QUESTION #1

Minor League game…There’s a runner on third. Following the pitch to the batter the runner walked back toward third base but never touched the base. For some reason, he went around the base toward left field and never retouched third base as he retook his lead. Is this a violation? Can the defensive team appeal this?

ANSWER: Because the runner made no intent to return to his previous base (second base), he does not have to retouch. With that said, I’ve never seen a runner do what the runner on third base did. The third base coach must be alert to this and have the runner get to the base and make a retouch in case there is a misinterpretation of the rule.

QUESTION #2

When making a continuous action appeal, if the runner who committed the violation is on the bases, can he simply be tagged, or do you have to throw to the base where the violation occurred?

ANSWER: If the runner who committed the violation is on the bases, he can be tagged rather than throwing to the base where the violation occurred. Making a direct tag of the runner, is the most practical way to make the appeal. When possible, never stop continuous action by getting the ball to the pitcher. When the pitcher is involved in the appeal, the defensive team loses the right to appeal if the pitcher balks while making the appeal, errs by throwing the ball into dead ball territory or makes a play on a runner.

QUESTION #3

At what point can a base runner decide to run (advance) on a pop fly when the Infield Fly rule is called?

ANSWER: When the IFR is enforced, a runner/s never has to advance whether or not the ball is caught. However, a runner can advance anytime he wants, at his own risk, just like any other pop fly.  He can take off on the crack of the bat or before. If the ball is caught, he can be doubled up or called out on appeal if he hasn’t tagged-up.

If the pop fly is not caught, it is treated like any other uncaught fly ball. The ball remains alive and in play and the runner would not be required to tag-up. He can hold his base because the force is removed by virtue of the batter being called out or he can attempt to advance at any time. Because the force is removed if there is a play on the runner, the runner must be tagged.

QUESTION #4

If a pitcher switches positions with a fielder (example: a right fielder comes to the mound to pitch to finish an inning, and the pitcher goes to right field). Is the DH lost for the rest of the game? Also, if the right fielder throws to one batter to finish the inning, and then stays in and comes back the next inning with the intention of  switching back to right field and the pitcher going back to the mound, does the right fielder have to throw to two more hitters before returning to right field?

ANSWER: Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a position on defense, this terminates the DH role for that team the remainder of the game. If the right fielder throws to one batter and gets the final out of the inning, the right fielder is not required to return as the pitcher. If he does, he must face two batters to meet the three-batter requirement.

QUESTION #5

If the pitching coach goes to the mound, then goes back to dugout and the opposing team then pinch- hits before the next pitch is thrown, can the manager make a pitching change?

ANSWER: Yes. Rule 5.10 (l) (3) (4) reads, “The manager or coach is prohibited from making a second visit to the mound while the same batter is at bat, but if a pinch-hitter is substituted for this batter, the manager or coach may make a second visit to the mound, but must remove the pitcher from the game.”

QUESTION #6

There are runners on first and third and one out. The ball is hit to the pitcher and a rundown starts between home and third with the runner who was on third base.  R3, who is in the rundown, interferes with a defensive player by intentionally throwing his arms at the ball. At the time of the interference, the runner on first (R1) was already at third and the batter had second base made. Where do the runners get placed? Again, the interference happened after the runners already reached second and third.

ANSWER: Because the interference occurred in a rundown, this creates an exception in the placement of runners. In this play, R3 who is in a rundown between home and third is considered to still occupy the lesser base (third base) that the rundown is occurring between. If a following runner (R1) has advanced to that base, and interference occurs, R1 must return to his previous base which was second base. So, when the smoke clears, R3 would be out, R1 would be placed on second base and the batter-runner would be placed on first base.

QUESTION #7

Runners on first and third and no outs. On the pitch, the runner from first breaks and attempts to steal second base. The runner on third also takes off for home. The catcher throws  to second and obstruction is called on the middle infielder receiving the throw. The runner would have been out if not for the obstruction call. What happens to the runner on third base?

Would the answer be different if there were 2 outs when this occurred?

ANSWER: When Type 1 obstruction is called the ball is dead and the umpires are allowed to place the runners to the base they would have reached in their judgment had there been no obstruction. So, in the play you sent the umpires would have to decide whether or not the runner on third would have scored if there had been no obstruction.

See rule 6.01 (h) (1). 

The answer would be the same if there were two outs.BTW- when the catcher is called for illegally blocking the plate, it is a form of Type 1 obstruction. Any other runners on base are allowed to advance to the base they would have made had there been no obstruction. So, as a coaching staff keep your eyes on the trail runners when there is a play at the plate in case the catcher violates the home plate collision rule.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.