The ninth inning of the May 18 game between the Washington Nationals and the visiting Chicago Cubs began like any other late-inning, three-run game. Nationals closer Sean Doolittle toed the slab in a save situation and retired Albert Almora Jr. for the first out. The next pitch is where the controversy officially became a game […]
1. Infield Fly Rule situation. The bases are loaded and one out when the batter hits a pop fly near first base in fair territory. The umpires invoke the IFR. The runner on first base, who is several feet off the bag, is tracking the fly ball instead of locating the first baseman who is […]
When a defensive team attempts a hidden ball trick it is important for the pitcher to know his limitations on the mound. A pitcher is not permitted to stand on or astride the rubber without the ball. However, at the professional level, he may stand on the mound area. He may not hold the rosin bag in his glove or hold it in his hand as an attempt to fool the runner into thinking the rosin bag is actually the baseball.
Quick pitch or illegal pitch Tampering with the baseball and the play that ensued is not accepted by the offensive team Violating the hand-to-mouth rule. If a pitcher goes to his mouth while in contact with the rubber, or if he goes to his mouth and does not wipe his fingers, a ball is called […]
Set Position: [Official Rule 5.07(a)(2)] The set (or “stretch”) position is used when a runner is on base. Note that “set position” is a term used not only for the overall pitching position, but also for one aspect of the motion associated with this pitching position – coming to a complete stop just before delivering […]
The Yankees hosted the A’s on July 9. In the bottom of the third inning, the Yanks had Jacoby Ellsbury on second and Brett Gardner on first with no outs and Mark Teixeira at the plate. A’s pitcher Jesse Chavez, while in contact with the rubber, wheeled toward second and threw to shortstop Marcus Semien, […]
The Yankees hosted the A’s on July 9. In the bottom of the third inning, the Yanks had Jacoby Ellsbury on second and Brett Gardner on first with no outs and Mark Teixeira at the plate. A’s pitcher Jesse Chavez, while in contact with the rubber, wheeled toward second and threw to shortstop Marcus Semien, […]
Throwing to the first baseman when the first baseman is not in the vicinity of the base creates a balk when there is no obvious intent on the part of the first baseman to retire the runner. For example, let’s say the first baseman is positioned several feet behind or in front of the base […]