Seattle's Slide Rule Interference Confusion On Rule Sets

After Mariners shortstop JP Crawford caught Kolten Wong's throw to force out Pirates runner R1 Jack Suwinski at second base, his throw to try and retire batter-runner Tucupita Marcano hit Suwinski's shoulder and flew into the stands, resulting in a throwing error and extra base for Marcano on the force out.

Seattle manager Scott Servais argued with 2B Umpire Marvin Hudson that Suwinski should have been out for violating MLB's bona fide slide rule 6.01(j) because he failed to slide into second base. With replays indicating that Suwinski didn't slide at all and instead ran directly to and through the base, we have to examine professional baseball's slide interference rule to determine whether Servais was correct or not.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j), sliding to bases on double play attempts, states that interference occurs under the following circumstance: "If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, they should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01."

However, replays indicate that while baserunner Suwinski didn't slide, neither did he initiate contact with the fielder. Under OBR, a runner is not obligated to slide on force plays. Instead, the only rule to get a double play here would be OBR 6.01(a)(5) and interference for retired runners: "Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

However, the comment to the rule also states, "If the batter or a runner continues to advance or returns or attempts to return to his last legally touched base after they have been put out, he shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders."

Thus, under OBR, Suwinski's shoulder-ball interaction is not illegal and an interference no-call is the correct call.

Under NCAA, however, Suwinski would be guilty of interference and if this was a college game, Marcano declared out for a double play: "On any force play, the runner, in the vicinity of the base, must slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases. It is permissible for the slider’s momentum to carry them through the base in the baseline extended."

As for NFHS, the high school rulebook states, "Simply stated, the runner never has to slide," going onto state that if the runner does slide, said runner is bound by the force play slide rule in use under NCAA's ruleset.

Video as follows:

Teachable - Taking Tag Plays While Umpiring 3rd Base

For this Teachable Moment about taking plays at third base, tmac analyzes two similar plays that were positionally different: one called by 3B Umpire Roberto Ortiz and the other by Alan Porter. At the heart of the umpires' positions is where the fielder taking the throw (usually the third baseman) is standing as they prepare to tag the incoming runner. Umpire positioning changes based on whether the fielder is positioned on the infield side of third base, as occurred during the Ortiz play, or is on the outfield side, as was the case in Porter's play.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 078 - Edwin Moscoso (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (ball two call; QOCN) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Orioles-#Yankees game. With two out and two on, Orioles batter Gunnar Henderson took a 1-1 sweeper from Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.74, pz 2.27), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0.

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 78th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 34 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 6; BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Aaron Boone's 1st ejection since May 21 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = Y-c [Replay Review]).

This is Edwin Moscoso's 1st ejection since Sept 16, 2022 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

PitchCom Fails, Causes Balk in Mets-Cubs Game

With Nico Hoerner batting for the Cubs with runners on first and second base, 3B Umpire Rob Drake called Mets pitcher Kodai Senga for a balk when Senga's PitchCom system failed and he tried to reset on the mound with catcher Francisco Alvarez in the dark on Senga's signs.

Beginning in 2023, MLB allows pitchers to tell catchers what pitch they would like to throw by using the PitchCom button input device, which Senga wore on his belt.

The 0-2 pitch to Hoerner began when Senga engaged the pitching rubber with his hands separated. He then started to press PitchCom buttons with his pitching hand (while holding the ball), and with two runners on base, covered his throwing hand with his glove hand, giving the appearance that his hands had been brought together, as in Set Position.

PitchCom malfunctioned and when Senga realized his button-pressing wasn't working, he dropped his hands to his side and was called for a balk for removing a hand (his glove) from the ball after having brought them together, as in Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(10): "The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base."

With two runners on base, this resulted in a balk.

Video as follows:

Pitch Clock Chaos - Introducing The Contreras Rule

Arizona's Josh Rojas tried to cause Phillies pitcher Craig Kimbrel to commit a pitch clock violation in Philadelphia. Instead, HP Umpire Junior Valentine warned Rojas under MLB's new Contreras Rule.

