Rocchio Out Of Base Path, But Did Pitcher Obstruct Him First?

As Guardians batter-runner Brayan Rocchio ran toward first base during a ground ball in Cleveland, he saw a pair of Royals in 1B Salvador Perez and pitcher Daniel Lynch standing in his base path and veered to his left to avoid a tag. 1B Umpire Paul Clemons called Rocchio out for running more than three feet out of his base path to avoid the tag, but did non-fielding pitcher Lynch's presence on the first baseline obstruct Rocchio on his way to first base? Was this indeed out of the base path, or should this have been obstruction instead with Rocchio awarded first base?

Play: With two out and none on, Rocchio hit a soft ground ball up the first baseline, drawing both F3 Perez and F1 Lynch. Perez fielded the ball and BR Rocchio ran to his left to avoid both F1 Lynch and F3 Perez's tag. U1 Clemons called Rocchio out for running more than three feet away from his base path to avoid the tag.

Conflicting Rules: There are two competing rules with opposite penalties to discuss. One pertains to out of the base path, as Clemons called. The other pertains to obstruction regarding Lynch standing in Rocchio's way.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1) states, "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely." This is the rule Clemons enforced in calling Rocchio out.

OBR 6.01(a)(10), which pertains to interference protection, however, states, "If two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball."

This rule is relevant because the non-protected fielder, which in this case was F1 Lynch (F3 Perez was protected), is liable for obstruction if they violate that rule, which states, "OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner."

When there is a question of violation, whether it pertains to this obstruction rule, runner's lane interference, or any other rule, the benefit of the doubt goes to the team that has not violated.

In this case, we have a clear sequence of events. First, F3 Perez fields the baseball. Second, F1 Lynch who is not protected, stands in the runner's base path. Third, BR Rocchio runs to his left, more than three feet away, to avoid F3 Perez's tag.

Because of this order, it would appear Lynch's illegal positioning and obstruction came before the runner ran more than three feet away to avoid a tag. Had the pitcher not been in the runner's way, could the runner have remained within three feet of his base path? We will never know. There is a question of violation, which means the benefit of the doubt goes to the team that has not violated.

But because both teams violated, we must consider the order in which they violated. Because the defensive team Kansas City violated first, the benefit of the doubt goes to Cleveland batter-runner Rocchio, which suggests F1 Lynch obstructed the runner before the runner ran more than three feet away from his base path to avoid a tag. Because Type 1 Obstruction is an immediate dead ball, the play effectively stopped before the runner committed the base path violation; this is obstruction.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 108-9 - Visconti, Fletcher (Tatis, Stammen)

3B Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected Padres RF Fernando Tatis and 2B Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected manager Craig Stammen (runner's lane interference out call by HP Umpire Tyler Jones; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Padres-#Rays game. With two out and none on, Padres batter Tatis bunted a 0-0 cutter from Rays pitcher Cam Booser on the ground to pitcher Booser, who threw to 1B Jonathan Aranda as Padres batter-runner Tatis ran to first base, ruled runner's lane interference by HP Umpire Jones. Replays indicate batter-runner Tatis ran on the infield grass and not within the runner's lane during the last half of his run to first base and in doing so interfered with 1B Aranda's ability to field Booser's throw, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 3-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-4, in 11 innings.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.
This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a): "A batter is out when in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and on the infield grass, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

These are the 108th and 109th ejection reports of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 61st manager ejection of 2026.

This is the 27th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 61 Managers, 21 Coaches, 27 Players.

This is San Diego's 9/10th ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL West (SD 10; SF 9; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Fernando Tatis' 1st ejection since May 5, 2025 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Craig Stammen's 5th ejection of 2026, 1st since July 28 (Jeremie Rehak; QOC = N [ABS Denial]).

This is Andy Fletcher's 1st ejection since August 8, 2025 (Mike Tauchman; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Jansen Visconti's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since June 8 (David Popkins; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Tampa Bay Rays, 8/30/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 107 - Alan Porter (8; Ron Wotus)

3B Umpire Alan Porter ejected Giants interim 3B coach Ron Wotus (arguing prior game's calls during the pre-game plate meeting) before the top of the 1st inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Giants game. During the pre-game plate meeting and lineup card exchange, Wotus presented the lineup cards on behalf of San Francisco and was ejected shortly thereafter for arguing calls and plays from the day before. At the time of the ejection, the game hadn't yet started and was tied, 0-0. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s 8th ejection of 2026.

This is the 107th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 21st coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 60 Managers, 21 Coaches, 26 Players.

