Plate Blocking Replay & Missed Foul Ball Leads to Run

A pair of Opening Day plate blocking replays at home in Houston and Miami brought out some fiery opinions from the Marlins broadcasters while a missed foul ball call led to Chicago's 9th-inning go-ahead run as the Rangers catcher argued with the umpire during play rather than pursuing the loose baseball, allowing a heads-up Cubs baserunner to score all the way from second base.

We begin with an Astros challenge of HP Umpire James Hoye's out and home plate collision rule no-call in Houston as Yankees outfielder Juan Soto threw out baserunner Mauricio Dubón on a close play at home plate.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i)(2) pertaining to home plate collisions states, "Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe."

A catcher's legal position for this play, through which the defensive player gives the runner a path home, for better or worse often can be illustrated using the foul line—if the catcher is positioned to the right of the line (or at least in fair territory), blocking is unlikely, but if the catcher initially positions in foul territory (or straddling the line), blocking becomes a possibility. Replays indicate New York catcher Jose Trevino initially set up entirely to the infield-side of the foul line and at no point—even after catching the ball—appeared to actually block the runner. Accordingly, the out call was upheld.

In Miami, Marlins TV took exception to a Pirates challenge of the home plate collision rule and HP Umpire Chris Guccione's out call when catcher Nick Fortes tagged Pittsburgh baserunner Michael Taylor out at home on a throw from first baseman Josh Bell. In this situation, replays indicate the catcher initially set up straddling the foul line, which could theoretically lend itself to a blocking call.

However, OBR 6.01(i)(2) continues, "Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."

Replays indicate first baseman Bell was on the infield grass when he threw home and from this drawn-in position, catcher Fortes' potentially blocking occupation is exempted as legal by rule.

Finally, Chicago took a 9th-inning lead over the Rangers when HP Umpire Chad Fairchild did not notice a foul ball off the bat of Cubs batter Miles Mastrobuoni. As the ball bounced away from Rangers catcher Jonah Heim, Cubs baserunner R2 Michael Busch took off from second base and, as Heim continued to argue the call during live action, took two bases, scoring a run, on the passed ball-turned-wild pitch (scoring decision).

To our chagrin (we've been asking for this for years but it still hasn't happened), this play is not reviewable.

Video as follows:

Runner's Hand Hits Ball During Celebration - Interference?

In the bottom of the 6th inning of the Women's College World Series, Oklahoma batter Rylie Boone hit a double to right-center field. As Florida State outfielder Jahni Kerr's throw returned to the infield, first baseman Bethaney Keen prepared to catch it, but before the softball could get to Keen, it hit the outstretched arms of Boone, who stood atop second base celebrating her hit. Umpires no-called the sequence as Boone advanced to third base on the throwing error charged to Kerr.

The question we received is whether or not this should have been declared interference—or at least a dead ball. To answer, we begin as we always do with the relevant rulebook, the NCAA Softball rules.

Rules 11.18 & 12.17 define interference as "an act that denies a defensive player a reasonable opportunity to make a play (field/throw) anywhere on the playing field. The act may be intentional or unintentional, and the ball must have been playable."

Replays indicate the offensive player's act denied a defensive player a reasonable opportunity to receive a throw, but not to make the throw itself (similar to runner's lane interference with the fielder taking the throw, not the one giving it). The act was unintentional insofar as the runner did not appear to intend to interfere and the ball appeared potentially playable to infielder Keen, who lined up to catch the throw before it struck the runner's outstretched hand.

Rule 12.4.6 states a runner is out "when they commit an act of interference" but because the definition is somewhat vague regarding this play, we continued reading to Rule 12.17.2.1.5.2: "The runner may not at any time unnecessarily wave their arms or verbally distract the fielder."

Although it would appear the runner did not verbally distract any fielder, could one deem that the celebratory gesture constituted a violation of the "unnecessarily wave their arms" provision?

What's your call? Choose carefully, because if this is interference, the required penalty is the runner is out. If this is not interference, the runner is safe at third on the throwing error. There is no intermediate option (e.g., the rules do not allow an umpire to call "Time" and place the runner back on second base).

Video as follows:

Tmac's Teachable - Ted & Tumpane's Teamwork

Tuesday's Tmac's Teachable talks to Ted & Tumpane's teamwork as Crew Chief Barrett at third base & HP Umpire John officiated a game-ending play in Houston.

With two out and Yuri Gurriel on first base in the 11th inning of a 3-3 Orioles-Astros game, batter Robinson Chirinos hit a 3-2 fastball from Baltimore pitcher Branden Kline for a line drive down the left field line, ruled fair by 3B Umpire Barrett. With Gurriel running on the full-count, two-out pitch, Barrett quickly released the ball into The Left Field Corner and watched Gurriel's touch of third base as HP Umpire Tumpane moved into position for a play at the plate.

Another fine example of crew mechanics.

As Orioles catcher Chance Sisco prepared to receive the cutoff throw, baserunner Gurriel began his slide, crashing head-first into Sisco as the ball arrived at home plate.

Sidebar: This is also an example of a legal home plate collision situation; had Gurriel not slid and instead crashed into the catcher on this same trajectory (via foul territory), this would be a legal play as the catcher without the ball (but legally fielding the throw) moved into the runner's base path...compare and contrast with Marisnick play in which the catcher was positioned entirely in fair territory at the time of the collision).
Related Post: HP Collision Rule - Marisnick Illegally Hits Lucroy (7/8/19).

F2 legally blocks R1 while fielding the throw.

Tumpane, who began the play third-baseline extended and on the catcher's left hip, effected a position adjustment by moving to his right, ruling the runner safe at home upon observing that Sisco had dropped the baseball, which was affirmed via Replay Review.

The lesson here is twofold: First, as the third base umpire, don't over-hustle by immediately chasing a ball into the outfield. There is a time and place for going out on a batted ball, and a bounding ball already ruled fair may not be one of those times, given the situation of a runner already on base.

Be patient and locate the ball before your call.

That said, in four-person umpiring, the crew could have easily adjusted to U3 running into the outfield via rotation (plate umpire Tumpane would take the touch at third & 1B Umpire Ramon De Jesus would rotate to take the play at the plate). But in a crew of three or two, coverage becomes more difficult when an umpire goes out. Bear that in mind and do as Barrett does by keeping your head on a swivel to prepare for either eventuality.

Finally, as the plate umpire preparing to take a play at home, start at your point of plate and move with the catcher's hip as the projected tag play dictates. At the moment of truth, adjust your position to locate the baseball and runner while slowing down your call.

Video as follows: