Runners

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Expert Analysis

Outfielder’s Throw is Deflected into Dead Ball Territory

Topics: Base Awards, Dead Ball Area, Deflected Ball, Placing Runners, Runners, Uncategorized

Whenever a thrown, pitched, or batted ball is deflected into dead ball territory, umpires must be able to make the proper base award and coaches should be able to determine if the base award was proper. This can impact the outcome of a game. Thrown Ball Deflected into Dead Ball Territory Take what occurred when…

Expert Analysis

Must a Runner Slide When Attempting to Break Up a Double Play?

Topics: Fielding, Interference, Runner Interference, Runners, Uncategorized

 Under professional rules (OBR): NO There is no requirement that a runner must slide when trying to beak-up a DP.  In the game between Tampa Bay and San Francisco on April 5, 2019, the Giants’ Yangervis Solarte did not slide into second base on an attempted DP and no interference was called after a Rays…

Expert Analysis

Deflected Balls that Remain in Play (Part 3)

Topics: Base Awards, Deflected Ball, Obstruction, Runner Interference, Runners, Uncategorized

Deflected Batted Ball Strikes the Runner  Deflections make for knotty problems since they usually lead to right of way arguments.  Whenever a batted ball is deflected off the pitcher or another infielder into the path of the runner, one of three things can happen: The ball can remain alive and in play The runner can…

Expert Analysis

Can a runner go back and tag a missed base while the ball is dead?

Topics: Base, Batter Runner, Latest News, Runners

Can a runner go back and tag a missed base while the ball is dead? Well, that depends. Here are some circumstances to consider. For instance, if a batter-runner misses first base and his fair batted ball ends-up in the seats for a book-rule double, he can still return to touch his missed base while…

Expert Analysis

Runners Passing Runners, Oh My!

Topics: Batter Runner, Latest News, Runners, Runners Passing Runners

Author: Rich Marazzi: Rules consultant- Blue Jays, Brewers, Cardinals, D’backs, Dodgers, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Rays, Reds, Red Sox, Royals, Tigers, Twins, Yankees, the Sinclair Regional Sports Networks, ESPN, YES, and White Sox TV Passing the Runner: Rule 5.09 (b) (9) The passing the runner rule might be best understood if it read, “When…

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

Best (Legal) Way to Break Up a Double Play

Topics: Baseline, Expert Analysis, Fielding, Interference, Latest News, Runner Interference, Runners

I have advocated in my spring training presentations that the pop-up slide is an excellent technique to help break up the double play at second base in a force situation. Because of the 2016 sliding regulations under rule 6.01 (j), runners obviously do not have the liberal opportunity they had in the past when breaking…

Expert Analysis

11 Rules Questions that Need Answering Now

Topics: Balk, Batter, Catcher, Catcher Interference, Definitions, Expert Analysis, Home Plate Collision, Interference, Latest News, Obstruction, Official Baseball Rules, Pitcher, Pitcher Pick-offs, Rules Controversy, Runner Interference, Runners, Substitutions

If a manager wants to challenge multiple situations in the same play, what is the proper way to have the field umpires communicate this to the Command Center?   The manager should tell the field umpires the situations he wants challenged. It should be done in layers at the same time. Does a tag attempt…

Expert Analysis

Rizzo’s Controversial Slide at Home

Topics: Baseline, Catcher, Ejection, Home Plate Collision, Manager Ejection, Rules Controversy, Runner Interference, Runners

For the second consecutive year, the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo was involved in a controversial slide at the plate. Following is the report from MLB.com. In the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 7-0 win over the Pirates on Monday afternoon at PNC Park, a replay-review ruling on Anthony Rizzo’s hard slide into catcher Elias Diaz stood, resulting in…

Expert Analysis

Chris Carter Runs Out of Baseline

Topics: Baseline, Latest News, Runners

The Yankees-Royals game on Tuesday night ended with a running out of the baseline/DP. With one out and Chris Carter on first base, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a ground ball to second baseman Whit Merrifield, who made progress toward Carter after fielding the ball. The moment Merrifield ran in the direction of Carter, his baseline was…

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