…

Expert Analysis

New Twists for Umpire Interference

Topics: Base Awards, Placing Runners, Umpire, Umpire Interference, Uncategorized

  Crazy Play That Happened in Dominican Republic Winter Ball The following play occurred in late November in a Dominican Republic winter league game between Gigantes and Toros. Gigantes had a runner on first when the batter hit a scorching line drive over the center fielder’s head. While the four umpires were rotating, the plate…

Expert Analysis

Oops! MLB Umpire Catches Wild Pitch

Topics: Catcher, Definitions, Equipment, Interference, Latest News, Lodged Ball, Placing Runners, Placing Runners, Umpire, Umpire Interference, Uncategorized

In the July 27, 2018 Jays-White Sox game in Chicago, top of the fifth inning, Curtis Granderson was batting for the Jays with Russell Martin on third, Randal Grichuk on second, and Devon Travis on first with one out.  Sox pitcher Thyago Vieira unleashed a wild one. The ball bounced in the dirt and was…

Expert Analysis

Bruce Bochy Knows the Rules!

Topics: Catcher, Dead Ball Area, Dugout, Latest News, Placing Runners, Placing Runners

Regarding throws from the infield that go out of play, umpires must determine if it the “first play” or “second play.”  By rule, when an infielder initially fields the ball, that is NOT A PLAY. The infielder’s “first play” is either: (1) a throw to a base (most common), (2) an attempted tag of a…

Expert Analysis

Dodgers and Angels Players Ignore Umpires…What Happens Next is Chaos

Topics: Baseline, Batted Ball, Batter, Catcher, Fair Territory, Fielding, Latest News, Official Baseball Rules, Pitcher, Placing Runners, Rule of the Week, Rules Controversy, Runners Passing Runners, Umpire

The Onus is on the Defensive Team not to Play on a Retired Runner The Dodgers and Angels played in Anaheim on July 6th.  In the top of the sixth the Dodgers had Justin Turner on second and Cody Bellinger on first with one out when Matt Kemp singled to left scoring Turner.  Justin Upton…

Expert Analysis

First Play or Second Play? Placing Runners is Tricky

Topics: Base Awards, Dead Ball Area, Latest News, Manager Ejection, Placing Runners, Placing Runners, Runners

According to rule 5.06 (G), when a wild throw by an infielder goes out of play or under a bench, the umpires must distinguish if it’s the “first play” or “second play” by the infielder. Remember, by rule, the fielding of a ground ball, line drive or fly ball is not the “first play.” What…

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