Obstruction Enforcement Has Dropped - What's Going On?

After MLB made base blocking obstruction a point of emphasis prior to the 2024 season, we saw several instances of enforcement during Spring Training. But as the season progresses, obstruction calls have decreased, leaving some otherwise-obstruction calls going unanswered.

This video features a Yankees-Guardian obstruction play at first base wherein the first baseman appears to block the runner's path with a leg while fielding to the opposite side of the base.

To be clear, Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(1) has not changed and obstruction is still "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."

Instead, the point-of-emphasis instructs umpires to call obstruction when fielders illegally block runners at the base (mainly on pickoffs and steals). When a fielder has the ball, they are protected and can block a runner, but the POE concerns the "in the act of fielding" exception to obstruction liability, with a specific focus on fielders who use this exception as a loophole to block a runner's access when their act of fielding has nothing to do with needing to occupy space in the runner's path to catch the ball.

Seeking to close this loophole, MLB has now clarified that it is still obstruction when a fielder who is in the act of fielding blocks a runner's path to the base by placing a leg or foot in their way, when the fielder did not need to occupy that space (and did not need to block the runner) in order to field the ball.

Ejection 017 (Cory Blaser tosses Dave Martinez) was all about an obstruction no-call on a stolen base attempt by 2B Umpire Nate Tomlinson, who initially ruled Washington baserunner Ildemaro Vargas out at second base, a call affirmed by Replay Review after Martinez's challenge.

Because obstruction is not a reviewable play (go figure, home plate collision/plate blocking and sliding into a base to break up a double play are reviewable, but 'ordinary' obstruction and interference are not), Replay couldn't look at the obstruction aspect of the play, which left its sole task as determining whether or not the runner was tagged off-base with the ball, which he was, so he was called out.

Hence, Replay Review due to its reviewable vs not reviewable dichotomy highlights even more how an on-field obstruction call is vital, and also, how these on-field calls are dropping like fly balls to Fred Snodgrass.

Video as follows:

The Myth of the Out for Turning the Wrong Way

When Phillies 1B Bryce Harper tagged out Cardinals batter-runner Victor Scott in St Louis, the home broadcast speculated 1B Umpire Adam Hamari called Scott out for a "turn the wrong way" violation after hitting an infield single and sprinting past first base.

Let's review the rule and clear up the myth that simply turning into fair territory puts a runner in jeopardy of being tagged out after overrunning first base.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(11) makes no mention of which way to turn, but instead states, "Any runner is out when they fail to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. If they attempt to run to second they are out when tagged..."

The phrase "if they attempt to run to second" is interpreted as a physical indication from the batter-runner that they are attempting to advance beyond first base. For most plays of this nature—and true for the Scott play here as well—this manifests by a sudden shuffle of the feet as the player turns his body and moves toward the next base.

This is deemed an attempt to advance and, thus, puts the batter-runner in jeopardy of being tagged out while off the base due to overrun protection ending at the moment said player attempts to advance.

In sum, although "turning the wrong way" can provide a clue that a batter-runner has lost overrun/overslide protection, simply turning toward fair territory/the left is not ample evidence alone to suggest such a player has fulfilled the "attempt to run to second" portion of the rule.

By a similar token, turning toward foul territory may not be entirely foolproof either, as many a batter-runner has turned to the right before then changing course and attempting to advance—however briefly.

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers, 4/18/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 017 - Cory Blaser (1; Dave Martinez)

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Nationals manager Dave Martinez (obstruction no-call [out call] by 2B Umpire Nate Tomlinson; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Astros-Nationals game. With two out and one on, Nationals baserunner Ildemaro Vargas attempted to steal second base on a 2-2 fastball from Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly to Nationals batter CJ Abrams, Astros catcher Yainer Diaz to shortstop Jeremy Peña, ruled out by 2B Umpire Tomlinson and affirmed following Replay Review as a result of a challenge by Nationals manager Martinez. Replays indicate the runner appeared to be tagged prior to touching second base, but that he was obstructed by virtue of fielder Peña illegally placing his leg in the path of the runner without the ball and without needing to occupy that space to field the ball, the call was incorrect. Obstruction is not a reviewable play. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 5-2. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 17th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 7th manager ejection of 2024.Ejection Tally: 7 Managers, 3 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Nationals' 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (WAS 2; MIA, NYM 1; ATL, PHI 0).

This is Dave Martinez's 1st ejection since June 28, 2023 (Derek Thomas; QOC = Y [Base Path]).

