MLB 2025

Expert Analysis

Controversial Call at Nationals Park: Umpires Rule Intentional Drop in Dodgers-Nationals Game

Topics: Fielding

The Dodgers and Nationals played at Nationals Park on April 8, 2025. In the top of the seventh, Austin Barnes was facing Orlando Ribalta with Andy Pages on first base when Barnes hit a pop fly in the area of the pitcher’s mound. Ribalta dropped the ball then threw to first base to apparently retire…

Expert Analysis

Runners Failing to Retouch Bases in Critical Plays: Rule 5.09 (c) (2)

Topics: Runners

Play No. 1: Runner Makes No Effort to Retouch Base The Cubs and Cardinals played at Busch on June 26, 2025. In the top of the first inning, the Cubs had Ian Happ on first base and one out when Seiya Suzuki, facing Andre Pallante, hit a drive deep to right. Alec Burleson made a…

Expert Analysis

Rare Visual Obstruction Calls in Dodgers vs Mets

Topics: Obstruction

The Dodgers beat the Mets 7-5 in 13 innings on May 23, 2025 when third base umpire Tripp Gibson, gave a clinic on the topic of visual obstruction by making two such calls. The last time I saw such a call made was in 2004. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Pete Alonso was…

Expert Analysis

Batter Runner Interference Costs Guardians vs Orioles

Topics: Batter Runner

The Guardians and the Orioles played at Camden Yards on April 16th. In the top of the eighth, the Guardians had the bases loaded and one out when Ángel Martínez, facing Yennier Canó, hit a tapper back to the mound. Canó flipped the ball underhand to catcher Adley Rutschman for the force. Rutschman then fired…

Expert Analysis

Elly De La Cruz’s Stolen Base Thwarted by Batter Interference Call

Topics: Batter Interference

The Reds hosted the Mariners at Great American Park on April 16, 2025. In the bottom of the eighth, Austin Hays was batting with a 0-2 count facing Gabe Speier with Elly De La Cruz on first base. Hays struck out, and De La Cruz, who was stealing on the play was also called out…