New York Yankees

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Catcher’s Interference Becoming Common Occurrence in MLB

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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…

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September 2023 Rules Question and Answer

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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…

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Umpire Interference 2023

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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…

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Runner Abandonment 2023

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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…

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Fair or Foul?

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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…

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The 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tar Game

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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…

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2023 Batter Awarded Third Base on Infield Overthrow

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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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July 2023 MLB Rules Question and Answer

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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…

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McNeil Shift Violation

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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…

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Judge Makes Catch and Runs Through Outfield Fence

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The Yankees and Dodgers played at Dodger Stadium on June 3, 2023. The Dodgers had Max Muncy on first base and no outs in the eighth inning when J.D. Martinez hit a drive to right field. Aaron Judge tracked back and eventually crashed through a fence ending up in the Yankees bullpen to rob Martinez…

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