Understanding “Time of the Pitch” in Baseball: How Umpires Determine Base Awards
There are several situations in the game of baseball when umpires determine the award of bases based on the last base touched by the runner’s position at the “Time of the Pitch,” which is defined as the moment the pitcher’s movements commit him to deliver the ball to the batter. A runner who attempts to…
YOU DON’T PICK THE YEAR YOU CONTEND, THE YEAR PICKS YOU
“You don’t pick the year you contend, the year picks you.” George Grande The 2025 Reds are living proof. Their starting pitching wasn’t just good, it was the backbone of the season. The projected starters out of spring training, plus mid-season addition Zack Littell, covered nearly 90% of the starts this season. The pitcher that…
Robles Catch and Carry
The Mariners and Giants met at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025. In the bottom of the ninth with the score tied, 4-4, the Giants had Luis Matos on first base and one out when Patrick Bailey sent a fly ball into the corner deep down the right field line. Mariners’ right fielder Victor Robles…
Infielder Cannot Intentionally Drop a Pop-Up to Set Up a Double Play
Mookie Betts Falls into Netting
The Padres and Dodgers played at Dodgers Stadium on April 12, 2024. Luis Campusano led off the top of the seventh and hit a foul fly ball in shallow left field beyond the third base dugout. Dodgers’ shortstop Mookie Betts made a leaping catch that carried him into the netting. Ruleball Comments A fielder running…
Did Runner Intentionally Interfere to Avert a Double Play?
In the top of the second inning in the Yankees-Angels game played on May 29, 2024 the Yankees had Anthony Rizzo on second and Jose Trevino on first and one out when DJ LeMahieu hit a ground ball to the left side of the infield that struck Rizzo. He was called out for runner interference…
Controversial Tag Play at the Plate
The Cubs beat the Pirates 1-0 at Wrigley on May 18, 2024 in a game that ended in a controversial tag play at the plate in the bottom of the ninth. The play that was unsuccessfully challenged by Pirates manager Derek Shelton focused on the TAG rule, not the home plate collision rule. Here is…
Backswing Interference 2024
The Rays and Brewers played in Milwaukee on April 29, 2024. In the bottom of the ninth the Brewers trailed 1-0. They had Sal Frelick on third, and Willy Adames on second and one out when Jake Bauers swung and missed a 1-2 slider from Jason Adam. Bauer’s backswing struck catcher René Pinto in the…
2024 Pitch Clock Cheat Sheet
Listed below is the Official MLB Pitch Clock Card for the 2024 Season Courtesy of MLB
Pitch Clock Rules: What’s the Effect So Far?
MLB has changed the game for the better with the new rules implemented in 2023. Here is the breakdown with details: click here: 2023 Rule Change Results Summary_Broadcaster Version (5.11.23) copyright Major League Baseball 2023 Rule Change Results Summary_Broadcaster Version (5.11.23)