Category Archives: Rules / Interesting Plays

Before reading this post, please take a moment to refresh yourselves on the bona-fide slide rule by reviewing our educational posts from last year, Sliding to the Base on Double Plays and Wilful and Deliberate Interference

This post is intended to discuss the mechanics for calling interference during a double play attempt. Please note that the Bona-Fide slide rule exists at ALL bases when there is a double-play attempt.

Two-Umpire System

Obviously, this call is most difficult in the two-umpire system due to the inability of the base umpire to continue to watch the initial runner’s slide into the base. The base umpire should remain with the play at the base as long as possible without jeopardizing their ability to see the play at a subsequent base. All plate umpires in the two-umpire system should be focused on and aware of the slide into the base. In the event that the plate umpire observes an illegal slide that is not detected by the base umpire, they are NOT to call the violation from home plate. Rather, they would inform the base umpire a violation has occurred via a crew-consultation. This is due to the fact that, as discussed in the aforementioned previous posts, an illegal slide must still hinder the defense’s attempt to turn the double play, which is solely the judgment of the base umpire.

Three/Four/Six-Umpire System

In systems where there are multiple umpires at the bases where the slide and secondary play will occur, the interference call is SOLELY the responsibility of the umpire responsible for the base at which the slide occurs. Except in the event of an unusual play, such as the deflected throw in an earlier post, there should be no reason to require a crew consultation in order to make this call.

Mechanics of Making the Call

Once the base umpire determines interference has occurred, they shall call “time” immediately, declaring, “that’s interference” while pointing at the runner in violation of the rule. They shall then call the batter-runner out for the interference of the runner who slid illegally. Any other runners on base would then be returned to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch. Should the inning end because of double-play interference, no runs may score. Please note that at the Major League level only, “time” is not called until after the result of the subsequent play is determined, in the event the interference call is overturned by replay review.

We will close this post with two more examples of the application of this rule. The first video is an example of a slide at third base from 2015 that would now be interference under the bona fide slide rule; the second video is an example of an illegal slide at second base that is correctly called “no-interference” because the defense was not attempting to turn a double play.

Non-Bona-Fide Slide at 3B

Non-Bona-Fide Slide (No Interference – Defense NOT Attempting Double Play)

Please note that while unfortunate and against baseball “etiquette”, the spiking of the second baseman by the runner is not illegal, as the contact was below the fielder’s knee. It is the runner’s failure to attempt to remain on the base following the slide, and that action alone, that makes this otherwise bona-fide slide illegal.

Rule Clarification: The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot, or otherwise move his pivot foot during their delivery. With no runners on base, this shall be an illegal pitch pursuant to rule 6.02(b). With a runner or runners on base, this shall be a balk pursuant to rule 6.02(a).

A pitcher is not permitted to jump or push forward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot and then bring this foot to the ground and make a second push off prior to delivering the pitch. This delivery should be considered an “illegal pitch” and with runners on base shall be called a “balk”. With no runners on base it shall be called a “ball”. A pitcher should not be considered to be in violation if he pushes off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot and maintains consistent contact with the ground with his pivot foot without a second push off from the ground.

Rule Clarification: With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher shall be presumed to be pitching from the set position if he has his pivot foot parallel to and in contact with the pitcher’s plate and his other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate and must therefore fulfill the obligations of pitching from the set position prior to delivering a pitch unless, prior to the start of an at-bat, the pitcher notifies the umpire that he is pitching from the windup position. Upon receiving such notification from the pitcher, the umpire shall then inform the offensive team that the pitcher has declared he will be pitching from the wind-up position. In the event a pitcher assumes the rubber consistent with the set position, fails to declare to the umpire he is using the windup, and delivers a pitch from the windup, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk.

Below is a video of a bullpen session featuring David Price. As the video shows, Price initially begins pitching from a legal set position, throwing three pitches as if he is holding a runner on base. As the video progresses however, you will notice that Price, from a starting position consistent with the set position, pitches from a wind-up motion, beginning at approximately 1:05. As you can see from the video, it is impossible to discern whether Price is in the wind-up or set position from his foot position, giving him an advantage with regard to holding a runner on base. The image below identifies the difference between foot position for the wind-up and set positions (from the perspective of a right-handed pitcher).

Any time, with runners on base, if a pitcher assumes a position on the mound consistent with the set position, he must meet the requirements of a legal delivery from the set position (engage the rubber with hands apart, bring them together for a discernible pause, and then deliver to the batter), unless he declares to the plate umpire that he wishes to use a wind-up motion. Once the pitcher declares he will be using the wind-up, he must remain in the wind-up for the duration of the at-bat, unless the hitter is substituted for, there is a change in the position of the runner(s) on base, or the side is retired. In the event that the pitcher does not declare for any reason, he shall be charged with a balk.

Please note that if you observe a pitcher whose wind-up could potentially be in violation of this rule, the first time a situation arises where they may elect to use the wind-up (R3 only, R2/R3, or bases loaded), it is completely acceptable for an umpire to ask the pitcher, on his own accord, if the pitcher intends to use the wind-up.

