Fielder Intentionally Drops Bunt Fly Ball
The Nationals and Pirates played a double header at PNC Park on September 7, 2024. In the top of the ninth of the first game, the Nats were winning 4-2. Jacob Young was the batter facing David Bednar. Young hit a bunt pop fly in front of the plate. Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez came…
Plate Umpire Interference
Plate umpire interference was called in back-to-back games on June 24-25, 2024 at Petco Park where the Nationals and Padres played. Both times the Nationals lost stolen bases which were critical because the Nats lost the June 24th game 7-6 in 10-innings and the following night they were defeated 9-7. Ruleball Comments Plate umpire interference is…
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…
You Make the Call!
There are three different scenarios in this report and I am challenging you to make the call for each one which may not necessarily concur with my opinion. Play No. 1 The Brewers and Mets played at Citi Field on June 28, 2023. In the top of the eighth, the Brewers had runners on first…
Catchers Blocking the Plate in 2023 MLB Season
Catcher Legally blocks the Plate on Throw from Drawn-In Infielder The Royals hosted the Reds on June 12, 2023. In the top of the 10th, the Reds had TJ Friedl on third base and one out with the score tied 4-4 when Jonathan India hit a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia who threw…
Meyers Not Called for Batter-Runner Interference
The Nationals and Astros played at Minute Maid on June 14, 2023. In the bottom of the ninth, the Astros were batting with one out and the bases loaded with the score tied 4-4 when Jake Meyers grounded to shortstop C.J. Abrams, who threw home for the second out. Catcher Keibert Ruiz tried to turn…
2023 Home Plate Collision and Pitcher Declaration
Regarding the Collison at Home Plate rule, the catcher has no restriction when receiving a throw from the pitcher or a drawn-in infielder. The following two plays illustrate those aspects of the rule. Catcher Receives Throw from the Pitcher The Nationals hosted the Guardians on April 15, 2023. In the top of the eighth, the…
Pitching Regulations and New Timing Rules
The 2023 Pitch Clock rules for Major League Baseball are as follows: 30-second timer will be used between batters… 20-second timer will be used between pitches with runners on base… 15-second timer will be used between pitches with no runners on base… The Field Timing Coordinator (FTC) will be in charge of the clock for multiple situations. Question:…
Play Ruled Dead Following Backswing Interference
The Phils and Nationals played at Nationals Park on September 30, 2022. In the bottom of the seventh, the Nationals had Luis Garcia on second and two outs. Victor Robles was batting with a 2-1 count facing Zach Eflin. Robles swung through the pitch and made contact with Phils catcher J.T. Realmuto on his follow-through…
2022 Rules Questions: September Edition
Runner Obstructed During Rundown Question: See the above attachment before reading this play. In this situation, the runner going from second to third is obstructed during the rundown. I know this is a Type 1 obstruction because there was a play being directly made on the runner. The umpires awarded the obstructed runner third base…
