Running Third to Home
The Giants and Cubs played at Wrigley on September 5, 2023. In the bottom of the seventh, the Cubs had Jeimer Candelario on third base and Yan Gomes on first with one out when Nick Madrigal hit a ground ball to Casey Schmitt. The Giants’ third baseman threw errantly to the plate. Most likely the…
Did the Runner Violate the Home Plate Collision Rule?
The Giants and Rockies played at Coors Field on Sept. 15, 2023. In the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies had Elehuris Montero at bat with Charlie Blackmon on second and Nolan Jones on first and one out when Montero singled to left field. Blackmon charged home and arrived safely. Mike Yastrzemski’s throw got by…
Runner Abandonment 2023
Moore Out for Runner Abandonment The Royals hosted the Mariners on Aug. 17, 2023. In the top of the seventh, Dylan Moore was batting with one out. He hit a looping fly ball to left fielder MJ Melendez who made a running, sliding attempt to catch the ball and dropped it. Moore, thinking the ball…
2023 Game and Inning Ending Plays
I’m sure you remember Kool and the Gang’s popular hit, “Celebrate Good Times Come On.” Over the years baseball players have prematurely celebrated victories because of their ignorance of the rules. In this column I am covering six game-ending situations that players and coaches should be aware of. Unless noted, the Pro, NCAA, and NFHS rules…
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…
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…
