MLB Replay

Expert Analysis

You Make the Call!

Topics: Expert Analysis

There are three different scenarios in this report and I am challenging you to make the call for each one which may not necessarily concur with my opinion. Play No. 1 The Brewers and Mets played at Citi Field on June 28, 2023. In the top of the eighth, the Brewers had runners on first…

Expert Analysis

Catcher Overturned for Illegally Blocking the Plate

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Giants hosted the Padres on June 21, 2023. In the bottom of the fifth, Yu Darvish gave up a two-out single to Joc Pederson. Padres’ right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. fired home to apparently nail Blake Sabol for third out of the inning after plate umpire Quinn Wolcott called Sabol out. But the Giants…

Expert Analysis

Catcher Illegal Positioning

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Rangers and White Sox played at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 20, 2023. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Chicago had Elvis Andrus on second base and two outs when Zach Remillard hit safely to left field. Rangers’ left fielder Travis Jankowski fired home and Andrus was called out by plate  umpire D.J….

Expert Analysis

Catchers Blocking the Plate in 2023 MLB Season

Topics: Expert Analysis

Catcher Legally blocks the Plate on Throw from Drawn-In Infielder The Royals hosted the Reds on June 12, 2023. In the top of the 10th, the Reds had TJ Friedl on third base and one out with the score tied 4-4 when Jonathan India hit a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia who threw…

Expert Analysis

Foul Ball Changed to Fair

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Yankees and Reds played at Great American Ball Park on May 21, 2023. In the bottom of the first, the Reds had Jonathan India on first base and two outs when Spencer Speer hit a slicing fly ball down the right field line. India was running on the pitch. Yankees’ right fielder Jake Bauers…

Expert Analysis

Umpires Change Foul Ball Call to Fair Ball

Topics: Replay Review

The Mets and Brewers met in Milwaukee on April 5, 2023 when Alan Porter’s crew changed an errant foul ball call by first base umpire Sean Barber to a fair ball off the bat of New York’s Omar Narváez with one out and the bases empty in the top of the fourth.  Plate umpire Mike…

Expert Analysis

Hit-By-Pitch Strikeout

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Phils and Cubs played at Wrigley on September 28, 2022. Nico Hoerner led off the bottom of the sixth facing Aaron Nola. With a 2-2 count, he swung at a pitch and the ball rolled slowly between home and third. It was fielded by Nola who didn’t have a play. There was a question…

Expert Analysis

Spectator Interference?

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Twins and Tigers played at Comerica Park on September 30, 2022. In the top of the fourth inning the Twins had Gio Urshela on first base and one out when Ryan Jeffers, facing Tyler Alexander, hit a shot down the left field line. With the naked eye it appeared that the ball touched one…

Expert Analysis

2022 Rules Questions: September Edition

Topics: Expert Analysis

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…

Expert Analysis

Catcher Soft Throw Triggers Steal of Home Attempt

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Dodgers and D’backs played at Chase Field on September 14, 2022. In the bottom of the ninth, with the score tied 2-2, the D’backs had Jake McCarthy on third base and two outs. Corbin Carroll was the batter facing Evan Phillips with a 1-0 count. The D’backs noticed that Dodgers’ catcher Austin Barnes had been…

Don't strike out!

Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world!

Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former Major League Baseball players and umpires.