Umpire Interference
There are two types of umpire interference: (1) When a field umpire (the second base umpire) is positioned in front of the infielders and is struck by a batted ball that is not deflected off another fielder, and (2) when the plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw in an attempt to retire a runner….
2023 Batter, Catcher and Shift Regulations
The Batter and Timing Regulations Question: What is defined as being alert to the pitcher with 8 seconds remaining on the clock? Answer: The batter must have both feet in the batter’s box, and facing the pitcher. He must have his eye on the pitcher and be in a position to quickly assess a hitting stance….
Runner’s Lane Violations All Over MLB
Bellinger Called Out The Dodgers and Padres played in San Diego on Thursday night. Cody Bellinger led off the top of the fourth for the Dodgers in a scoreless game and hit a dribbler in front of the plate. The ball was fielded by catcher Austin Hedges who fired wide of first base and…
Broadcasters Call Machado Play “Bush League.” But is it Interference?
Diamondback Announcers did not hold back on their opinion of Manny Machado and his controversial play in San Diego versus the Padres, Tuesday, April 2, 2019. “It’s such an unnecessary thing, to say the least” Brenly said. “Obviously, it could create a potential injury. You drop a bat next to a guy who’s looking up…
Deflected Balls that Remain in Play (Part 3)
Deflected Batted Ball Strikes the Runner Deflections make for knotty problems since they usually lead to right of way arguments. Whenever a batted ball is deflected off the pitcher or another infielder into the path of the runner, one of three things can happen: The ball can remain alive and in play The runner can…
Umpire Interference
The Twins and Padres played at Petco on July 30, 2022 when second base umpire Jerry Lane was called for umpire interference. In the bottom of the seventh, the Padres had CJ Abrams on second and one out when Jurickson Profar hit a shot that struck Lane who was positioned in front of the defense…
Catcher’s Interference: A Potential Game-Changing Decision for a Manager
Perhaps the most impactful catcher’s interference call of the 2020 season occurred in the deciding game of the White Sox vs. A’s series in Oakland. With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, Tommy La Stella was batting for the A’s with Sean Murphy on first base and two outs when La…
Coach Interference
Rule 6.01 (a) (8) governs base coach interference. It reads, “It is interference by a runner when in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in returning to or leaving third base or first base.” This rule that seldom…
Runner’s Lane Interference at 2022 College World Series Changes Everything
In the final game of the 2022 College World Series between Ole Miss and Oklahoma, a video replay enforced the penalty for the violation of runner’s lane interference. With such a significant game on the line, it was touted as controversial, but applying the rule from the NCAA it is actually a very easy call….
Follow Through Interference
Pro rules have nary a reference to follow through interference. Instead, it is referred to as “back swing” interference. The golfing world knows the difference. Follow through vs. back swing The follow through is the continuing movement of the bat after the ball is struck or missed – the completion of the swinging motion. The…