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 Batter Awarded Third Base on Infield Overthrow
Do you know there are situations when a batter-runner can be awarded third base on an overthrow by an infielder into dead ball territory? Can you define the terms “FIRST PLAY” and “SECOND PLAY” in the infield? Award of Bases on Infield Throws into Dead Ball Territory Normally when an infielder throws a ball into…
July 2023 MLB Rules Question and Answer
Play No. 1 QUESTION: There was a question in a recent Pirates game as to whether or not an outfielder made a legal catch in left field. Can you explain what happened? ANSWER: The Pirates and Marlins played at loanDepot park on June 24, 2023. Jon Berti led off the bottom of the fifth inning…
McNeil Shift Violation
The Yankees and Mets played at Citi Field on June 14, 2023 when Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil was called for a shift violation by plate umpire Bill Miller. The Yankees had Anthony Volpe on second and one out with Giancarlo Stanton facing Adam Ottavino with a 0-1 count. McNeil was straddling second base with…
Manoah Tries to Blow Fair Ball into Foul Ball Territory
The Blue Jays hosted the Astros on June 5, 2023 when Jays pitcher Alek Manoah tried to blow a rolling ball into foul territory in the top of the first inning. As written by Keegan Matheson, “In one of the stranger plays you’ll see this season, Manoah tracked a Jeremy Peña bunt down the third-base…
If a Pitcher Crosses the Foul Line, He Must Pitch to the First Batter
Rule 5.10 (i) reads, “If a pitcher who is already in the game crosses the foul line on his way to take his place on the pitcher’s plate to start an inning, he shall pitch to the first batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the batter is substituted for,…
