Jansen Called for Three Pitch Timer Violations in the Same Inning
Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was called for three pitch timer violations by plate umpire Derek Thomas in Boston on May 13, 2023 when the Red Sox fell to the Cardinals, 4-3. Jansen fell victim to the Max Scherzer rule that was born in a spring training game. With the BoSox holding a 3-1 lead…
Batters Can No Longer Try to Induce Pitch Timer Violation
In my last report I covered the situation where Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen committed three Pitch Timer violations in the same inning in the May 13, 2023 game against the Cardinals. MLB issued a memo that exonerated Jansen based on the actions of the batter, Willson Contreras. Following is the memo in part. In…
What Happens When Two Runners are on the Same Base?
On May 20, 2023 the Orioles and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Jays had Brandon Belt on third and Matt Chapman on second with one out when Danny Jansen hit a bouncer to O’s pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. Rodriguez ran at Belt who was heading home….
Judge Makes Catch and Runs Through Outfield Fence
The Yankees and Dodgers played at Dodger Stadium on June 3, 2023. The Dodgers had Max Muncy on first base and no outs in the eighth inning when J.D. Martinez hit a drive to right field. Aaron Judge tracked back and eventually crashed through a fence ending up in the Yankees bullpen to rob Martinez…
Runner and Umpire Collide
The Padres hosted the Cubs on June 4, 2023. In the bottom of the third inning the Padres had Fernando Tatis Jr. on second base and Jake Cronenworth on first and two outs when Ha-Seong-Kim hit a ground ball to Dansby Swanson. The Cubs shortstop tossed to second baseman Nico Hoerner for the inning-ending force…
Tatis Jr. Apparently Fails to Retouch First Base
The Padres and Rockies played at Coors Field on June 11, 2023. In the top of the third inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. was on first base when Rockies’ pitcher Dinelson Lamet attempted to pick him off. The throw got by first baseman Elehuris Montero. Tatis went back to the base standing, and it appeared that…
McCutchen Creates Time Play
The A’s and Pirates played at PNC Park on June 5, 2023 when the Bucs’ Andrew McCutchen played smart Ruleball to help the Pirates win the game. Here’s what happened. In the bottom of the sixth, the Pirates had Austin Hedges on third, McCutchen on second, and Bryan Reynolds on first and one out when…
Catchers Blocking the Plate in 2023 MLB Season
Catcher Legally blocks the Plate on Throw from Drawn-In Infielder The Royals hosted the Reds on June 12, 2023. In the top of the 10th, the Reds had TJ Friedl on third base and one out with the score tied 4-4 when Jonathan India hit a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia who threw…
Type 2 Obstruction in 2023 MiLB Game
In a recent Triple-A minor league game the batter-runner was obstructed by the first baseman who was fielding an errant throw from third base. As the first baseman went after the ball, he made contact with the batter- runner who was attempting to go to second. The batter-runner jogged to second, then turned it on…
Catcher Illegal Positioning
The Rangers and White Sox played at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 20, 2023. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Chicago had Elvis Andrus on second base and two outs when Zach Remillard hit safely to left field. Rangers’ left fielder Travis Jankowski fired home and Andrus was called out by plate umpire D.J….
