The Blue Jays and Guardians played at Progressive Field on June 23, 2024. In the top of the first inning with the Jays leading 2-0, Justin Turner stole second base with a little help from his batting helmet. Turner attempted to advance to second base with George Springer at bat when Triston McKenzie made a wild pitch that bounced in the dirt that caromed off catcher David Fry. The Guardians catcher threw down to second base in an attempt to retire Turner.

While diving head-first into second, Turner lost his batting helmet which shielded Daniel Schneemann’s tag. Schneemann tagged the loose helmet while Turner made a swim move to second base. Second base umpire Charlie Ramos called Turner out.

Jays manager John Schneider challenged the call. The Replay Official overturned the call because tagging the detached helmet is not a legal tag.

Ruleball Comments

1. The Replay Official properly overturned the out call.
2. The report from NYC said, “After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official definitively determined that the fielder failed to tag the runner prior to the runner touching second base. Per The Official Baseball Rules, to touch a player during a tag is to touch any part of his body, or any uniform or equipment worn by him. Equipment shall be considered worn by a player if it is in contact with its intended place on his person. The call is OVERTURNED, the runner is safe.”
3. Turner’s loose batting helmet was no longer in its intended place which was his head.
4. If Turner was judged to intentionally use his helmet to block the tag, he would be called out for interference.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.