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…
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…
Rule of the Week: Pitching Change
One of the standard rules in all baseball codes is the pitcher named in the starting batting order must pitch to the first batter or any substitute until that batter completes his “at bat” (reaches first base or is put out) (NFHS 3-1-1, NCAA 5-5b, OBR 5.10f). The rule is excepted if the pitcher is…
Umpire Calls “Time” While Runner Sprints Toward Home
Umpires are allowed to call “Time” under many conditions. But when should an umpire be prohibited from calling “Time?” The top of the ninth inning of the Yankees-Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday turned into one of the most bizarre half innings of the season as multiple rules surfaced on the same play. When…
MLB Batter Leans into Pitch and Wins the Game
A controversial ending gave the New York Mets a win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out. Anthony Bass appeared to strike out Michael Conforto looking but home plate umpire Ron Kulpa ruled the baseball…
Jose Ramirez Avoids Tag on Controversial Baseline Play
Third base umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli involving a running out of the baseline issue in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Twins-Guardians game on May 6, 2023. With no outs and runners on first and third, the Guardians’ Josh Naylor hit a ground ball to Twins third baseman Jose…
Recent protest has many asking, “What is a protest?”
With last month’s Cubs-Nationals game ending in a protest from Joe Maddon, the topic of protesting in baseball came back to life. Although it is rare, with protests only being upheld 15 times in Major League Baseball history, it allows teams an avenue to enforce the Official Rules of Baseball at times when the umpires…
