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…
Nationals’ 2025 Catch/No Catch Trap Plays: Triple Play and Rare 7-3 Putout Spark Debate
The Washington Nationals have been involved in two catch/no catch trap plays during the 2025 season that have created interesting situations. The Mets and Nationals played at Nationals Park on April 25, 2025 when an unusual triple play took place. It was the second triple play of the season, joining the Rockies’ trifecta on April…
Controversial Batter-Runner Interference Non-Call
Batter-Runner Interference Not Called The Twins hosted the White Sox on April 22, 2025. The Twins had Luke Keaschall on second base and two outs when Trevor Larnach, facing Davis Martin, hit a tapper between home and first. The ball was fielded by Sox catcher Edgar Quero who fired to first. The ball struck Larnach…
July 2025 Question and Answer
Question No. 1 In the following play, the batter-runner was running on the infield grass on the way to first base. Why wasn’t the batter-runner called out for interference because he was running out of the Runner’s Lane? This is the play you are referring to. The Cubs and Phils played at Citizen’s Bank on…
Rare Visual Obstruction Calls in Dodgers vs Mets
The Dodgers beat the Mets 7-5 in 13 innings on May 23, 2025 when third base umpire Tripp Gibson, gave a clinic on the topic of visual obstruction by making two such calls. The last time I saw such a call made was in 2004. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Pete Alonso was…
Type 1 Obstruction: Fielders Illegally Blocking a Base
A few years ago, MLB distributed a video prior to the start of the season demonstrating how catchers should adhere to the Collision at Home Plate rule 6.01 (i). The video coupled with the language of the rule has been a huge success in eliminating runner/catcher collisions at the plate. Now, MLB needs to provide…