Inside the Hidden Ball Trick
The hidden ball trick in baseball can be a thrilling or humbling experience, depending on your role. For the fielder who executes this sly maneuver, it’s a moment of triumph. For the unsuspecting baserunner, it’s a lesson in embarrassment. Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh explains how to pull off the hidden ball trick, clarifies the…
Elly De La Cruz’s Stolen Base Thwarted by Batter Interference Call
The Reds hosted the Mariners at Great American Park on April 16, 2025. In the bottom of the eighth, Austin Hays was batting with a 0-2 count facing Gabe Speier with Elly De La Cruz on first base. Hays struck out, and De La Cruz, who was stealing on the play was also called out…
Two Right of Way Plays in MLB in 2024
Right of Way Play No. 1 Player Comes out of Dugout and Interferes with Fielder Rule 6.01 (b) rarely surfaces in the game of baseball. But it did in the June 9, 2024 game at Oakland where the A’s hosted the Blue Jays. The rule that is titled “Right of Way,” reads, “The players, coaches,…
Manager Takes Away a Run from His Team
The Reds and Padres played at Petco Park on April 30, 2024 when Padres manager Mike Shildt took away a run from his team, an unlikely scenario since managers do what they can to manufacture runs for their team. But thanks to the multi-layered catcher’s interference rule, in a certain situation managers have the option…
Do or Die Plays at First Base
This classic baseball instruction video comes from back in 2004 with Cincinnati Reds infield coach, Randy Whisler. Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh asks Randy about the most difficult plays at first base.
The Basics of Fielding a Ground Ball
This classic baseball instruction video comes from back in 2004 with Cincinnati Reds infield coach, Randy Whisler. Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh asks Randy about the basics of an infielder fielding a ground ball and the proper footwork.
Spectator Interference: Rule 6.01 (e)
The Yankees and Astros played at Minute Maid on September 3, 2023. In the bottom of the sixth, Yordan Alvarez hit a Tommy Kahnle pitch deep down the left field line in foul territory. Yankees’ left fielder Everson Pereira was in pursuit of the ball but was deprived of the catch when a fan reached…
MLB Rules Questions and Answer September 2023
On-Deck Interference? QUESTION: In the Pirates-Cubs game on September 19, 2023, interference was called on the on-deck batter. Was that the proper call? Can you explain what happened? ANSWER: The Pirates and Cubs played at Wrigley on September 19, 2023 In the bottom of the sixth, Patrick Wisdom was batting with the bases empty and one…
July 2023 Rules Question and Answer #2
Play No. 1 QUESTION: Look at this video from a minor league game and tell me why the outfielder did not get credit for a catch after he carried the ball several feet. Instead, the batter was credited with a home run? Click on the link below. ANSWER: This outfielder wasn’t credited with a catch…
Catchers Blocking the Plate in 2023 MLB Season
Catcher Legally blocks the Plate on Throw from Drawn-In Infielder The Royals hosted the Reds on June 12, 2023. In the top of the 10th, the Reds had TJ Friedl on third base and one out with the score tied 4-4 when Jonathan India hit a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia who threw…