This is San Francisco's 9th ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL West (SF 9; SD 8; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Ron Wotus' 1st ejection since July 23, 2011 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Alan Porter's 8th ejection of 2026, 1st since August 28 (Tony Vitello; QOC = U [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants, 8/29/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 105-6 - Porter, Ortiz (Vitello, Webb)

HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Giants manager Tony Vitello and U2 Roberto Ortiz ejected Giants bench player/pitcher Logan Webb (fair ball call by 3B Umpire Alex MacKay on Nolan Arenado) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Giants game. With two out and one on, Diamondbacks batter Arenado hit a 1-2 curveball from Diamondbacks pitcher Blade Tidwell on the ground past third base for a double, ruled fair by 3B Umpire MacKay. Replays do not conclusively indicate whether the ball bounded past third base in fair or foul territory, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 3-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 10-6.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s 7th ejection of 2026.

This is Roberto Ortiz (40)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

These are the 105th and 106th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 60th manager ejection of 2026. 

This is the 26th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 60 Managers, 20 Coaches, 26 Players.

This is San Francisco's 7/8th ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL West (SD, SF 8; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Tony Vitello's 5th ejection of 2026, 1st since August 26 (Ryan Blakney; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Logan Webb's first career MLB ejection.
This is Alan Porter's 7th ejection of 2026, 1st since August 13 (Davis Martin; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Roberto Ortiz's 1st ejection since August 20, 2025 (José Caballero; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants, 8/28/26 | Video as follows:

Cubs PCA Argues Uncalled Balk vs Arizona, Was Chicago Right?

As Chicago baserunner R3 Pete Crow-Armstrong danced down the third base line in Arizona, his distraction prompted Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to rush his delivery, with PCA upset at the uncalled balk as umpires determined, after crew consultation, that a balk had not occurred. But was it?

The Play: With two out and a runner on third base, Cubs batter Michael Busch stepped in for a 2-1 pitch from Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez as Chicago baserunner R3 Pete Crow-Armstrong danced down the third base line. Rodriguez was pitching from Windup Position, having declared Windup while standing in a Hybrid stance (footwork indicating Set Position, but opting to pitch from the Windup), giving R3 PCA a little more time for baserunning antics near 3B, which pitcher Rodriguez noticed mid-delivery and rushed his motion home, turning the 2-1 pitch into a pitchout of sorts to catcher James McCann, who exited his box to receive the ball.

Chicago campaigned for a balk, while 3B Umpire Malachi Moore gestured for the crew to convene. After consultation with 1B Umpire Mike Estabrook and 2B Umpire Lance Barrett, HP Umpire and Crew Chief Alfonso Márquez explained via public address microphone that the crew deemed there was no balk, drawing Cubs manager Craig Counsell for an argument.

Was This is a Balk? To determine whether this was a balk, we first narrow down the types of balks this could conceivably qualify as. Pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(1), "if there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery"; however, pitcher Rodriguez did fire home.

We next investigate the so-called catcher's balk, aka OBR 5.02(a), which states, "the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk."

Upon closer inspection, this is a balk pursuant to OBR 6.02(a)(5): "the pitcher makes an illegal pitch" because of Rule 5.07(a) Comment, which states, "The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset their pivot foot in their delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it should be treated as an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b)."

Replays indicate Rodriguez in his rushed delivery reset his pivot foot by stepping off the back of the pitcher's plate/rubber entirely, this disengagement (inadvertent or otherwise) making this an illegal pitch. This was a balk that was not called.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 104 - Ryan Blakney (1; Tony Vitello)

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Giants manager Tony Vitello (check swing ball call on Eugenio Suárez by 1B Umpire Ben May) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Reds-#Giants game. With two out and two on, Reds batter Eugenio Suarez attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 sweeper from Giants pitcher Logan Webb, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Blakney and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire May. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 10-9.

This is Ryan Blakney (36)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 104th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 59th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 59 Managers, 20 Coaches, 25 Players.

This is San Francisco's 6th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL West (SD 8; SF 6; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Tony Vitello's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since July 22 (Lance Barrett; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

This is Ryan Blakney's 1st ejection since August 13, 2025 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs San Francisco Giants, 8/26/26 | Video as follows:

Pirates Balk After the Fact? Pitchers, You've Gotta Declare!

Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft appeared to have induced an inning-ending groundout from Padres batter Jake Cronenworth, but not so fast declared HP Umpire Dan Merzel, who had called a balk to score baserunner Freddy Fermin from third base. It's another Hybrid Stance & failure to declare Windup Position issue. Pitchers, you've gotta declare!

The relevant regulation is Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(2) Comment, which states, "With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if they stand with their pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and their other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, unless they notify the umpire that they will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat."

