Base Coach Interference Visits Giants Game

The rarely seen interference: base coach assist call made an appearance during the mammoth 7th inning of San Francisco's lopsided victory over Pittsburgh, with 3B Umpire Laz Diaz ruling Giants baserunner R2 Austin Slater out at third base after a crew conference determination that 3B Coach Mark Hallberg illegally assisted him in returning to third base.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(8) governs this play and states that it is interference by a runner when, "in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists them in returning to or leaving third base or first base."

Diaz originally ruled Slater safe on a close play at third featuring a collision with Pirates third baseman Rodolfo Castro during which the ball popped out of Castro's glove due to the force of the players coming together. After request from Pirates manager Derek Shelton, the crew convened and Slater was ruled out for the coach assist interference (Giants manager Gabe Kapler did not argue).

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Giants runner Slater out for base coach assist during blowout vs Pirates