Robles Catch and Carry
The Mariners and Giants met at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025. In the bottom of the ninth with the score tied, 4-4, the Giants had Luis Matos on first base and one out when Patrick Bailey sent a fly ball into the corner deep down the right field line. Mariners’ right fielder Victor Robles…
Rangers-Angels Runner Interference Call Sparks Debate
The Angels and Rangers played at Globe Life Field on April 15, 2025. In the bottom of the sixth the Rangers had Corey Seager on first base and one out when Josh Jung hit a fly ball in the direction of Angels’ first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Seager paused near Schanuel and was called out by…
Type 1 Obstruction: Fielders Illegally Blocking a Base
A few years ago, MLB distributed a video prior to the start of the season demonstrating how catchers should adhere to the Collision at Home Plate rule 6.01 (i). The video coupled with the language of the rule has been a huge success in eliminating runner/catcher collisions at the plate. Now, MLB needs to provide…
Passing The Runner: Juan Soto Passes Brandon Nimmo
The White Sox and Mets played at Citi Field on May 27, 2025. In the bottom of the first inning, the Mets had Brandon Nimmo on first base and no outs when Juan Soto, facing Jonathan Cannon, drove a ball deep to Michael A. Taylor in right center. Nimmo was off and running. It wasn’t…
Controversial Calls and Rule Interpretations in 2025
Play No. 1 The Twins and A’s played at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on June 3, 2025. In the top of the sixth inning, Brooks Lee, facing Jacob Lopez, hit a bouncer toward first base with two outs. A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom attempted to field the ball, he slipped and the ball deflected…
Batter-Runner Interference Results in Ejection
The Marlins and Rays played at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on June 6, 2025 in front of 8,448 fans. In the top of the third, Xavier Edwards was batting facing the Rays’ Zack Littell with Dane Myers on second and no outs trailing, 1-0. Edwards bunted the ball to the third base side…
Infield Fly Rule Confusion
Tampa and Boston played at Fenway on June 9, 2025. In the top of the fourth, the Rays had Yandy Díaz on second base and Jonathan Aranda on first with no outs when Junior Caminero, batting against Brayan Bello, hit a towering fly on the third base side of home plate. Plate umpire Junior Valentine…
Visual Obstruction Twice in the Same Game!
In a wild baseball game on May 23, 2025 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, a rare visual obstruction call occurred twice! Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez’s 92 mph throw caught Mets runner Starling Marte tagging up, but the third base umpire called obstruction on fielder Max Muncy for blocking Marte’s view….
Should MLB Examine and Update Catch Rule?
In a recent play, Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tyler Callihan demonstrates remarkable effort, catching a ball in fair territory before crashing into the wall and falling to the ground, causing the ball to dislodge from his glove. Per Major League Baseball’s catch rule, a fielder must hold the ball long enough to prove complete control,…
Infielder Cannot Intentionally Drop a Pop-Up
In a play involving a line drive caught by the shortstop, the fielder intentionally drops the ball and flips it to the second baseman to attempt a double play. The umpire, recognizing the deliberate drop, makes an immediate judgment call. The correct ruling returns the runner from first base to first and declares the batter-runner…