This is Cory Blaser's 1st ejection since August 24, 2023 (David Popkins; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Washington Nationals, 4/19/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 016 - Todd Tichenor (2; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (fair ball call by 3B Umpire Nestor Ceja; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Rangers-#Tigers game. With two out and two on, Rangers batter Adolis García hit a 1-1 splitter from Tigers pitcher Shelby Miller on the ground to third base, fielded by third baseman Gio Urshela and ruled fair by Ceja; García was retired at first base after he didn't initially run during the play. Replays indicate the baseball bounded over third base as it passed the bag, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 8-7. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 9-7.

This is Todd Tichenor (13)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*The Official Baseball Rules definition states, "A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that...is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base."

This is the 16th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 6th manager ejection of 2024.Ejection Tally: 6 Managers, 3 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Texas' 1st ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA, TEX 1; HOU, OAK 0).

This is Bruce Bochy's 1st ejection since Sept 19, 2023 (Ben May; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Todd Tichenor's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since March 30 (Génesis Cabrera; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers, 4/18/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 015 - Dan Iassogna (1; Ryan Goins)

3B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Angels infield coach Ryan Goins (balk no-call on Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Angels-#Rays game. With one out and two on, Angels batter Anthony Rendon took a 1-2 slider from Rays pitcher Fairbanks as baserunner R2 Jo Adell successfully stole third base. Goins argued Fairbanks balked due to failing to come to a stop prior to delivery while in Set Position with runners on base. Replays indicate pitcher Fairbanks momentarily stopped, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-3. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(13) states, "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

This is the 15th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd coach ejection of 2024.Ejection Tally: 5 Managers, 3 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Los Angeles' 1st ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA 1; HOU, OAK, TEX 0).

This is Ryan Goins' first career MLB ejection.

This is Dan Iassogna's 1st ejection since Sept 19, 2023 (Ryan Noda; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Tampa Bay Rays of St Pete, 4/17/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 014 - Ryan Wills (1; John Schneider)

HP Umpire Ryan Wills ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (strike one call to Vladimir Guerrero; QOCN) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#BlueJays game. With two out and one on, Blue Jays batter Guerrero took a first-pitch sinker from Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.12, pz 1.48 [sz_bot 1.75 / RAD 1.63 / MOE 1.55]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-4. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Ryan Wills (20)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 0.84 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 14th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th manager ejection of 2024.

Ejection Tally: 5 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Toronto's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL East (TOR 2; BOS, NYY 1; BAL, TB 0).

This is John Schneider's 1st ejection since Aug 10, 2023 (Jeremie Rehak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Wills' 1st ejection since May 14, 2023 (Bryce Harper; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, 4/17/24 | Video as follows:

John Libka's Time Play Washout and Umpiring Mechanics

Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez's heads up play to throw Reds runner Elly De La Cruz out at third base after catching Nick Martini's fly ball saved Seattle a run, as HP Umpire John Libka ruled R3 Jake Fraley did not score prior to the time play's third out.

We review umpiring mechanics for time play situations—especially of the sacrifice fly-turned-inning-ending-double-play variety—and clarify (again) that an appeal play on a runner for failing to retouch (tag up) after a caught fly ball is not considered a force play, and thus, subject to time play rules.

Time Play Basics: Official Baseball Rule 5.08(a) states that, "One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three players are put out to end the inning." This means that on plays where a third out may occur, it is incumbent on the home plate umpire to prepare for the possibility that they will have to determine whether or not a preceding runner touched home plate prior to the third out being recorded behind them.

On this play, HP Umpire Libka lined up to see both Cincinnati baserunner R3 Fraley's impending touch of home plate and Seattle third baseman Josh Rojas' diving tag attempt on Reds runner R2 De La Cruz. When 3B Umpire Jonathan Parra, himself moving with the play to find the keyhole angle, called R2 De La Cruz out on the tag for the inning's third out, Libka emerged from behind home plate to indicate via the washout signal (similar to a "safe" sign except the arms are more elevated) that R3 Fraley's run would not score, as Fraley hadn't yet touched home plate prior to the third out on De La Cruz.

Exceptions to Time Plays: OBR 5.08(a) provides for three time play exceptions, meaning that even if a lead runner touches home prior to the third out, the run still will not count if the third out is a result of one of these scenarios. These are 1) a batter-runner retired before touching first base, 2) any runner being forced out, and 3) an appeal play for missing a base made on a preceding (ahead of) runner.

