The White Sox and D-backs played at Chase Field on April 23, 2026. Chicago was batting in the top of the third with the bases loaded and one out. Munetaka Murakami was on third, Miguel Vargas was on second, and Colson Montgomery was on first when Everson Pereira hit a low liner to Geraldo Perdomo. The D-backs shortstop dropped the ball. Umpire Doug Eddings made no call. With Vargas frozen, Perdomo tagged him and then tagged the base to force Montgomery for an inning-ending double play.

Ruleball Comments

• In my opinion, the umpire in such plays should protect the runners by calling “Time.” The batter should be ruled out under Rule 5.09(a)(12), with all other runners returning to their original bases.
• Rule 5.09(a)(12) reads, “A batter is out if an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.”
• The rule is a close cousin to the Infield Fly Rule. Its purpose is to protect the runners from deceitful acts on the part of the defensive team to turn a double play or triple play.
• Of course, intent is always subjective, but I think most umpires would have killed the above play and protected the runners. In this situation, I think umpires should err on the side of caution and common sense.
• I thought the White Sox had a good argument here.
• Chances are the call would not have been reversed, but asking for a crew consultation would have been an option.
• Defensively, credit Perdomo for keeping the force alive by first tagging Vargas before tagging the base to retire Montgomery. In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder allows the ball to drop untouched to the ground, except when the Infield Fly Rule applies.
• Fortunately, the Sox won 4-1, so the Perdomo double play did not affect the outcome of the game.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and Chicago Sports Network