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…
Javier Baez Confuses Pirates When He Runs From 1B to Home
Rule 5.08 (a) says that no run can score when the batter-runner makes the third out before he touches first base, or if the inning ends in a force. The Pirates hosted the Cubs on Thursday afternoon. In the top of the third, Javier Baez was batting with Willson Contreras on second base and two…
Play Ruled Dead Following Backswing Interference
The Phils and Nationals played at Nationals Park on September 30, 2022. In the bottom of the seventh, the Nationals had Luis Garcia on second and two outs. Victor Robles was batting with a 2-1 count facing Zach Eflin. Robles swung through the pitch and made contact with Phils catcher J.T. Realmuto on his follow-through…
Batter Interferes With Catcher’s Throw – Two MLB Examples
Two Batter Interference plays that occurred six days apart are worth a look. Play Number 1 On August 31, 2017, the Astros hosted the Rangers at Tropicana Field in Florida because of Hurricane Harvey. In the bottom of the first, the Astros had George Springer on first base and no outs when Alex Bregman swung…
Three Rule Situations from the 2022 MLB Season
No. 1 In the June 4th Mets-Dodgers game there was a pitching substitution issue involving a position player. With the Dodgers trailing 9-4 entering the top of the ninth inning, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts sent outfielder Zach McKinstry to the mound at Dodger Stadium, but Mets manager Buck Showalter said not so fast claiming a…
