Fan Interference in the World Series (Plus a C&C)

We review a first-inning spectator interference play in New York during Game 4 of #Dodgers-#Yankees World Series when a fan was ejected for prying open Mookie Betts' glove during a catch and Alex Verdugo's catch and carry play during Game 1 in Los Angeles.

First, in the 10th inning of Game 1, with one out and runners on first and second base, Yankees outfielder Verdugo ran to catch Dodgers batter Shohei Ohtani's fly ball in foul territory along the left field warning track, catching the baseball before falling into the stands and attempting to throw the ball back to the field to hold the runners.

LF Umpire Chad Fairchild ruled Ohtani out on the catch and awarded runners R1 and R2 one base each pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(3)(C) pertaining to catch-and-carry situations, which states, "If a fielder, after having made a legal catch, should step or fall into any out-of-play area, the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base, without liability to be put out, from their last legally touched base at the time the fielder entered such out-of-play area."

Finally, in Game 4 in New York, RF Umpire Mark Carlson called spectator interference when a front-row fan reached over the foul fence as Dodgers outfielder Betts was attempting to catch Gleyber Torres' fly ball. 

For this play, the relevant rules are found in the definitions: "Spectator interference occurs when a spectator (or an object thrown by the spectator) hinders a player’s attempt to make a play on a live ball, by going onto the playing field, or reaching out of the stands and over the playing field," and OBR 6.01(e): "When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in their opinion will nullify the act of interference."

Thus, to nullify the act, Torres was declared out and the fans ultimately ejected not by the umpires, but by Yankee Stadium security.

Video as follows:

Did Manny Machado Interfere with Freddie Freeman's Throw?

Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman's throw hit Padres baserunner Manny Machado's back during San Diego's NLDS Game 3 win over LA, but was the runner legal or did Manny commit interference? Umpires ruled the play legal, but analysts were more divided on the play's legality. Let's get into the rulebook and figure out what happened and what the correct call was.

Padres batter Jackson Merrill hit a ground ball to Dodgers first baseman Freeman, whose throw to second base struck Machado in the upper back before caroming into left field, allowing Machado to advance to third base during a six-run rally in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 1B Umpire Dan Bellino and 2B Umpire Tripp Gibson, the two relevant umpires for this play, no-called the sequence, ruling Machado's baserunning legal.

To determine whether Machado interfered or not, we first must cite the relevant rule, which is Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10), which states, "It is interference by a batter or runner when they fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interfere with a thrown ball."

Note that we are looking not solely for interference, but intentional interference with a thrown ball. The standard of intentional refers to deliberate action, such as waving of arms, hip check, or looking back after the throw is made and adjusting one's body position into the throw as a result of the look-back. Note that under the intentional standard, non-deliberate interference (e.g., being struck by the ball without any of the aforementioned intentionality indicators) is legal.

Replays indicate Machado began veering to his left prior to Freeman's release of the baseball. With no throw, there can be no OBR 6.01(a)(10) interference, and thus Machado's steps to his left prior to the throw mitigate potential intentional interference.

Two additional considerations from broadcasters and fans are runner's lane interference and out of the base path.

We first discuss the out of the base path issue, noting that the runner shall only be called for running out of the base path when they run more than three feet away from their established base path to avoid a fielder's tag. Since there was no tag attempt, and thus no base path to consider (OBR 5.09(b)(1): "A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs"), there can be no out of the base path call.

Finally, runner's lane interference, referred to by analyst Alex Rodriguez, does not apply to this play, since OBR 5.09(a)(11) states, in part, "...in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base." The throw was not being made to first base and, furthermore, the runner's lane only exists between home plate and first base. There is no runner's lane between 1B and 2B, thus no RLI call to make.

A similar play occurred in September 2022, when HP Umpire Chad Fairchild no-called Nick Senzel's throw hitting Andrew Knizner in the back during a Reds-Cardinals game.

In conclusion, this is a legal play. | Video as follows:

Did Brewers Fan Interfere with Alonso by Pushing Net?

Did a Brewers fan commit interference by pushing the protective netting as Mets first baseman Pete Alonso attempted to catch William Contreras' fly ball along the fence-line?

With two out and two in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Mets-Brewers Wild Card deciding Game 3, the spectator displaced the protective netting MLB mandated be installed along the infield at all stadiums for fan safety by pushing it toward the playing field, on and over the warning track.

Alonso, tracking the foul fly, failed to catch it as it landed near the fan in question, on the warning track, as 1B Umpire Alan Porter signaled "safe": no catch and no interference.

Does this constitute interference?

The definition of spectator interference states, "Spectator interference occurs when a spectator (or an object thrown by the spectator) hinders a player’s attempt to make a play on a live ball, by going onto the playing field, or reaching out of the stands and over the playing field."

Even though the rule does not specifically address the case of a fan pushing a loose infield net over the field but not themself reaching out of the stands, yes, this play is eligible for spectator interference, which is also a reviewable play (it wasn't challenged). Furthermore, pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(e), the batter may be called out for the actions of the interfering fan.

With that in mind, what's your call? Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 186 - Marvin Hudson (2; AJ Hinch)

HP Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Tigers manager AJ Hinch (Replay Review decision that upheld 2B Umpire Nick Mahrley's catch [out] call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Tigers game. With none out and none on, Tigers batter Zach McKinstry hit a 2-2 fastball from White Sox pitcher Enyel De Los Santos on a fly ball to right fielder Dominic Fletcher, who attempted to catch the baseball near the outfield wall, ruled a catch (out) by 2B Umpire Mahrley. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Tigers manager Hinch, the out call stood. Replays indicate the fly ball appeared to touch the outfield wall before being caught by Fletcher, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 9-5. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 9-5.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

This is the 186th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 93rd manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 93 Managers, 32 Coaches, 61 Players.

