Plate Umpire Interference Costs Astros Stolen Base Attempt Against Mariners
The Mariners hosted the Astros on April 12, 2026. In the top of the first inning, the Astros had Jose Altuve on first base with no outs when he attempted to steal second. The throw to second sailed into the outfield, and Altuve advanced to third. But wait! Plate umpire Clint Vondrak called interference on…
Runner Interference Call Ends Rays Threat Against Pirates and Paul Skenes
The Pirates hosted the Rays on April 18, 2026. In the top of the second inning, the Rays had the bases loaded with no outs when Hunter Feducia, facing Paul Skenes, hit a ground ball to Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Richie Palacios, the runner on first, impeded Horwitz as he attempted to field the…
Jac Caglianone Called Out For Interference
The Royals and Tigers played at Comerica Park on April 15, 2026. In the top of the seventh, Kansas City had Jac Caglianone on second and Lane Thomas on first with two outs and the score tied 1-1 when Starling Marte hit a ground ball toward third base. Caglianone was called for interference when he…
Controversial Ball Boy Interference Plays Leave MLB Fans Questioning Rule 6.01(d)
Ball Boy Interference No. 1 The D-backs hosted the Blue Jays on April 17, 2026. In the top of the seventh, Andrés Giménez, facing Michael Soroka, hit a shot down the right-field line. Giménez circled the bases and was called out at third by umpire Alex MacKay. But the umpires ruled that the ball boy…
O’Hearn: Retouch of Second Base Not Necessary
The Pirates hosted the Natioinals on April 14th, 2026. In the bottom of the eighth, Marcell Ozuna was batting with a 1-2 count and Ryan O’Hearn on first base with one out when Ozuna hit a shot toward left-center field. Daylen Lile, the Nationals’ left fielder, raced over and made a great catch. Meanwhile, O’Hearn…
Fielder Drops Soft Liner Gets Double Play
The White Sox and D-backs played at Chase Field on April 23, 2026. Chicago was batting in the top of the third with the bases loaded and one out. Munetaka Murakami was on third, Miguel Vargas was on second, and Colson Montgomery was on first when Everson Pereira hit a low liner to Geraldo Perdomo….
Understanding MLB “Time Plays”: Three Real-Game Examples That Every Team Should Know
Play No. 1 The Twins hosted the Cubs on July 9th, 2025. In the bottom of the fourth, Harrison Bader was batting facing Cade Horton. The Twins had Royce Lewis on third and Matt Wallner on first with two outs when Wallner broke for second on a 0-1 pitch. Wallner got into a rundown between…
Keeping the Force Alive: Four MLB Plays That Show the Power of Smart Base-Running Rules
Play No. 1 Walker Keeps Force Alive The Braves hosted the Astros on September 19, 2025. In the bottom of the fourth, Atlanta had Ronald Acuña Jr. on first with one out when Blake Baldwin hit a ground ball to first baseman Christian Walker. Acuña briefly froze before retreating to first. Walker tagged Acuña, who…
Batter Inference NOT Called
The Phillies and Diamondbacks played at Chase Field on September 19, 2025. In the top of the sixth, Nick Castellanos struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch from Jalen Beeks with Brandon Marsh on first base and one out. Marsh stole second on the pitch. After Castellanos struck out, he walked into the throwing lane…