Rule of the Week

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

Are Laces Part of the Glove?

Topics: Rule of the Week, Runners

Anderson Tags Runner with Glove’s Laces The Twins and White Sox played at Target Field on April 12. In the bottom of the third, the Twins had Byron Buxton on first with no outs when he attempted to steal second base. White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson made the apparent tag on Buxton, who was called…

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

Can a Runner Continue to Run the Bases After He is Put Out?

Topics: Blog, Rule of the Week

Most of the time when a runner is put out on the base paths, he turns and heads towards his dugout. But what happens if the “put out” runner continues to run the bases as if he believes he is still active and in play? Perhaps one of the defensive players doesn’t realize that he…

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

Bat Boy or Ball Boy Interference

Topics: Blog, Interference, Rule of the Week

Baseball games feature batboys and batgirls at all levels. Occasionally they get involved in a play and disrupt the natural course of the game. It most often occurs when a ball is hit down the baseline (fair) and the ball boy stationed in foul territory, is struck by the ball. We have all seen plays…

Expert Analysis

Indians’ Outfielder Austin Jackson’s Amazing Catch (and why it was legal)

Topics: Blog, Rule of the Week

The Red Sox hosted the Indians Tuesday, August 1, 2017 in a game that was highlighted by one of the most spectacular catches ever made by an outfielder at Fenway Park. A standing ovation for a visiting player is tough to come by in Boston, but that’s what Red sox fans did after witnessing Jackson’s…

Expert Analysis

When all else fails, throw your glove at the ball

Topics: Fielding, Rule of the Week

How did Marcell Ozuna get away with throwing his glove at the ball? Remember chasing a baseball down a sloping street, wishing desperately that you could somehow get to it before it rolled into the storm sewer? A ball in the sewer didn’t just mean the end of the game–it meant the end of the…

Expert Analysis

Special Update: Red Sox Protest Denied!

Topics: Blog, Interference, Rule of the Week, Rules Controversy, Umpire

MLB has rejected the Red Sox protest of the July 15 game against the Yankees. ICYMI: Review of the play To briefly review the situation (in case you missed it, see yesterday’s post, “Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry Plays Out Again”): In the top of the 11th inning the Yankees had Matt Holliday at first base and…

Expert Analysis

Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry Plays Out Again

Topics: Blog, Rule of the Week

Baseball fans know the Red Sox and Yankees maintain one of the fiercest rivalries in sports. Indeed, things always seem to get sticky when the two teams meet each other. Saturday’s long game was no exception. Read Rich Marazzi’s report here to read more about the bizarre play: Holliday Interference? by Rich Marazzi Red Sox…

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