The Bizarre Walk-Off That Was Almost Ruined by a Dugout Celebration
In a Pacific Coast League game between Triple-A Reno (D-backs) and Albuquerque (Rockies) on May 21, 2025, at Greater Nevada Field, chaos ensued when the home team celebrated a bit prematurely. Here’s how the play was basically reported: With Reno trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning and one out, Connor Kaiser delivered…
Batter Inference NOT Called
The Phillies and Diamondbacks played at Chase Field on September 19, 2025. In the top of the sixth, Nick Castellanos struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch from Jalen Beeks with Brandon Marsh on first base and one out. Marsh stole second on the pitch. After Castellanos struck out, he walked into the throwing lane…
Defensive Shift Violation
The Mariners and Royals played at Kauffman Stadium on September 18, 2025. In the top of the eighth, Dominic Canzone was facing Stephen Kolek with one out when he hit a ground ball to second baseman Michael Massey, who tossed to first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino for the apparent 4–3 out. But Mariners manager Dan Wilson…
Poor Time Play Execution
The Padres and Mets played at Citi Field on September 17, 2025. In the top of the sixth inning, the Padres had Elías Díaz on second and Fernando Tatis Jr. on first with two outs when Luis Arraez hit safely to right field. The ball was fielded by Juan Soto, who gunned down Arraez at…
When Basepaths Collide: Understanding Runner Interference and Baseball’s “Right of Way”
I once read that car accidents are often caused by a driver who didn’t see the other driver. I’m sure in some situations, neither driver saw the other. This is true in the game of baseball when a runner impedes a defensive player from making a play or a defensive player hinders a runner who…
Smart Baserunning 2023
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…
McCutchen Creates Time Play
The A’s and Pirates played at PNC Park on June 5, 2023 when the Bucs’ Andrew McCutchen played smart Ruleball to help the Pirates win the game. Here’s what happened. In the bottom of the sixth, the Pirates had Austin Hedges on third, McCutchen on second, and Bryan Reynolds on first and one out when…
Catcher’s Throw Hits Bat
The Dodgers and Braves played at Truist Park on June 26th. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Travis d’Arnaud was batting with runners on first and second and no outs. Michael Harris, the Braves’ runner on second, took off for third base on the pitch in an attempted steal. Dodgers’ catcher Will Smith attempted…
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…