Five Questions about Balks Answered by Rich Marazzi
When a pitcher balks followed by a throw to a base or a pitch to the batter, or pitches a “Ball Four,” there are many questions that need to be answered. This creates a challenge for the players, coaching staff, manager, and broadcasters. Keep in mind, when a pitcher balks, the ball is not always…
Reds’ Baserunning Blunder Causes Chaos Scoring the Play
The Orioles and Reds played at Great American Park on July 30th. In the bottom of the fifth, the Reds had Kyle Farmer on first base and one out when Nick Senzel hit a line drive that caromed off the left field wall into the hands of O’s left fielder Austin Hays. Farmer, thinking the…
Players Use Detached Equipment to Make Plays
Pitchers Throw Glove Play No. 1 On June 29th the Red Sox and Blue Jays played in Toronto. Boston’s Franchy Cordero led off the top of the third inning facing Alek Manoah. With the infield shifted toward second, the third base area was vacant. Cordero laid down a bunt in the direction of third base….
Walk Off Balk!
The Reds were batting in the bottom of the tenth with the score tied 1-1 on July 8, 2022. Tyler Naquin was facing Matt Wisler with runners on first and third and one out when Edwin Moscoso called a balk on Wisler. Mark Kolozsvary, the runner on third, scored the winning run on the play….
Catcher Blocking of the Plate Controversy in 2022
Plate umpire Edwin Moscoso had a busy tenth inning when the Rays and Reds played at Great American Ball Park on July 8th. In the top of tenth, the Rays had Francisco Mejía on third and Josh Lowe on first and no outs with the score tied 1-1 when Yandy Diaz hit a ground ball…
Three Rule Situations from the 2022 MLB Season
No. 1 In the June 4th Mets-Dodgers game there was a pitching substitution issue involving a position player. With the Dodgers trailing 9-4 entering the top of the ninth inning, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts sent outfielder Zach McKinstry to the mound at Dodger Stadium, but Mets manager Buck Showalter said not so fast claiming a…
Rapid Fire Rules Questions with MLB Umpire Greg Gibson
MLB umpire Greg Gibson joins Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh for a series of rapid fire rules questions to help you better understand the rules of baseball in a fun way.
Failing to Return to First Base
The Orioles and A’s played in Oakland on April 21. In the top of the fourth inning Trey Mancini reached first base on an error. Once he got beyond first base, he collected himself, and turning his body toward second base he made a hop step. Walking back to the bag along the first-base line,…