Question No. 1

In the following play, the batter-runner was running on the infield grass on the way to first base. Why wasn’t the batter-runner called out for interference because he was running out of the Runner’s Lane?

This is the play you are referring to. The Cubs and Phils played at Citizen’s Bank on June 9, 2025. In the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 2-2, Otto Kemp, facing Brad Keller, hit a tapper in front of the plate. With a bit of hesitation, the ball was fielded by Cubs catcher Carson Kelly who fired to first baseman Michael Busch. First base umpire Vic Carapazza called Kemp safe on a bang-bang play.

Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell argued with plate umpire Stu Scheurwater that Kemp was running in the grass the last 45-feet between home and first and should have been called out for batter-runner interference.
Counsell was ejected.

Answer

This was an ugly play. There is no doubt that Kemp was running illegally in the grass. The optics are not good for a “no call” in this play, but in my opinion the reason why Kemp wasn’t called out despite his illegal position, he did not impact the outcome of the play.

• If Scheurwater judged that Kemp’s position impeded Busch’s vision, he could have been called out. But it does not appear that Kemp in any way hindered the defensive team in this play.
• The defensive team completed the play but not for an out.
• I hate to suggest something that can cause injury, but it was common back in the day for the catcher to drill the batter-runner for the purpose of influencing the call when the batter-runner was running out of the Runner’s Lane. In the future, it would be wise for Kemp to stay in the Runner’s Lane. A future catcher might not be so polite.
• One might argue that the position of Kemp affected Kelly’s throw to the base. But under rule 5.09 (a) (11), the thrower (Kelly) to the base is not protected from interference in such plays. Only the fielder (Busch) taking the throw is protected. The defensive team cannot argue that the illegal position of the batter-runner created a bad throw.
• On the other hand, if Busch received the throw from the stretch position, the ball would have reached him sooner and safer and Kemp’s illegal position would be irrelevant because he probably would have been out.
• I can’t understand why right-handed first baseman will not take the throw from the stretch position on throws from the bunt area in late developing plays at first base. It is the most dangerous play in the game. The Max Muncy injury is a good example. I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel strong about that.
• The fact is the first base umpire makes that call by sound. If the right-handed first baseman is in a stretch position, the ball will reach him faster and increase the chances for the out call. If the throw travels to the foul side of the first base, the fielder is not going to make the play anyway without risking injury.

Question No. 2

When can a runner/s legally tag up. One part of the rulebook says after a catch another part reads “after a touch.” What is the answer?

Let’s look at the following play.

The Dodgers and Mets played at Citi Field on May 23rd. In the top of the third, the Dodgers had Michael Conforto on second and Shohei Ohtani on first and one out when Mookie Betts lined a shot to right center. Juan Soto and center fielder Tyrone Taylor collided. The ball deflected off the glove of Soto into the bare hand of Taylor. Both runners tagged-up and advanced one base.

Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza challenged that Conforto left second too early. The Replay Official ruled that Conforto properly left second base.

Answer

A runner can make a legal tag-up as soon as the ball is touched by a fielder. A fielder does not have to have secure possession and control of the ball. A legal catch is not required for a legal tag-up.

The base coaches must be aware of this rule and move the runner the moment the fly ball or line drive is touched by a fielder.
In the Definition of Terms regarding a legal catch, the rule reads, “Runners may leave their bases the instant a fielder touches the ball.”
This is contrary to rule 5.09 (c) (1) Comment that reads, “Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when after a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged.”

In the above play Conforto legally headed to third base as soon as the ball was touched by one of the outfielders. He did not have to wait until Taylor showed possession of the ball, or after he made a legal catch.

Crew Chief Marvin Hudson did an excellent job explaining that the runner tagged up on the initial touch and not the catch.
In tag-up situations, a runner is not permitted to take a flying start from a position in back of his base. If he does, he should be called out on appeal.

Question No. 3

Does the first baseman have to have both feet in fair territory while holding the runner on first base?

Answer

Yes. The first baseman must have both feet in fair territory. The catcher is the only position player that can be in foul territory at the start of play. If a first baseman has a foot in foul territory, there is no penalty other than the first baseman shall be instructed by the umpire to have both feet in fair territory. If a player, after so directed by the umpire, blatantly refuses to comply, the player is subject to ejection.

Question No. 4

With a three-ball count and runners on first and second, if the pitcher balks before delivering the pitch because he failed to make a complete stop, can the offensive team take the walk?

Answer

There is no option. The manager of the offensive team does not have the right to decline the balk or the pitch. If the “Ball Four” forces all runners on base to advance one base, the batter is awarded first base on the base-on-balls. This can only happen with a runner on first, or runners on first and second, or runners on first, second, and third. In those situations, look at the “Ball Four” as a base hit and the balk is nullified.

Rich Marazzi

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