MLB Rules Questions and Answer September 2023
On-Deck Interference? QUESTION: In the Pirates-Cubs game on September 19, 2023, interference was called on the on-deck batter. Was that the proper call? Can you explain what happened? ANSWER: The Pirates and Cubs played at Wrigley on September 19, 2023 In the bottom of the sixth, Patrick Wisdom was batting with the bases empty and one…
Hit-By-Pitch Strikeout
The Phils and Cubs played at Wrigley on September 28, 2022. Nico Hoerner led off the bottom of the sixth facing Aaron Nola. With a 2-2 count, he swung at a pitch and the ball rolled slowly between home and third. It was fielded by Nola who didn’t have a play. There was a question…
Catcher’s Interference: Some Batters Will Do Anything to Get On Base
The Golden Age of Catcher’s Interference It’s safe to say that we are in the golden age of catcher’s interference. In the last three full seasons excluding the truncated 2020 shortened 60-game campaign, the number of catcher’s interference calls has increased each year. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there were 61 violations in 2019;…
Hit By Pitch, Not So Simple
When a batter is hit by a pitch it is usually an easy call for the home plate umpire; dead ball, batter awarded first base and all runners who are forced advance one base. But what happens if the batter is not in the batter’s box? Or attempts to swing or offers to bunt the…
2024 MLB Replay Review Regulations
Listed below are the official MLB Replay Review Regulations for the 2024 Season. Courtesy of MLB Replay Review Regulations On-Field Regulation 2-12 I. Overview Video replay review in Major League Baseball (hereafter, “Replay Review”) is designed to provide timely review of certain disputed calls in all Championship Season, All-Star and Post- Season games played in…
5.05 When the Batter Becomes a Runner
(a) The batter becomes a runner when: (1) He hits a fair ball; Rule 5.05(a) Comment: If the batter hits a pitch that touches the ground first, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight. (2) The third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1)…
Can a batter hit a pitched ball that has bounced in the dirt?
If a pitcher bounces the ball in the dirt, can a batter hit the pitch legally? Yes. This is treated like any other pitch. The ball can be batted and if the batter is touched by the bounced pitch, he is awarded first base on a hit by pitch. But a pitch that bounces on…
2022 Rules Questions with Rich Marazzi
Restricted Baseline Running Home Question: When a runner is advancing home and avoiding a tag by a catcher, does the runner have a restricted baseline? Answer: Yes. Whenever a runner is avoiding a tag, or is in a rundown, he has a restricted baseline. It is a straight line to the base he is going to, and…
NCAA 7-11 When Batter or Batter-Runner Is Out
When Batter or Batter-Runner Is Out SECTION 11. A batter is out when: a. On appeal by the opposing team, the individual fails to bat in the proper turn and another batter completes a time at bat in that place; 1) The proper batter may replace the improper batter before the batter becomes a runner…