In the top of the 10th inning of the D-Backs-Phillies game, Rojas stepped to the plate and quickly fell into a 0-2 hole. After HP Umpire Valentine called "Time" and warned Kimbrel about coming set before the batter was ready (in the box and alert to the pitcher), Rojas tried taking advantage of the situation by deliberately delaying his return to the batter's box after a pitch, going so far as to initially look at Kimbrel while placing one foot in and one foot out (or touching the line, but certainly not in a hitting stance), before stepping into a hitting stance but keeping his head focused on the dirt near home plate, so as to cause Kimbrel to come set prior to Rojas having both feet in the box and being alert to the pitcher—which is a Scherzer Rule violation.

Instead, HP Umpire Valentine called "Time" and warned Rojas under MLB's new Contreras Rule, so-named after a memo baseball sent to teams in the wake of Willson Contreras' inducement of pitch clock violations by Kenley Jansen, effected by straddling the batter's box and delaying his assumption of "in the box and alert."

The memo declares that from now on, a batter shall be warned and then assessed a strike on subsequent violations if they engage with (look at) the pitcher with one or both feet in the batter's box, and then try to appeal to the umpire that the pitcher has violated the Scherzer Rule.

Immediately thereafter, Kimbrel committed another violation, resulting in an automatic ball penalty, for coming set at the 18-second mark of the 20-second pitch clock and Rojas not in the box or alert.

This led to more arguments and even a brief confrontation between Kimbrel and Rojas before Rojas struck out to end the bizarre at-bat.

Earlier in the game, Philadelphia's Bryce Harper was called for a pitch timer violation for requesting "Time" twice during a single plate appearance (both before the first pitch was thrown!). Harper had alleged the pitcher violated the Scherzer rule for coming set and bringing both hands together before Harper was alert, but the pitcher was actually in hybrid and thus considered to be in Windup Position, which is exempt from the Scherzer Rule.

What will the next new pitch clock rule be? | Video as follows:

A Textbook Ejection with Umpire Patience and Firm Warning

High-A HP Umpire Jaylen Goodman's ejection of Jersey Shore BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski for arguing a fair ball call vs Wilmington exemplified patience by allowing the aggrieved skipper time to make his point, a firm warning when it was time to move on, and finally a proper follow-through on the ejection when the manager failed to heed the warning and instead followed the umpire who was walking away (as opposed to an umpire walking toward a player who is walking away).

This ejection serves as a contrast to the umpire-walks-after-player ejection from Cincinnati.

Report: MLB Ejections 076-77 - Will Little (3-4; STL x2) (5/23/23).

The ordinarily-calling umpire on the fair/foul call down the right field line, 1B Umpire Warren Eubanks did not see where a line drive hit over his head landed. After making no call, he pivoted toward second base to take the batter-runner (it's a two-person crew in this High-A game), while HP Umpire Goodman reportedly signaled fair so that someone from the crew had a call on that play.

Brodzinski argued afterward and, after a lengthy discussion, was warned and  ultimately ejected by Goodman. As the non-ejecting umpire, Eubanks stood to the side until the ejection occurred and it was time to escort Brodzinski off the field, but did so in a way where he allowed Brodzinski to speak while making his way back to the dugout.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 076-77 - Will Little (3-4; STL x2)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado and manager Oliver Marmol (strike one call; QOCN) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Cardinals-#Reds game. With one out and one on (R1), Cardinals batter Arenado took a 1-0 cutter from Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.42, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.36 / RAD 3.48 / MOE 3.55]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 4-1. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

These are Will Little (93)'s 3rd and 4th ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 76th and 77th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th player ejection of 2023.

This is the 36th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 36 Managers, 34 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 5/6th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 6; MIL 4; CIN, PIT 3; CHC 2).

This is Nolan Arenado's 1st ejection since Aug 24, 2022 (John Libka; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Oliver Marmol's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 5 (Junior Valentine; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Phil Nevin; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/23/23 | Video as follows:

Ozuna Hits Smith on Backswing - What Can a Catcher Do?

For the second time in less than a year, Braves batter Marcell Ozuna's backswing on a fly ball hit Dodgers catcher Will Smith in the mask. HP Umpire Alan Porter quickly stepped in to guide Smith away while an on-deck batter grabbed Ozuna, but we ask if rules-wise, there was anything illegal or ejectable about the play? What can a catcher do to lessen the likelihood of this contact?

First and foremost, it's important to note that no ejectable action occurred. Ozuna unintentionally made contact with Smith on the backswing—as acknowledged by Smith during postgame comments as unintentional. Had this been deemed an intentional act, it would be an ejection for unsporting conduct in striking an opponent on purpose.

