How Would You Rule? – VIII

You are presented with a situation that actually occurred or might occur in a game. To play along, decide how you would rule or score. Then click the button to find out what either the umpires or the official scorer actually decided.

Scoop Ball with Mask

April 8, 2010 – Seattle @ Oakland

Situation: Bottom of the 8th. None out. Travis Buck on first.

Cliff Pennington bunts the ball down the 3B line. The ball rolls off the hand of Mariner 3B Jose Lopez. C Adam Moore tries to scoop the ball up with his mask.

Reference: "Rule review," Rich Marazzi, USA Today Sports Weekly, April 28-May 4, 2010
Infield Fly Not Caught

Situation: Runners on first and second with one out.

The batter hits a pop up in the infield. The home plate umpire calls "infield fly." No fielder touches the ball, which hits in fair territory on the infield grass and rolls into foul territory. The runners move to second and third, and the batter ends up on first.

What is the result of the play?

Reference: "Rule review," Rich Marazzi, USA Today Sports Weekly, April 14-20, 2010
Ball Hits Runner on 2B

Situation: Bases loaded with one out. All four infielders are playing in at the edge of the grass.

The batter hits a hard grounder up the middle past the pitcher. The ball hits the runner who is standing on second base.

Is the runner out?

Reference: "Rule review," Rich Marazzi, USA Today Sports Weekly, April 28-May 4, 2010
Infield Fly Lands Foul

Situation: Runners on first and second with one out.

The batter hits a pop up above home plate. The home plate umpire calls "infield fly." The C misjudges the ball, which lands untouched in foul territory but rolls into fair territory. The C picks up the ball in fair territory and throws to the 3B, who tags the runner coming from second. The 3B then throws to first, but the batter reaches the bag ahead of the throw.

What is the result of the play?



Reference: "Rule review," Rich Marazzi, USA Today Sports Weekly, April 14-20, 2010
Three Men on Third

Situation: Trailing 6-5 with one out in the bottom of the eighth at Camden Yards, the Orioles have the bases loaded with Jeff Tackett on 3rd, Brady Anderson on 2nd, and Chito Martinez on 1st.

  • The batter, Mike Devereaux, smacks a sinking liner that is short-hopped by CF Chad Curtis.
  • Tackett, thinking the ball would be caught, returns to 3rd.
  • In the meantime, Anderson takes off and joins Tackett on the bag.
  • Martinez, running all the way, chugs around second and crashes the party at the hot corner.
  • Angels' C John Orton takes the throw from Curtis, runs to 3B, and tags all three Orioles.


Reference: "Three Runners on Third Base," Craig R. Wright, BaseballsPast.com
Catcher Interference

Situation: Runner on 3B with one out.

The batter hits a ground ball to the 2B, who throws the batter out while the runner scores from 3B. However, the home plate umpire rules that the C interfered with the batter's swing. Does the at-bat count?

Reference: "Baseball Rules Corner," Rich Marazzi, Baseball Digest, March/April 2010
Catches Ball, Falls into Camera Well

April 20, 2010 – San Francisco @ San Diego

Situation: Bottom of fourth; Chase Headley on second and no outs.

Kyle Blanks hits a pop foul near the first base dugout. 1B Aubrey Huff catches the ball and flips over the wall into the camera well in dead-ball territory. He shows the ball to the umpire to legalize the catch.

Is Headley awarded third base?

Reference: "Rule review," Rich Marazzi, USA Today Sports Weekly, April 28-May 4, 2010
Interference?

Situation: Runner on 3B with one out

The batter hits a grounder to the 3B. The runner sprints for home on contact. About half way down the line, he runs into fair territory and gets between the 3B and the C to create a difficult throwing lane. The 3B throws home, and the ball gets by the C who has difficulty seeing the ball because of the runner. The runner scores, and the batter ends up on 2B.

Should the runner be called out for interference?

Reference: "Baseball Rules Corner," Rich Marazzi, Baseball Digest, March/April 2010
Batter Hits Catcher's Glove

Situation: As the batter swings, his bat hits the catcher's glove. What happens, and how is the at-bat scored?

Throw in Stands

Situation: Runner on 1B with no outs.

The runner is going with the pitch as the batter hits a grounder to the SS who runs to 2B to try to start a DP. However, the runner beats the SS to the base and is called safe. The SS then throws the ball into the stands behind 1B. Where do the runner and the batter end up on the play?


Reference: "Baseball Rules Corner," Rich Marazzi, Baseball Digest, March/April 2010