The Right of Way
It’s imperative that players on both sides of the ball understand when they have the “Right of Way.” When a fielder is attempting to make a play, the runner must avoid him. And when a defensive player does not have possession of the ball, or is not in the act of receiving a throw, the…
2022 Rules Questions with Rich Marazzi
Restricted Baseline Running Home Question: When a runner is advancing home and avoiding a tag by a catcher, does the runner have a restricted baseline? Answer: Yes. Whenever a runner is avoiding a tag, or is in a rundown, he has a restricted baseline. It is a straight line to the base he is going to, and…
Baserunner Hit Running to Second Base
The Rays and Orioles played in Baltimore on July 25, 2022. In the bottom of the fifth, the O’s had Adley Rutschman on third and Ryan Mountcastle on first and one out when Anthony Santander hit a ground ball to first baseman Ji-Man Choi. The Rays’ first baseman fired to second in an attempt to…
Walk Off Balk!
The Reds were batting in the bottom of the tenth with the score tied 1-1 on July 8, 2022. Tyler Naquin was facing Matt Wisler with runners on first and third and one out when Edwin Moscoso called a balk on Wisler. Mark Kolozsvary, the runner on third, scored the winning run on the play….
Catcher Blocking of the Plate Controversy in 2022
Plate umpire Edwin Moscoso had a busy tenth inning when the Rays and Reds played at Great American Ball Park on July 8th. In the top of tenth, the Rays had Francisco Mejía on third and Josh Lowe on first and no outs with the score tied 1-1 when Yandy Diaz hit a ground ball…
Type 2 Obstruction – Here’s What You need to Know
Type 2 Obstruction (Ball Remains in Play) Under Type 2 obstruction, there is no play being directly made on the obstructed runner at the time of the obstruction. The ball is normally a long distance from the act of obstruction. The umpire signals the obstruction by pointing to the obstruction and yelling “That’s obstruction.” This…
Tropicana Field – Tampa Bay Rays
https://www.mlb.com/groundrules/venue-12
Backswing Interference
Backswing interference is sometimes called “follow-through” interference. It is covered under rule 6.03 (a) (3) and (4) Comment. The penalty is not as severe as your traditional or regular batter interference when the batter’s missed swing takes him into the throwing lane of the catcher. When that occurs, the batter is out unless the runner…