New York Yankees

Expert Analysis

Should Infielders Blocking a Base Obstruction Be Reviewable?

Topics: Batter Runner

Play No. 1 The Yankees and Guardians played a split doubleheader in Cleveland on April 13, 2024. In the top of the third of the first game, the Yankees had Juan Soto on first base and no outs when Aaron Judge flied to Tyler Freeman in short center field. Freeman, seeing Soto was a good…

Expert Analysis

Spectator Interference: Rule 6.01 (e)

Topics: Expert Analysis

The Yankees and Astros played at Minute Maid on September 3, 2023. In the bottom of the sixth, Yordan Alvarez hit a Tommy Kahnle pitch deep down the left field line in foul territory. Yankees’ left fielder Everson Pereira was in pursuit of the ball but was deprived of the catch when a fan reached…

Expert Analysis

Smart Baserunning 2023

Topics: Expert Analysis

In the following four plays of this report, you will see where runners played excellent Ruleball by executing sound running strategies and utilizing what the rules allow.   Yankees Smart Base Running The Yankees and Red Sox played a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park on September 14, 2023. In the nightcap, clever base-running by Oswaldo Cabrera…

Expert Analysis

Catcher’s Interference Becoming Common Occurrence in MLB

Topics: Expert Analysis

In the second game of a day-night doubleheader between the Yanks and Red Sox at Fenway on September 12, 2023, Austin Wells was batting in the top of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out facing Nick Robertson when catcher Connor Wong was called for catcher’s interference by plate umpire Brian Knight. Everson…

Expert Analysis

September 2023 Rules Question and Answer

Topics: Expert Analysis

Time Call / Base Awards QUESTION: The Marlins hosted the Dodgers on Sept. 7, 2023. In the top of the sixth, the Dodgers had Mookie Betts on first base and one out when Freddie Freeman facing George Soriano hit a fair ball down the right field line. The ball boy stationed along the line fielded…

Expert Analysis

Umpire Interference 2023

Topics: Expert Analysis

Before you read this report, I suggest you watch Umpire’s Interference-Reviewing It’s Two Types. It is a 4:21 compilation of various umpire interference plays. There are three ways an umpire can be called for interference under rules 5.05 (b) (4), and 5.06 (c) (2).  (1) If the field umpire, who is positioned on the infield…

Expert Analysis

Runner Abandonment 2023

Topics: Expert Analysis

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…

Expert Analysis

Fair or Foul?

Topics: Expert Analysis

On July 22, 2023 the Yankees hosted the Royals.  Bobby Witt Jr. led off the top of the fourth with a bunt along the foul line between home and third. The ball eventually rolled foul, barely off the line. So, Yankees’ third baseman DJ LeMahieu pushed the ball to keep it from rolling back into…

Expert Analysis

The 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tar Game

Topics: Expert Analysis

Today, marks the 40th anniversary of the historic Pine Tar Game when George Brett’s two-run homer off Yankees’ reliever “Goose” Gossage in the top of the ninth gave the Royals an “apparent” 5-4 lead but was nullified by the umpires because they ruled the amount of pine tar on Brett’s bat exceeded the legal 18-inch…

Expert Analysis

2023 Batter Awarded Third Base on Infield Overthrow

Topics: Expert Analysis

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…

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