baseball fundamentals

Expert Analysis

Catcher Interference Overturns White Sox Pickoff Against Nationals

Topics: Catcher Interference

The Nationals and White Sox played on April 24, 2026, at Guaranteed Rate Field. In the top of the fifth inning, the Nationals had Nasim Nuñez on third and Luis Garcia Jr. on first with no outs. Drew Millas was facing Erick Fedde with no count. On the first pitch, White Sox catcher Edgar Quero…

Expert Analysis

Runner Interference Call Ends Rays Threat Against Pirates and Paul Skenes

Topics: Runner Interference

The Pirates hosted the Rays on April 18, 2026. In the top of the second inning, the Rays had the bases loaded with no outs when Hunter Feducia, facing Paul Skenes, hit a ground ball to Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Richie Palacios, the runner on first, impeded Horwitz as he attempted to field the…

Expert Analysis

Jac Caglianone Called Out For Interference

Topics: Runner Interference

The Royals and Tigers played at Comerica Park on April 15, 2026. In the top of the seventh, Kansas City had Jac Caglianone on second and Lane Thomas on first with two outs and the score tied 1-1 when Starling Marte hit a ground ball toward third base. Caglianone was called for interference when he…

Expert Analysis

O’Hearn: Retouch of Second Base Not Necessary

Topics: Base

The Pirates hosted the Natioinals on April 14th, 2026. In the bottom of the eighth, Marcell Ozuna was batting with a 1-2 count and Ryan O’Hearn on first base with one out when Ozuna hit a shot toward left-center field. Daylen Lile, the Nationals’ left fielder, raced over and made a great catch. Meanwhile, O’Hearn…

Expert Analysis

Understanding MLB “Time Plays”: Three Real-Game Examples That Every Team Should Know

Topics: Time Play

Play No. 1 The Twins hosted the Cubs on July 9th, 2025. In the bottom of the fourth, Harrison Bader was batting facing Cade Horton. The Twins had Royce Lewis on third and Matt Wallner on first with two outs when Wallner broke for second on a 0-1 pitch. Wallner got into a rundown between…

Expert Analysis

The Baseline Rule: Understanding Runner Restrictions and Umpire Judgments in Baseball

Topics: Baseline

Understanding the baseline rule can pay dividends on both sides of the ball. The Official Baseball Rules refer to the runner’s baseline as his base path under Rule 5.09 (b) (1). But I think there is a distinction between a base path and a baseline. When a runner is in a base path he has…