Rule 4 – Section 1 – STARTING A GAME
4-1-1 The home coach shall decide whether the grounds and other conditions are suitable for starting the game. After the game starts, the umpires are sole judges as to whether conditions are fit for play and as to whether or not conditions are suitable for starting the second game of a scheduled double-header (two games between…
4.00 Starting and Ending the Game
4.01 – The umpires shall proceed directly to home plate where they shall be met by the managers of the opposing teams, just preceding the established time to begin the game. In sequence- (a) The home team manager shall give the batting order in duplicate to the Umpire-in-Chief; (b) Next, the visiting manager shall give…
2024 One Base Beyond Rule
The Rays and Yankees played in New York on July 19, 2024 when a relatively obscure rule almost came alive. In the bottom of the fourth, Juan Soto, batting with the bases empty and two outs, facing Zach Eflin, doubled to deep left field. Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena fumbled the ball as it caromed…
Two Runner Interference Plays in 2024
Runner Interference Rule with Infield Fly Rule For the third time this season, there was a runner interference call in the middle of an Infield Fly rule play. The Mariners and Red Sox played at Fenway on July 31, 2024. With one out and runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh…
Infield Fly Rule Confusion
Tampa and Boston played at Fenway on June 9, 2025. In the top of the fourth, the Rays had Yandy Díaz on second base and Jonathan Aranda on first with no outs when Junior Caminero, batting against Brayan Bello, hit a towering fly on the third base side of home plate. Plate umpire Junior Valentine…
Batter-Runner Interference Results in Ejection
The Marlins and Rays played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on June 6, 2025 in front of 8,448 fans. In the top of the third, Xavier Edwards was batting facing the Rays’ Zack Littell with Dane Myers on second and no outs trailing, 1-0. Edwards bunted the ball to the third base side…
Catcher’s Interference Rule That Creates A Balk
The Rays hosted the Marlins on July 30, 2024. In the bottom of the seventh, Jose Siri was at bat facing Austin Kitchen with José Cabellero on third base. Cabellero broke for the plate in an attempt to steal the dish. Marlins catcher Nick Fortes jumped out in front the plate. Plate ump Tripp Gibson called…
Runner Appeal 2024
The Padres and Rockies played at Petco on Aug. 4, 2024. In the top of the third, Ezequiel Tovar was batting facing Matt Waldron with Aaron Schunk on first base. Tovar hit a pop fly that was caught in foul territory by first baseman Luis Arraez. Schunk was running with the pitch. He was deked…
Smart Baserunning with Baseline Rule
The O’s and Guardians played at Progressive Field on Aug. 2, 2024. In the bottom of the sixth the Guardians scored two runs on a sac/fly in their 8-4 win. The Guardians had the bases loaded and one out. Brayan Rocchio was on third, Austin Hedges was on second and Steven Kwan was on first…