Coach’s Box Rule

Rule Change: Beginning in 2014, it was a point of emphasis in baseball that no base coach may position themselves closer to home plate and / or fair territory than the boundaries of the coach’s box, prior to a batted ball passing them. This point of emphasis shall now be relaxed – a base coach shall be permitted to stand closer to home plate or fair territory than the coach’s box unless a member of the opposing coaching staff complains. At this point, the umpire shall strictly require the base coaches of both teams to stand entirely within the boundaries of the coach’s box.

From 2014-2016, it would be expected of the umpires to move the coach in the photo below to a position no closer to home plate and fair territory then the perimeter of the coach’s box. This coach shall now be considered in a legal position, unless there is a complaint by the defensive team. Should this occur, the umpires shall ensure both base coaches of both clubs remain entirely in the coach’s boxes.

Please note that it is always acceptable for a base coach to leave their box in order to signal for a runner to advance or slide once a ball has been pitched, as long as they do not interfere with the play in any manner.

No-Pitch Intentional Walk

Rule Change: A defensive team is no longer required to pitch to a batter in order to issue an intentional walk. After receiving a signal from the defensive manager, the plate umpire shall call “time”, award the batter first base. Any runners forced to advance are entitled to do so at this time. Please note a team may still elect to intentionally walk a hitter the “traditional” way.

Furthermore, the plate umpire’s award of first base to the batter shall constitute a pitch or play, meaning an appeal of a missed base, runner leaving early, half swing, batting out of order, or protest shall no longer be considered. A no-pitch intentional walk shall also fulfill a returning or substitute pitcher’s requirement to pitch to at least one batter prior to being eligible to be removed from the game.

First Baseman’s Mitt

Rule Clarification: Upon complaint by the offensive manager or upon their own volition, should the umpire adjudge a fielder other than the one using a first baseman’s mitt to be playing closer to first base than the first baseman, the umpire shall order the first baseman to use a regular fielder’s glove. The other fielder shall, at this point, be permitted to use the first baseman’s mitt.

This rule is not meant to prevent the defense from shifting positions. Rather, its intent is to ensure that the fielder positioned closest to first base is the fielder permitted to use a first baseman’s mitt.

As you will see in the video, the defense has positioned themselves in preparation for a bunt. The player listed as the first baseman on the line-up card is positioned extremely close to home plate, near the pitcher’s mound, while the player listed as the second baseman is actually holding R1 on at first base. Therefore, the umpires instruct the players to switch gloves.

Runner Leaving the Baseline

Rule Clarification: The physical act of a fielder in possession of the ball reaching to tag a runner is not required in order to adjudge a runner out of their baseline.

Although no physical tag attempt is made by the fielder, the actions of the runner are clearly indicative of an effort to avoid a potential tag, and also clearly involve a deviation outside of the runner’s baseline. Therefore, this runner is eligible to be called out for leaving the baseline.

Batter Overrunning First Base

Rule Clarification: While a batter is entitled to overrun first base when going to first base, the protection provided by this rule shall not apply if they leave first base following their return to it.

As the video will show, U1 initially and correctly makes no-call following a missed tag by the fielder and miss of first base by the batter-runner. There is then a race back to 1B, won by the B-R, resulting in a correct “safe” mechanic by U1. However, the B-R then voluntarily removes his hand from the base, while the fielder’s glove (in possession of the ball) is still in contact with the runner. The umpire then correctly declares the batter out. The umpire then reverses his out call and declares the runner safe because the batter did not make an attempt to advance toward second base. Courtesy of a clarification to the interpretation regarding a batter’s ability to overrun first base, a runner who leaves first base after returning to it shall henceforth be called out, irregardless of whether or not they make an attempt to advance to second base.

Runner Misses Home Plate

Rule Clarification: A runner who has missed home may return to touch the plate regardless of whether the ball is alive or dead, except when:
• A following runner scores,
• The runner steps into the dugout, or
• The third out is made before the runner returns to touch the plate

Although you can not see in the video below, the plate umpire has called “time” after the runner passed the plate, but before the runner had returned to touch it, because the pitcher has requested a new baseball. Even though the ball was dead, because none of the exceptions listed above had occurred, the player legally touches the plate. On appeal, he would be eligible to be called “safe.”

Passing on the Basepaths

Rule Clarification: Runners are still required to run the bases properly when being awarded bases with a ball that became dead during the play (such as a home run or ground rule double) and may be called out for passing. The following runner is always the runner out when two runners pass each other on the basepaths, regardless of which runner “caused” the passing to occur.

In both videos, R1 improperly retreats to 1B believing a fly ball to have been caught when the ball has actually left the playing field (home run in video one; ground rule double in video two). Even though the passing was “caused” by R1, the batter should have been called out for passing in both circumstances.

Should this infraction occur with two outs and a runner scoring, regardless of if it occurs with a live or dead ball, this is a time play.