baseball umpiring

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

Controversial Ball Boy Interference Plays Leave MLB Fans Questioning Rule 6.01(d)

Topics: Interference

Ball Boy Interference No. 1 The D-backs hosted the Blue Jays on April 17, 2026. In the top of the seventh, Andrés Giménez, facing Michael Soroka, hit a shot down the right-field line. Giménez circled the bases and was called out at third by umpire Alex MacKay. But the umpires ruled that the ball boy…

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…

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Fielder Drops Soft Liner Gets Double Play

Topics: tag attempt

The White Sox and D-backs played at Chase Field on April 23, 2026. Chicago was batting in the top of the third with the bases loaded and one out. Munetaka Murakami was on third, Miguel Vargas was on second, and Colson Montgomery was on first when Everson Pereira hit a low liner to Geraldo Perdomo….

Expert Analysis

The Bizarre Walk-Off That Was Almost Ruined by a Dugout Celebration

Topics: Rules Controversy

In a Pacific Coast League game between Triple-A Reno (D-backs) and Albuquerque (Rockies) on May 21, 2025, at Greater Nevada Field, chaos ensued when the home team celebrated a bit prematurely. Here’s how the play was basically reported: With Reno trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning and one out, Connor Kaiser delivered…

Expert Analysis

Was Thomas Saggese Obstructed? Breaking Down the Cardinals–Pirates Collision and MLB’s Type 2 Obstruction Rule

Topics: Obstruction

The Cardinals and Pirates played at PNC on April 9, 2025. In the top of the eighth, the Cards had Thomas Saggese on second base and Masyn Winn on first and two outs when Willson Contreras hit a fly ball in the area of home plate. Pirates’ catcher Joey Bart and first baseman Endy Rodríguez…

Expert Analysis

Understanding Interference and Obstruction: Umpire Guidelines and Common Misinterpretations

Topics: Obstruction

Interference and obstruction calls are for the most part judgment calls. But there are guidelines that umpires must adhere to when executing these rules. A properly trained umpire should be able to reference the appropriate guidelines when ruling interference and obstruction. And coaches and managers on all levels should be prepared to argue the proper…