Appeal Plays: If any appeal play results on a preceding runner being declared out for the third out of the inning, no following runner is allowed to score. But if an appeal play is made on a following runner, then the preceding runner's run is treated as a Time Play—if the preceding runner touches home prior to the third out, the run will count. It is a rules myth that all tag-up or retouch appeals are treated as force plays—they are not, and are subject to timing rules if the runner being retired is trailing/following/behind the lead runner who is trying to score.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 013 - Laz Diaz (1; Skip Schumaker)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Marlins manager Skip Schumaker (pitch clock violation no-call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Giants-#Marlins game. With two out and none on, following Marlins batter Avisaíl García's strikeout, Giants manager Bob Melvin visited the mound to replace pitcher Ryan Walker. Giants left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Rogers, warming in the bullpen, entered the playing field and began jogging toward the infield, only for Melvin to then signal with his right arm that he wanted a right-handed pitcher instead. Rogers returned to the bullpen as relief pitcher Camilo Doval (having since warmed up where Rogers had been pitching from moments earlier) stepped onto the warning track. After subsequent Marlins batter Nick Gordon took a first-pitch strike from Doval to make the count 0-1, Schumaker was ejected arguing the count should be 1-1 due to a pitch clock violation on San Francisco for taking too long to provide a substitute pitcher.

The pitch timer rules state that when a substitute pitcher is called into the game, the pitching change timer is started upon the umpire's signal to the bullpen. However, regardless of how much time has expired, if the substitute pitcher steps onto the warning track with under two minutes remaining on the clock, then the timer is automatically reset to 2:00, which is what the clock operator in Miami did here. Furthermore, Official Baseball Rule 5.10(j) pertaining to substitutions states that a pitcher not yet announced is not considered into the game until "they take their place on the pitcher’s plate"; there is no mechanism for a pitch clock violation in this scenario provided the pitcher concluded his on-field warmups timely, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 4-3. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 13th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th manager ejection of 2024.

Ejection Tally: 4 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Miami's 1st ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, NYM, WAS 1; ATL, PHI 0).

This is Skip Schumaker's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2023 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since September 7, 2023 (Turner Ward; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Miami Marlins, 4/15/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 012 - Edwin Moscoso (1; Aroldis Chapman)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Pirates pitcher Aroldis Chapman (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Pirates-#Mets game. With none out and none on, Mets batter Francisco Alvarez struck out, Jeff McNeil struck out but advanced to first on a wild pitch by Chapman, DJ Stewart walked, both runners stole bases, and Harrison Bader doubled to score both runners. During Chapman's appearance prior to ejection, Moscoso officiated 14-of-15 callable pitches correctly (93.3%), the call was correct.*

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*The incorrect ball call during Alvarez's at-bat was the only miss of the inning; three pitches later, Alvarez was called out on strikes. By rule, 93% accuracy when the miss occurs during an at-bat that favors the ejected results in a QOCY decision.

This is the 12th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 7th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Chapman's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER, L.

Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Pittsburgh's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 2; CHC, CIN, MIL, STL 0).

This is Aroldis Chapman's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is Edwin Moscoso's 1st ejection since August 8, 2023 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Out/Safe]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets, 4/15/24 | Video as follows:

Nestor Cortes Fake Pitch - Legal or Illegal?

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes executed an unusual delivery against Cleveland, pantomiming a fake pitch during his windup to Guardians batter Andrés Giménez. HP Umpire Mark Carlson and crew no-called the peculiar sequence, but with such a bizarre pitch, was there a rules violation to enforce?

This isn't Cortes' first unorthodox delivery, as in early 2023, Cortes reacted to HP Umpire Reed Basner's quick pitch (automatic ball) call by drawing out his windup and throwing a "slow pitch" instead. We discussed its legality, finding that although the quick pitch comes with its own penalty (automatic ball with the bases empty or a balk with runners on base), a "slow" pitch does not.

Article: Legality of Nestor Cortes' Delay from Windup Position (3/28/23).

This time around, Cortes added a fake pitch motion prior to his actual throw, leading to similar questions as to its legality. Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(1) governing Windup Position states, "Any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot."

If an umpire deems Cortes failed to heed the "without interruption or alteration" portion of this rule, the penalty wouldn't be the same as if Cortes were to have pitched from off the rubber (illegal pitch), thrown a quick return pitch (illegal pitch), or taken an additional step during delivery (treated as an illegal pitch). The penalty for all these would be an automatic ball added to the count; had there been runners on base, it would be treated as a balk instead.

But simple violation of the "without interruption or alteration" part of the rule alone, while grounds for a potential balk call had there been runners on base (e.g., under OBR 6.02(a)(1)), with the bases empty, there is no penalty as there would be for a bona fide illegal pitch.

Accordingly, the only remedy is a "don't do that" instruction to the pitcher, which does not carry with it a ball added to the count or other real gameplay penalty.

Video as follows: