Deflected Batted Ball Strikes the Runner Deflections make for knotty problems since they usually lead to right of way arguments. Whenever a batted ball is deflected off the pitcher or another infielder into the path of the runner, one of three things can happen: The ball can remain alive and in play The runner can […]
Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia protested the Angels 7-5 loss to the Royals on Wednesday night in Kansas City. The protest that was denied on Thursday centered around rule 5.09 (a) (11), which covers batter-runner interference the last 45-feet between home and first base. The rule reads: A batter is out when in running the last […]
I’m aware of the reasons that a first baseman is in a straddle position when receiving throws from the pitcher or catcher in the bunt area since it gives him greater flexibility. But in my opinion, in late developing plays on the fair side of the runner’s box, the first baseman should make himself long by extending his glove as far as possible into fair territory when receiving throws from the pitcher or catcher from the bunt area for the following reasons:
In the top of the first inning, the Royals’ Whit Merrifield attempted to steal second base with Lorenzo Cain at bat. At almost the time of pitcher Josh Tomlin’s release, Indians’ catcher Chris Gimenez jumped up, took off his mask, and stepped on the plate to receive the throw. Gimenez caught the pitch standing on the plate and threw to second, but Whit was safe. Plate umpire Sam Holbrook made no interference call on Gimenez and Cain remained at bat.
The Royals’ staff was concerned about a catcher’s balk and the possibility of catcher’s interference. This is my take.
MLB’s Playing Rules Committee allows for the “Neighborhood Play” at second base to protect middle infielders from injury. Yet, the reckless sliding rules in place allow the runner on force plays to slide into the base on a variety of angles and head hunt the fielder making the play. As long as a runner is […]
The two different obstruction rules (Type A and Type B) came to life this past week. First a brief review of the obstruction rule: Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. Contact […]
As stated, spectator interference creates a dead ball and empowers umpires to place the batter and runners at any base they judge they would have reached had there been no interference. In the April 16 Royals/Twins game at Target Field, Kennys Vargas singled to the right fielder corner in the bottom of the seventh inning […]