Catcher Casali's Detached Equipment Violation (SF-ARI)

When San Francisco's Curt Casali stopped a slowly rolling baseball by using his catcher's mask, HP Umpire Chris Guccione called "Time" and awarded Arizona runners an extra base on the Giants' violation of detached equipment rule 5.06(b)(3)(E), leading to a brief argument and bringing manager Gabe Kapler out of the dugout for an explanation.

Play: With two out and two on in the Diamondbacks' half of the second inning vs SF, Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto's first pitch to D-Backs batter Asdrubal Cabrera bounced in the dirt around home plate, where it was blocked by Giants catcher Casali. Upon blocking the ball, it continued slowly rolling away so Casali, from a crouched position, removed his catcher's mask and used it to stop and cover the baseball.

Call/Rule: Umpire Guccione awarded Arizona runners one base each, ruling a violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(3)(E), which states, "Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when...A fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play, and the award is made from the position of the runner at the time the ball was touched."

Replays indicate Casali's action appeared to feature a deliberate use of detached equipment (the mask) to touch a pitched ball, meaning OBR 5.06(b)(3)(E) was applicable and each runner advanced a base as a result. Upon discussion with Giants Manager Gabe Kapler, after which followed consultation with the remainder of Chief Guccione's crew, the original ruling of detached equipment/pitched ball (one base award) prevailed.

Christian Vasquez's illegal touch in Boston.

Sidebar/Rules Myth: Despite social media or broadcast interference, this is NOT a "catcher's balk" nor does it have anything to do with the balk rule.

Related Rule: It should also be noted that pursuant to OBR 5.06(B)(4)(B), "each runner including the batter-runner may without liability to be out put, advance: Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril." For thrown balls, OBR 5.06(B)(4)(D) applies: "Two bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a thrown ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play."

In Sum: If a fielder deliberately touches a ball with detached equipment, the penalty is one base (if it was a pitched ball), two bases (if it was a thrown ball), or three bases (if it was a batted ball).

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Rules Review of the detached equipment penalty on Casali's mask usage (SF/ARI/CCS)