September 2024 Baseball Rules Question and Answer
QUESTION #1 Minor League game…There’s a runner on third. Following the pitch to the batter the runner walked back toward third base but never touched the base. For some reason, he went around the base toward left field and never retouched third base as he retook his lead. Is this a violation? Can the defensive…
Catcher’s Interference Rule That Creates A Balk
The Rays hosted the Marlins on July 30, 2024. In the bottom of the seventh, Jose Siri was at bat facing Austin Kitchen with José Cabellero on third base. Cabellero broke for the plate in an attempt to steal the dish. Marlins catcher Nick Fortes jumped out in front the plate. Plate ump Tripp Gibson called…
Teammate Illegally Assists Runner
The A’s and Angels played in Anaheim on June 26, 2024. In the top of the second, the A’s had runners on first and second with two outs when Max Schuemann doubled home two runs. Unfortunately for the A’s, only one run counted. After going back to touch the plate, Bacon pointed at McCann and…
Two Right of Way Plays in MLB in 2024
Right of Way Play No. 1 Player Comes out of Dugout and Interferes with Fielder Rule 6.01 (b) rarely surfaces in the game of baseball. But it did in the June 9, 2024 game at Oakland where the A’s hosted the Blue Jays. The rule that is titled “Right of Way,” reads, “The players, coaches,…
Did Tommy Pham Violate Home Plate Collision Rule?
The White Sox and Brewers played at American Family Field on June 2, 2024. In the top of the eighth, Chicago had Tommy Pham on third and Nicky Lopez on second with one out when Corey Julks flied to Christian Yelich in short left center. Pham tagged-up at third and raced home. Yelich’s throw to…
Did Runner Intentionally Interfere to Avert a Double Play?
In the top of the second inning in the Yankees-Angels game played on May 29, 2024 the Yankees had Anthony Rizzo on second and Jose Trevino on first and one out when DJ LeMahieu hit a ground ball to the left side of the infield that struck Rizzo. He was called out for runner interference…
Should Infielders Blocking a Base Obstruction Be Reviewable?
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…
Which Catches are LEGAL and ILLEGAL?
The video helps you understand which catches are legal and illegal in Major League Baseball. This video defines what is a legal catch is, discusses foul tips caught by a catcher, plays and catches around the dugout, fielders falling into the stands, drops against the wall and more. Rich Marazzi Rules consultant/analyst: Angels, D’backs, Dodgers,…
The Conduct of the Catcher at the Plate
This video discusses the responsibilities of a CATCHER in regards to collisions at home plate – Rule 6.01 (i). The rule is designed to prevent injury between the runner and the catcher, and both share responsibilities to avoid a collision. Rich Marazzi Rules consultant/analyst: Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers,…
