The Pirates hosted the Natioinals on April 14th, 2026. In the bottom of the eighth, Marcell Ozuna was batting with a 1-2 count and Ryan O’Hearn on first base with one out when Ozuna hit a shot toward left-center field. Daylen Lile, the Nationals’ left fielder, raced over and made a great catch.

Meanwhile, O’Hearn had rounded second and returned to first base. The Nats appealed that O’Hearn never retouched second on his return to first base.

There was a Crew Chief review, and it was ruled that because O’Hearn never touched second base, he was not required to retouch it on his return.

Ruleball Comments

• I think the umpires got the play right, but the explanation was questionable. O’Hearn wasn’t safe because he didn’t touch the base the first time, as stated by the Crew Chief. He was safe because he never passed the base with both feet en route to third. Maybe we’re arguing semantics here.
• If O’Hearn had both feet past the edge of second base, he would have been required to retouch second on his return to first base.
• In such plays, the infielders must become umpires themselves and observe runner retouch situations.

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