How should a fielder or a runner react to a potential lodged ball?
The Rangers and Astros played at Minute Maid on July 14, 2024. In the top of the first inning, the Rangers had Marcus Semien on first and no outs when Corey Seager, facing Ronel Blanco, bounced to Jon Singleton. The Astros first baseman threw to shortstop Jeremy Peña to force Semien. But Peña’s throw to…
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,…
Mookie Betts Falls into Netting
The Padres and Dodgers played at Dodgers Stadium on April 12, 2024. Luis Campusano led off the top of the seventh and hit a foul fly ball in shallow left field beyond the third base dugout. Dodgers’ shortstop Mookie Betts made a leaping catch that carried him into the netting. Ruleball Comments A fielder running…
Different Situations Where a Pitcher Delivers a Pitch Following a Balk
Play Follows a Balk The Dodgers hosted the Cardinals on March 30, 2024. In the top of the seventh, the Cards had Matt Carpenter on third, Alec Burleson on second, and Brandon Crawford on first with one out when Victor Scott II flied to Teoscar Hernandez in left. But the out was nullified when Dodgers…
Runner Abandonment 2023
Moore Out for Runner Abandonment The Royals hosted the Mariners on Aug. 17, 2023. In the top of the seventh, Dylan Moore was batting with one out. He hit a looping fly ball to left fielder MJ Melendez who made a running, sliding attempt to catch the ball and dropped it. Moore, thinking the ball…
Batting Out of Turn
I recently received this question from a coach. What should we do if we notice that an opposing player has batted out of turn? That’s a good question and one that is difficult to understand even among the best baseball minds. Let’s explore the Batting Out of Turn Rule 6.03 (b) and apply it for…
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…
2023 Home Plate Collision and Pitcher Declaration
Regarding the Collison at Home Plate rule, the catcher has no restriction when receiving a throw from the pitcher or a drawn-in infielder. The following two plays illustrate those aspects of the rule. Catcher Receives Throw from the Pitcher The Nationals hosted the Guardians on April 15, 2023. In the top of the eighth, the…
Max Scherzer Suspended for 10 Games
Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was suspended for 10 games before he began pitching the fourth inning of the Mets-Dodgers game on April 19, 2023 in Los Angeles. He had pitched three scoreless innings, while allowing one hit. From all accounts and reports, the ejection/suspension was caused by excessive stickiness on his hand and glove. He…
Aaron Boone and Sean Casey on hitting against Kevin Brown
This classic baseball instruction video comes from back in 2003 with Cincinnati Reds players Aaron Boone and Sean Casey. Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh asks each player how they prepare to face Kevin Brown, who was one of the best pitchers in the game at the time with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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