Second, with no runners on base and no play at home plate, this is not backswing interference. The only scenario in which backswing interference occurs is when the catcher is prevented from catching a pitch with runner(s) on base, the catcher is attempting to throw out said runners, the pitch is a third strike, or there is a play to be made at home plate. Note that in high school, the NFHS rule is dead ball, batter out for follow-through interference no matter if a runner is retired or not.

Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(4) Comment: "If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard they carry the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of them on the backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play."

Third, Ozuna is not out for being outside the batter's box and hitting a ball because...his foot was touching the back line of the batter's box, which is considered in. That's found in OBR 6.03(a)(1): "A batter is out for illegal action when they hit a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter's box."

Finally, we mathematically prove that catcher Smith had mere inches to work with in regard to positioning at the back of the catcher's box due to the batter's arm length and bat length, as well as the 5' 8½" catcher's box that just barely evades the Ozuna's arm + bat length...and that would require Smith to crouch on the back line of the catcher's box—because no human being is only 2½" inches thick.

Video as follows:

Challenge Checkup - Umpire Matsuda 6-for-6 w Ejections

We check in on the Triple-A ball/strike challenge system as the Red Wings and Bisons used all six of their combined challenges on HP Umpire Taka Matsuda's ball/strike calls in Buffalo, leading to a later ejection of Rochester pitcher Tyler Danish for arguing balls and strikes when his team was out of challenges. The challenge process takes about 15-20 seconds and, here, upheld all six of Matsuda's calls.

HP Umpire Matsuda also ejected Rochester's manager Matthew LeCroy for arguing a check swing call by 3B Umpire Andrew Koerkel, positioned inside at C in a crew of three.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 075 - Paul Emmel (3; Max Muncy)

3B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Dodgers 3B Max Muncy (strike three call by HP Umpire Nic Lentz; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Dodgers-#Cardinals game. With one out and none on, Muncy took a 2-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.41, pz 1.55 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 3-1. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.44 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

^The immediately preceding pitch, ruled ball two, was also located in the strike zone.

This is the 75th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 33rd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 33 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Los Angeles' 3rd ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL West (ARI, COL 4; LAD 3; SD 2; SF 0).

This is Max Muncy's 1st ejection since Sept 10, 2020 (Doug Eddings; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Paul Emmel's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 16 (Tucupita Marcano; QOC = Y [balls/strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs St Louis Cardinals, 5/21/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 074 - Emil Jimenez (3; David Bell)

HP Umpire Emil Jimenez ejected Reds manager David Bell (quick pitch no-call) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#Reds game. With none out and none on, Reds batter Luke Maile took a first-pitch changeup from Yankees pitcher Wandy Peralta for a called first ball. Bell contended that Yankees pitcher Peralta quick pitched not just Maile but preceding batter Kevin Newman. Replays conclusively indicate that Peralta did not quick pitch Maile pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(7)'s "reasonably set" standard, as Maile was reasonably set prior to Peralta starting delivery from Set Position, but do not conclusively indicate whether a quick pitch occurred pursuant to OBR 5.07(a)(2)'s "deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard" judgment standard. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 4-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Emil Jimenez (82)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

OBR 5.07(a)(2): "With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball."

OBR 6.02(a)(7): "A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted."

This is the 74th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 32 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the NL Central (MIL, STL 4; CIN, PIT 3; CHC 2).

This is David Bell's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 19 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

This is Emil Jimenez's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 13 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/21/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 073 - Brian O'Nora (2; Aaron Boone)

2B Umpire Brian O'Nora ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (overturned Replay Review fair/foul and runner placement call by 1B Umpire Nestor Ceja; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Yankees-#Reds game. With two out and one on (R1), Reds batter Spencer Steer hit a 2-2 slider from Yankees pitcher Luis Severino on a fly ball to right fielder Jake Bauers, ruled foul by Ceja. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Reds manager David Bell, Ceja's call was overturned to a fair ball and baserunner R1 Jonathan India was placed at home, scoring a run. Replays indicate that with two outs, India was running on the pitch and that Yankees outfielder Bauers dropped the fly ball in fair territory such that India would likely have scored had the correct fair ball call been made as the initial call. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Brian O'Nora (7)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

This is the 73rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th manager ejections of 2023. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 32 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 5; BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 15 (Clint Vondrak; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brian O'Nora's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 19 (David Bell; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/21/23 | Video as follows: