Lance Barksdale

Expert Analysis

Catcher Interference Overturns White Sox Pickoff Against Nationals

Topics: Catcher Interference

The Nationals and White Sox played on April 24, 2026, at Guaranteed Rate Field. In the top of the fifth inning, the Nationals had Nasim Nuñez on third and Luis Garcia Jr. on first with no outs. Drew Millas was facing Erick Fedde with no count. On the first pitch, White Sox catcher Edgar Quero…

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

2024 Catcher’s Interference on the Rise

Topics: Catcher Interference

Catcher’s Interference: 5.05 (b) (3); 6.01 (c) Catcher’s interference has increased exponentially over the years. In 2002 there were 9 such calls the entire season. In 2022 there were 74 violations and in 2023 there were 97. According to MLB, in 2023 there were 64 challenges following a “no interference” call by the plate umpire…

Expert Analysis

Pitchers Ejected Without Warning

Topics: Expert Analysis

If the umpires determine that a pitcher is intentionally throwing at a batter, they can eject a pitcher without warning, or they can toss both the manager and the pitcher per rule 6.02 (a) (9) following crew consultation. This past week two pitchers were ejected in such fashion. The first one occurred in the July…

Expert Analysis

Ball gets lodged in outfield wall. What happens now?

Topics: Base Awards, Dead Ball Area, Expert Analysis, Lodged Ball, Official Baseball Rules, Replay Review

Lodged Baseballs Per rule 5.05 (a) (7), a ball is considered lodged if, in the judgment of the umpire, the natural trajectory of the flight of the ball is interrupted long enough to affect further play. A batted ball that sticks in a fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines located on the playing field should be…