Should Infielders Blocking a Base Obstruction Be Reviewable?
Play No. 1 The Yankees and Guardians played a split doubleheader in Cleveland on April 13, 2024. In the top of the third of the first game, the Yankees had Juan Soto on first base and no outs when Aaron Judge flied to Tyler Freeman in short center field. Freeman, seeing Soto was a good…
Red Sox Catcher Nabbed for Detached Equipment Rule Violation
You cannot assume your players know even the most basic rules. Take what happened at Fenway Park on May 1, 2018, when the Red Sox hosted the Royals. In the top of the 10th inning with the score tied 3-3, the Royals had runners on first and second and two outs when Sox catcher Christian…
9.01 Official Scorer (General Rules)
(a) The Office of the Commissioner, with respect to Major League games, and the Minor League President, with respect to Minor League games, shall appoint an Official Scorer for each league championship, post-season or all-star game. The Official Scorer shall observe the game from a position in the press box, in permanent assigned seating as…
NCAA 4-5 Ground Rules
Ground Rules SECTION 5. A local ground rule may be adopted where unusual conditions prevail if agreeable with the visiting team. No ground rule shall conflict with the official playing rules. Where the teams do not agree, ground rules shall be determined by the umpires. It is recommended that ground rules be posted in each…
The Two Types of Obstruction
Beginning 2024, pro rules (OBR, MLB) will no longer allow a fielder who is not in possession of the ball to block a base (1B, 2B, 3B) or impede a runner. It will be enforced similar to the Home Plate Collision Rule. New Rule Explained Here: https://baseballrulesacademy.com/obstruction-enforcement-at-all-bases-in-2024/ Type 1 Obstruction On July 30, 2023…
Controversial Obstruction Call has Manager and Coaches Scratching their Heads
Beginning 2024, pro rules (OBR, MLB) will no longer allow a fielder who is not in possession of the ball to block a base (1B, 2B, 3B) or impede a runner. It will be enforced similar to the Home Plate Collision Rule. New Rule Explained Here: https://baseballrulesacademy.com/obstruction-enforcement-at-all-bases-in-2024/ The Brewers hosted the Marlins on Wednesday…
Tampa Bay Rays Forced to Make a Pitching Change
The Rays and Red Sox played at Fenway on May 16, 2024. In the bottom of the ninth the Rays led the Sox 7-5. The Sox had Rob Refsnyder on third and Rafael Devers on first and two outs. Jason Adam was on the mound for the Rays ready to face Romy Gonzalez. Pitching coach…
2023 Game and Inning Ending Plays
I’m sure you remember Kool and the Gang’s popular hit, “Celebrate Good Times Come On.” Over the years baseball players have prematurely celebrated victories because of their ignorance of the rules. In this column I am covering six game-ending situations that players and coaches should be aware of. Unless noted, the Pro, NCAA, and NFHS rules…
