Coach Interference
Rule 6.01 (a) (8) governs base coach interference. It reads, “It is interference by a runner when in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in returning to or leaving third base or first base.” This rule that seldom…
May 2023 Question and Answer
Extra Innings Rule QUESTION: Say we go to extra innings and our No.6 hitter made the last out in the bottom of the ninth. We come to bat in the bottom of the 10thinning, and we put our No. 5 hitter on base, because we know he is much faster, and we want to try…
Defending Matt Stairs
This classic baseball instruction video comes from back in 2003 with Cincinnati Reds bench coach, Ray Knight. Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh asks Ray about Pirates slugger Matt Stairs coming to town and how the Reds will try to defend him.
Protective Netting Issues
The Guardians and Mariners played at T-Mobile Park on August 28, 2022. In the bottom of the fifth, the M’s had runners on first and third with two outs when Dylan Moore hit a pop fly in foul territory near the netting on the outfield side of the first base dugout. Guardians’ first baseman Owen…
Collisions at Home Plate – Rule 6.01 (i)
Play No. 1 The Blue Jays and Twins met at Target Field on Aug. 7, 2022. In the top of the tenth, with the score tied 2-2, the Jays had Whit Merrifield on third base and one out when Cavan Biggio hit a fly ball to left fielder Tim Beckham who threw home to catcher…
Fourth Out Appeal
The Nats hosted the Pirates on June 29th when the Nationals had the opportunity to nullify a Pirates’ run by taking advantage of the “fourth out” appeal rule but failed to do so. With one out in the top of the fifth, the Bucs had Hoy Park on second and Jack Suwinski on third when…
Runner Creates a Time Play by Eliminating the Inning-Ending Force Out
The Cards hosted the Pirates on June 14th when what might be the Ruleball play of the season occurred in the first game of a double header. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Redbirds had the bases loaded and two outs. Yadier Molina was on third, Edmundo Sosa on second, and Nolan Gorman…
Touch ‘Em All
Play No. 1 A base runner is required to touch every base in order and to retouch any missed base. There are various layers involved in the rules when either of those conditions arise. The Pirates and Cubs played at Wrigley on May 17th. In the bottom of the eighth, Cubs’ prospect Christopher Morel homered…