Prior to the previous batter Fernando Tatis' at-bat in the bottom of the 6th inning of Tuesday's Pirates-Padres game in San Diego, Pittsburgh pitcher Ashcraft declared to the umpires his intention of delivering from Windup Position while using the hybrid stance as prescribed by OBR 5.07(a)(2) Comment. But after Tatis struck out, Ashcraft did not re-declare his use of Windup prior to the ensuing Cronenworth at-bat.

By rule (presently, until and if MLB ever changes it), the hybrid declaration (to use Windup while footwork is in Set Position [or an ambiguous diagonal angle]) must be made before each new batter the pitcher intends to invoke OBR 5.07(a)(2) Comment.

HP Umpire Merzel made this same call on Braves pitcher Chris Sale, resulting in the ejections of pitcher and manager Walt Weiss on August 12.

Related Post: MLB Ejections 090-1 - Dan Merzel (x2; Weiss & Chris Sale) (8/12/26).

The history of Hybrid is that pitchers sometimes opt to use the stance when there is a runner on third base. The rule allows a pitcher to declare if a runner advances during the middle of a plate appearance (e.g., stolen base): "A pitcher will be permitted to notify the umpire that he is pitching from the Windup Position within an at-bat only in the event of (i) a substitution by the offensive team; or (ii) immediately upon the advancement of one or more runners (i.e., after one or more base runners advance but before the delivery of the next pitch)."

In this case, San Diego batter Dustin Harris' groundout with Fermin at second base allowed the baserunner to advance to third. Pitcher Ashcraft then immediately notified umpires of his intent to pitch out of Windup while standing in Set prior to Tatis' at-bat. Ashcraft just didn't re-declare prior to the Cronenworth at-bat. Pirates manager Don Kelly briefly sought explanation from HP Umpire Merzel, but was not ejected. Managers are allowed to seek explanation but not permitted to argue such a balk.

Because the penalty for failing to declare is a balk (technically a start-stop balk in Set Position for starting the natural motion but failing to deliver the baseball on the first step [OBR 6.02(a)(1)]), there is no penalty for a pitcher who uses Hybrid without declaring it when the bases are empty.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 103 - Chris Guccione (1; Joc Pederson)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Rangers DH Joc Pederson (ABS challenge denial/strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Rangers-#WhiteSox game. With one out and none on, Rangers batter Pederson took a 1-2 changeup from White Sox pitcher José Urquidy for a called third strike, attempted to challenge the call, but was denied his request; Pederson was later ejected from the dugout after White Sox catcher Drew Romo had several ABS challenge requests allowed. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.02, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51]) but that Pederson's challenge request was timely, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 2-0. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 11-2.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*This pitch was a strike at the front of home plate and fell out of the zone at the middle (ABS) of the plate.

QOC for this ejection is based on the umpire's denial of the timely ABS challenge request.

This is the 103rd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 25th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 58 Managers, 20 Coaches, 25 Players.

This is Texas' 4th ejection of 2026, 5th in the AL West (ASS, LAA, SEA, TEX 4; HOU 2).

This is Joc Pederson's 1st ejection since May 13, 2024 (Mark Carlson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since August 2, 2025 (Miguel Cairo; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox, 8/24/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 102 - Alfonso Márquez (2; Camilo Doval)

HP Umpire Alfonso Márquez ejected Pirates pitcher Camilo Doval (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Pirates-#Dodgers game. With two out and one on, Dodgers batter Mookie Betts took a 0-2 cutter from Pirates pitcher Doval for a called first ball, overturned to strike three upon ABS challenge by Pirates catcher Henry Davis. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.70, pz 1.90 [sz_bot 1.56]) and that no other pitches during the inning were incorrectly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 4-3. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Alfonso Márquez (72)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 102nd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 58 Managers, 20 Coaches, 24 Players.

This is Pittsburgh's 9th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 9; CHC 4; STL 3; CIN 2; MIL 0).

This is Camilo Doval's first career MLB ejection.

This is Alfonso Márquez's 1st ejection since August 3, 2025 (Jordan Beck; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 8/22/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 101 - Brennan Miller (1; Craig Counsell)

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (step balk call on Matthew Boyd; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Cubs-#Mariners game. With none out and one on, during Brendan Donovan's at-bat, HP Umpire Miller called Boyd for a balk during an attempted pickoff throw. Replays indicate the pitcher stepped failed to step directly to first base before throwing to that base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 4-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 58th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 58 Managers, 20 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Chicago's 4th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 8; CHC 4; STL 3; CIN 2; MIL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since June 23 (Jordan Baker; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Brennan Miller's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 19 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Catch/Trap]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Seattle Mariners, 8/21/26 | Video as follows: