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…
Germán Ejected for Using an Illegal Substance
Yankees right hander Domingo Germán was ejected for using an illegal substance when the Yankees and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre on May 16, 2023. Germán began to take the mound for the bottom of the fourth after three perfect innings to start the ballgame. But he was intercepted by the umpiring crew,…
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…
Pitching Regulations and New Timing Rules
The 2023 Pitch Clock rules for Major League Baseball are as follows: 30-second timer will be used between batters… 20-second timer will be used between pitches with runners on base… 15-second timer will be used between pitches with no runners on base… The Field Timing Coordinator (FTC) will be in charge of the clock for multiple situations. Question:…
Lineup Snafu, Mets Bat Out of Order
Confusion reigned in the first inning yesterday, May 9, 2018, at Great American Ball Park, where the Mets batted out of order in their game against the Reds. Before we look at what happened, a fundamental point of the rule is, when a batter bats out of order and it’s appealed, the batter who failed to bat…