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…
When Runner Interference Changes to Obstruction
The Nationals and Orioles played at Camden Yards on Aug. 14, 2024. In the bottom of the seventh, Ryan O’Hearn was batting facing Jacob Barnes with Jackson Holliday on first and Coby Mayo on second and one out. O’Hearn hit a shot that deflected off the thigh of Barnes. The ball rolled to the foul…
Two Runner Interference Plays in 2024
Runner Interference Rule with Infield Fly Rule For the third time this season, there was a runner interference call in the middle of an Infield Fly rule play. The Mariners and Red Sox played at Fenway on July 31, 2024. With one out and runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh…
Third Base Coach Interference?
The Mariners hosted the Angels on July 22, 2024. In the top of the ninth with the score tied 1-1, the Angels had Brandon Drury on second and Zach Neto on first with two outs when Jo Adell singled to center field. Both runners scored. Neto advanced home because of a throwing error by M’s…
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…
Runner Interference Call Changed to Fielder Obstruction
The Rays and Mariners played at T-Mobile Park on July 2, 2023. In the bottom of the third inning, the M’s had Ty France on second base and one out, when Teoscar Hernández hit a ground ball that Rays’ third baseman Isaac Paredes charged in on. France, on his way to third, collided with Paredes…
Runner’s Lane Interference in Mets vs Astros
The Mets and Astros played at Minute Maid on June 21st. In the top of the first inning the Mets had the bases loaded and no outs when Pete Alonso tapped back to pitcher Cristian Javier. Javier threw home to catcher Martín Maldonado for the force at home and Maldonado fired wildly past first baseman…
Five Rule Questions from the 2023 MLB Season
Schowalter Ejected on No Interference QUESTION: In a recent Mets-Reds game, Mets manager Buck Showalter, who seldom gets ejected, was banished for arguing a play at second base. Can you explain what happened? ANSWER: The Reds hosted the Mets on May 9, 2023. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Mets had Wil Myers…
Trout Kicks Ball After Scoring
The Angels beat the Guardians at Progressive Field on May 12th, 2023 scoring two runs in the top of the ninth. It’s debatable if the winning run should have scored. Here is what happened. Hunter Renfroe was batting with Mike Trout on third and Brett Phillips on first and one out when Renfroe hit a…
