Passing The Runner: Juan Soto Passes Brandon Nimmo
The White Sox and Mets played at Citi Field on May 27, 2025. In the bottom of the first inning, the Mets had Brandon Nimmo on first base and no outs when Juan Soto, facing Jonathan Cannon, drove a ball deep to Michael A. Taylor in right center. Nimmo was off and running. It wasn’t…
Controversial Calls and Rule Interpretations in 2025
Play No. 1 The Twins and A’s played at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on June 3, 2025. In the top of the sixth inning, Brooks Lee, facing Jacob Lopez, hit a bouncer toward first base with two outs. A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom attempted to field the ball, he slipped and the ball deflected…
Batter-Runner Interference Results in Ejection
The Marlins and Rays played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on June 6, 2025 in front of 8,448 fans. In the top of the third, Xavier Edwards was batting facing the Rays’ Zack Littell with Dane Myers on second and no outs trailing, 1-0. Edwards bunted the ball to the third base side…
Infield Fly Rule Confusion
Tampa and Boston played at Fenway on June 9, 2025. In the top of the fourth, the Rays had Yandy Díaz on second base and Jonathan Aranda on first with no outs when Junior Caminero, batting against Brayan Bello, hit a towering fly on the third base side of home plate. Plate umpire Junior Valentine…
Visual Obstruction Twice in the Same Game!
In a wild baseball game on May 23, 2025 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, a rare visual obstruction call occurred twice! Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez’s 92 mph throw caught Mets runner Starling Marte tagging up, but the third base umpire called obstruction on fielder Max Muncy for blocking Marte’s view….
Should MLB Examine and Update Catch Rule?
In a recent play, Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tyler Callihan demonstrates remarkable effort, catching a ball in fair territory before crashing into the wall and falling to the ground, causing the ball to dislodge from his glove. Per Major League Baseball’s catch rule, a fielder must hold the ball long enough to prove complete control,…
Infielder Cannot Intentionally Drop a Pop-Up
In a play involving a line drive caught by the shortstop, the fielder intentionally drops the ball and flips it to the second baseman to attempt a double play. The umpire, recognizing the deliberate drop, makes an immediate judgment call. The correct ruling returns the runner from first base to first and declares the batter-runner…
Three Batter Minimum Violation and a Crazy Minor League Inning
In a wild minor league inning, we see a three-batter minimum violation, a bunt wrongly called a hit-by-pitch, a pitch-com malfunction, and a walk-off catcher’s interference where the offense opts for the play’s outcome over the interference call. Cincinnati Reds announcer Chris Welsh breaks down the inning in this video.
The Hidden Ball Trick
This is the most common trick in the game of baseball. It has been around longer than peanuts, popcorn, and Cracker Jack. Ruleball Comments The hidden ball trick often occurs when the ball comes in from the outfield and the infielder who receives the throw fakes a throw to the pitcher and keeps the ball…
