Jonathan India Beaned in the Head, Reds Warned
The baseball world ducked tragedy on Sunday, April 25, 2021, when the Cardinals hosted the Reds at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Cardinals starter, Jack Flaherty was dotting the edges of the zone all day until he tossed a high hard one that struck Reds rookie infielder, Jonathan India, just above the left earflap. India…
Runner is Hit by a Batted Ball. Safe or Out? It Depends…
There’s a perception that when a runner is hit by a batted ball, he is always out. Not true. Runners are struck by batted balls in a variety ways. If this occurs when the runner is hit in front of an infielder, who is attempting to make a play, he is called out for interference…
MLB Batter Leans into Pitch and Wins the Game
A controversial ending gave the New York Mets a win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out. Anthony Bass appeared to strike out Michael Conforto looking but home plate umpire Ron Kulpa ruled the baseball…
When Will They Learn? Do Not Pass Another Runner!
It is a simple rule but many players, even veteran major leaguers, remain uninformed. Do not pass another runner while running the bases. (5.09(b)(9) (9) He passes a preceding runner before such runner is out; This play happened on Opening Day, April 1, 2021 when the Dodgers played the Colorado Rockies. In the third inning…
The 2021 Minor League Rule Change Experiment
The 2021 Minor League Rule Change Experiment The minor leagues are the final proving ground. Players that adapt to the speed of the game, exhibit the most consistency to perform and outplay their minor league peers head to the big leagues. Most minor leaguers, however, eventually head home with no more than a whiff of…
Batter Drops Bat (no intentional interference), Ball Touches Bat and Stays in Fair Territory
Catcher’s Interference: A Potential Game-Changing Decision for a Manager
Perhaps the most impactful catcher’s interference call of the 2020 season occurred in the deciding game of the White Sox vs. A’s series in Oakland. With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, Tommy La Stella was batting for the A’s with Sean Murphy on first base and two outs when La…
How a Smart Baserunner Can Exploit the Basepath Rules
In the game of baseball, as in all major sports, coaches instruct their players to take what the defense gives them. Conversely, it would be a good idea for defensive players to take what the offense gives them. Let’s look at the following play. The Cardinals and Pirates played two games on Sept. 18 at…
Base Awards on Throws from the Outfield
The Blue Jays hosted the Rays on Aug. 16th when a base award issue emerged. In the top of the fifth, the Rays had Yandy Diaz on first and two outs when Ji-Man Choi hit a shot that went to the right field corner. Jays’ right fielder Teoscar Hernandez fielded the ball and fired it…
Do-Overs in Baseball
Ump Calls Time Before Pitch The most common “Do-Over” is when an umpire calls “Time” just before the pitcher delivers the pitch. Rule 8.03 (b) (2) empowers all umpires on the field to call “Time” for legal cause. An unexpected “Time” call once took away a win and a grand slam home run. In the…