This is Detroit's 2nd ejection of 2024, T-4th in the AL Central (CWS 10; CLE, KC 3; DET, MIN 2).

This is AJ Hinch's 1st ejection since August 25, 2023 (Laz Diaz; QOC = U [Pitch Clock]).

This is Marvin Hudson's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since Aug 21 (Ryan O'Hearn; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Detroit Tigers, 9/29/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 185 - Jacob Metz (1; Matt Carpenter)

HP Umpire Jacob Metz ejected Cardinals DH Matt Carpenter (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Cardinals-#Giants game. With two out and one on, Cardinals batter Carpenter took a 0-2 fastball from Giants pitcher Austin Warren for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.73, pz 3.31 [sz_top 3.65]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 6-3. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Jacob Metz (94)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

*This pitch was located 2.16 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 185th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 61st player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 92 Managers, 32 Coaches, 61 Players.

This is St Louis' 11th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL Central (STL 11; MIL 9; PIT 7; CHC 6; CIN 5).

This is Matt Carpenter's 1st ejection since Sept 12, 2021 (Doug Eddings; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Jacob Metz's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants, 9/27/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 184 - Ramon De Jesus (2; Carlos Mendoza)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (strike three call to Francisco Alvarez; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Mets-#Brewers game. With two out and two on, Mets batter Alvarez took a 3-2 slider from Brewers pitcher Frankie Montas for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.43, pz 1.38 [sz_bot 1.43 / RAD 1.31]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 5-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 1.80 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 184th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 92nd manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 92 Managers, 31 Coaches, 60 Players.

This is New York's 7th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL East (NYM 7; MIA 6; WAS 5; PHI 4; ATL 1).

This is Carlos Mendoza's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since July 12 (Jeremie Rehak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ramon De Jesus' 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 29 (Jorge López; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs Milwaukee Brewers, 9/27/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 183 - Mark Wegner (2; Spencer Arrighetti)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (ball calls; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Astros-#Guardians game. With none out and none on, Guardians batter Will Brennan walked, Bo Naylor struck out, Daniel Schneemann walked, and Steven Kwan walked. Replays indicate that of the 15 callable pitches thrown during the half inning prior to ejection, all 14 were properly officiated (15/15 = 100% accuracy), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 5-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

This is the 183rd ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 60th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 31 Coaches, 60 Players.

This is Houston's 14th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (HOU 14; OAK 8; LAA, SEA 7; TEX 6).

This is Spencer Arrighetti's first career MLB ejection.

This is Mark Wegner's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since July 22 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Asstros vs Cleveland Guardians of the Galaxy, 9/27/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 182 - Edwin Moscoso (4; Barry Enright)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Angels pitching coach Barry Enright (ball one call to Bryan Ramos; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Angels-#WhiteSox game. With one out and none on, White Sox batter Ramos took a 1-2 sinker from Angels pitcher Ryan Miller for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.60, pz 3.09 [sz_top 3.29 / RAD 3.41 / MOE 3.33]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 3-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

This pitch was located 2.88 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 182nd ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 31st coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 31 Coaches, 59 Players.

This is Los Angeles' 7th ejection of 2024, T-3rd in the AL West (HOU 13; OAK 8; LAA, SEA 7; TEX 6).

This is Barry Enright's first career MLB ejection.

This is Edwin Moscoso's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 22 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y [Foul Tip]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago White Sox, 9/25/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 181 - Nate Tomlinson (1; John Schneider)

HP Umpire Nate Tomlinson ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (ball two call to José Caballero; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #BlueJays-#Rays game. With none out and one on, Rays batter Caballero took a 1-0 sinker from Blue Jays pitcher Genesis Cabrera for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.33, pz 1.31 [sz_bot 1.44 / RAD 1.32]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Nate Tomlinson (114)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 1.08 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 181st ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 91st manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 30 Coaches, 59 Players.

This is Toronto's 10th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 10; BAL, TB 6; BOS 5).

This is John Schneider's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 14 (Gabe Morales; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Nate Tomlinson's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays, 9/22/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 180 - Alan Porter (5; Alex Cora)

3B Umpire Alan Porter ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora (obstruction call by 2B Umpire Dan Merzel on 2B Vaughn Grissom; QOCY) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Twins-#RedSox game. With one out and one on (R2), Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta threw to second baseman Grissom in an attempt to pick off Twins baserunner R2 Byron Buxton at second base, ruled safe by 2B Umpire Merzel. Upon crew consultation, the call was changed to obstruction (Type 1) against infielder Grissom, with baserunner R2 Buxton award third base. Replays indicate fielder Grissom placed his leg and knee in the runner's base path without possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the throw requiring occupation of that space, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s 5th ejection of 2024.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(1): "If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance, without liability to be put out, to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base they had last legally touched before the obstruction."

Related Post: Obstruction Calls Are 2024's Point of Emphasis (2/14/24).

This is the 180th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 90th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 90 Managers, 30 Coaches, 59 Players.

This is Boston's 5th ejection of 2024, 5th in the AL East (NYY 10; TOR 9; BAL, TB 6; BOS 5).

This is Alex Cora's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since July 22 (Mark Wegner; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Alan Porter's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 28 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox (Game 1), 9/22/24 | Video as follows: