Batter Loses Bat
The Mariners hosted the Yankees on September 18, 2024 at T-Mobile Park. In the bottom of the tenth, the Yanks led 2-1. Randy Arozarena was batting with Julio Rodriguez on third and Cal Raleigh on first and no outs. Arozarena, facing Ian Hamilton, struck out. In doing so, he lost control of his bat that…
September 2024 Baseball Rules Question and Answer
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…
Batter Does Not Touch First Base on Intentional Walk
The Cubs and Marlins played at loanDepot Park on August 25, 2024. In the bottom of the eighth, Jesús Sánchez was intentionally walked by Cubs pitcher Julian Merriweather. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker decided to pinch-run for Sánchez with Cristian Pache. Sanchez trotted toward first base but never touched the base when he became aware that…
August 2024 MLB Rules Question and Answer
Play #1 QUESTION: It’s possible that Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen will appear in the box scores for opposing teams in the same game on Monday August 26, 2024 when Boston and Toronto meet at Fenway Park. How can a player play for both teams in the same game? And is this the first time…
How the Batter’s Actions Affects the Calling of a Balk
Did the batter’s actions in the following play cause the pitcher to balk? If so, shouldn’t the balk be nullified? The Guardians and Twins played a double header at Target Field on Aug. 9, 2024. In the seventh inning of the second game, plate ump Jim Wolf called a balk on Guardians pitcher Tim Herrin…
Runner Fails to Retouch Second Base: The Force is Reinstated
The Brewers hosted the Dodgers on Aug. 14, 2024 at American Family Field. In the bottom of the fourth, Brice Turang was at bat facing Anthony Banda with Joey Ortiz on first base and one out. Turang hit a fair ball down the left field line that barely touched the painted foul line. Ortiz, not…
When Runner Interference Changes to Obstruction
The Nationals and Orioles played at Camden Yards on Aug. 14, 2024. In the bottom of the seventh, Ryan O’Hearn was batting facing Jacob Barnes with Jackson Holliday on first and Coby Mayo on second and one out. O’Hearn hit a shot that deflected off the thigh of Barnes. The ball rolled to the foul…
Aaron Judge Hit by Batted Ball
Is a runner always out when struck by a batted ball? The answer is “no.” The Yankees and White Sox played at Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 13, 2024. In the top of the seventh, Aaron Judge was on first base and one out when a sizzling grounder off the bat of Austin Wells made…
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…
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…
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