2022 Rules Questions: September Edition
Runner Obstructed During Rundown Question: See the above attachment before reading this play. In this situation, the runner going from second to third is obstructed during the rundown. I know this is a Type 1 obstruction because there was a play being directly made on the runner. The umpires awarded the obstructed runner third base…
Runner Fails to Retouch Base
The Yankees and Red Sox played at Fenway on September 13, 2022. In the top of the second, the Yankees had Oswaldo Cabrera on first base and one out when Miguel Andújar, facing Nick Pivetta, hit a fly ball to Alex Verdugo in right field. Cabrera, who was off with the pitch, went beyond second…
Legal Catch Controversies from 2022 MLB Season
The official definition of the “Catch” rule that is referenced in this report: A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform…
Protective Netting Issues
The Guardians and Mariners played at T-Mobile Park on August 28, 2022. In the bottom of the fifth, the M’s had runners on first and third with two outs when Dylan Moore hit a pop fly in foul territory near the netting on the outfield side of the first base dugout. Guardians’ first baseman Owen…
Bob Melvin Ejected After Call Overturned to Illegally Blocking the Plate
The Nationals hosted the Padres on Aug. 13, 2022. In the bottom of seventh with the score tied 3-3, the Nats had Cesar Hernandez on second base and one out when Victor Robles hit safely to right field. Juan Soto fired to catcher Austin Nola and plate umpire Paul Emmel called Hernandez out. Nats’ skipper…
Collisions at Home Plate – Rule 6.01 (i)
Play No. 1 The Blue Jays and Twins met at Target Field on Aug. 7, 2022. In the top of the tenth, with the score tied 2-2, the Jays had Whit Merrifield on third base and one out when Cavan Biggio hit a fly ball to left fielder Tim Beckham who threw home to catcher…
MLB Umpires Utilizing Rule 8.02 (c)
The D’backs and Braves played at Truist Park on July 31, 2022. In the bottom of the second, the Braves had Austin Riley on second and Travis d’Arnaud on first with one out when William Contreras hit a drive to left field. Jake McCarthy, the D’backs’ left fielder, “snared” the ball and carried it a…
