Plate Umpire Interference Costs Astros Stolen Base Attempt Against Mariners
The Mariners hosted the Astros on April 12, 2026. In the top of the first inning, the Astros had Jose Altuve on first base with no outs when he attempted to steal second. The throw to second sailed into the outfield, and Altuve advanced to third. But wait! Plate umpire Clint Vondrak called interference on…
Controversial Ball Boy Interference Plays Leave MLB Fans Questioning Rule 6.01(d)
Ball Boy Interference No. 1 The D-backs hosted the Blue Jays on April 17, 2026. In the top of the seventh, Andrés Giménez, facing Michael Soroka, hit a shot down the right-field line. Giménez circled the bases and was called out at third by umpire Alex MacKay. But the umpires ruled that the ball boy…
Illegal Tag of Detached Batting Helmet
The Blue Jays and Guardians played at Progressive Field on June 23, 2024. In the top of the first inning with the Jays leading 2-0, Justin Turner stole second base with a little help from his batting helmet. Turner attempted to advance to second base with George Springer at bat when Triston McKenzie made a…
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,…
Different Situations Where a Pitcher Delivers a Pitch Following a Balk
Play Follows a Balk The Dodgers hosted the Cardinals on March 30, 2024. In the top of the seventh, the Cards had Matt Carpenter on third, Alec Burleson on second, and Brandon Crawford on first with one out when Victor Scott II flied to Teoscar Hernandez in left. But the out was nullified when Dodgers…
Batting Out of Turn
I recently received this question from a coach. What should we do if we notice that an opposing player has batted out of turn? That’s a good question and one that is difficult to understand even among the best baseball minds. Let’s explore the Batting Out of Turn Rule 6.03 (b) and apply it for…
Manoah Tries to Blow Fair Ball into Foul Ball Territory
The Blue Jays hosted the Astros on June 5, 2023 when Jays pitcher Alek Manoah tried to blow a rolling ball into foul territory in the top of the first inning. As written by Keegan Matheson, “In one of the stranger plays you’ll see this season, Manoah tracked a Jeremy Peña bunt down the third-base…
What Happens When Two Runners are on the Same Base?
On May 20, 2023 the Orioles and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Jays had Brandon Belt on third and Matt Chapman on second with one out when Danny Jansen hit a bouncer to O’s pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. Rodriguez ran at Belt who was heading home….
Runner Runs Third to Home in Fair Territory
The Orioles and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre on May 20, 2023. In the top of the 10th inning, the score was tied 5-5 when the O’s Ryan Mountcastle began the inning on second base as the ghost runner. Adam Frazier bunted him to third. Austin Hays then hit a ground ball toward…
Germán Ejected for Using an Illegal Substance
Yankees right hander Domingo Germán was ejected for using an illegal substance when the Yankees and Blue Jays played at the Rogers Centre on May 16, 2023. Germán began to take the mound for the bottom of the fourth after three perfect innings to start the ballgame. But he was intercepted by the umpiring crew,…