Also, the interpretation of base line for purposes of this rule is that the base line is the line from the runner to the base. The steve bartman incident was a controversial play that occurred during a baseball game between the chicago cubs and the florida marlins on october 14, 2003, at wrigley field in chicago, illinois, during major league baseballs mlb 2003 postseason. Right fielder tony tarasco moved near the fence and appeared to draw a bead on the ball when the then12year old maier clearly reached over the fence separating the stands and the field of play nine feet below and snatched the. Why the umpire ruled fan interference on a potential. Nov 17, 2011 some rules are dumb, and dumb rules should be changed, so join me as we take a look at the five dumbest rules in the nfl which need to be addressed. And if it means rewriting the rule book to be more clear about what should be the guiding principle in ruling fan. Each type of interference is covered differently by the rules. Now in its third editiona clear guide to the complete rules of baseball, updated in 2019. 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.
Fan interference has had some extraordinary effects on big games and big. The rules of fastpitch softball govern all areas of the game, including base runners. Other than perhaps arena football, fan interference is a purely baseball phenomenon with the. Baseball is played on grass and dirt, but if the ball gets dirty they replace it with a new one. Lists pitching charts record books rules scoring statmaster stats 101 year by year. Spectator or fan interference is not a rule book nor ground rule double. Top 10 mlb fan interference videos bleacher report. Jeffrey maier born november 15, 1983 is an american baseball fan who received media attention for an incident in which he was involved as a 12year old at a baseball game. When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall.
Fan interference was not called, and the play was allowed to stand. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled as comment. The most notorious example of fan interference is that of 12 year old jeffery maier during the 1996 american league conference series between the new york yankees and baltimore orioles. The ground rules technically only cover ways in which the ball can become unplayable, such as becoming lodged in the ivy at wrigley field. In no event shall bases be run because of such interference see rule 6. Pirates beat giants with help from reversed call on fan. Welcome to the extra point, where members of the nfls football data and analytics team will share updates on leaguewide trends in football data, interesting visualizations that showcase innovative ways to use the leagues data, and provide an. Girls fastpitch softball is a popular high school and recreational sport across the united states. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues. Oct 19, 2018 but she even went so far as to start dissecting the mlb rulebook, specifically rule 3. The only time that a fielder is not obligated to get out of the way of a baserunner is when the fielder is fielding a hit ball or in possession of the ball. Mlb already backing off new slide rule fangraphs baseball. The steve bartman incident was a controversial play that occurred during a baseball game between the chicago cubs and the florida marlins on october 14, 2003, at wrigley field in chicago, illinois, during major league baseballs mlb 2003 postseason the. When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be.
On october 17, 2018, during the fourth game of the 2018 american league championship series, houston astros batter jose altuve hit a potential tworun homer in the bottom of the first inning. We wanted a book describing the rules, but something beyond just the official mlb rule book and found this great book. Mlb issues statement clearing astros of rule violations mlb. A baseball rule change timeline by baseball almanac.
In every case of spectator interference with a batted or thrown ball, the ball shall be declared dead and the baserunners can be placed where the umpire determines they would have been without the interference. The yankees have the continue reading yesterday was the first grapefruit league game for the astros, vs the nationals. May 23, 20 the author was interviewed via email by usa today sports reid cherner about his attempt to break down the baseball rule book. A ground rule double is a double awarded by the umpire because a fair ball became unplayable according the the ground rules of the ballpark. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators. Stop trying to catch balls in play and other simple rules.
A roughly century old socalled baseball rule states that stadium owners and operators are not responsible for injuries sustained by foul balls or pieces of shattered bats, so long as netted or. What if the fly ball hits the foul pole under the top of the fence. The lines marking the threefoot lane are a part of. This typically happens on a bunt or dropped third strike when. Since those years, some major changes and rule additions have taken place and baseball almanac has, hopefully, listed them into an easy to understand timeline. In baseball, interference occurs in situations in which a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. In the case of a foul popup, umpires may award an out if it is deemed that a fan interfered and the player would have made a catch. In the outfield, when a fan reaches over the fence to interfere with a fair ball, the player is. Even commissioner bud selig is stumped by the mlb rules sometimes. Red sox 86 win over astros in game 4 of alcs marred by.
The interference call involving trea turner left fans confused, which should be a learning moment for mlb. According to jeff passan sorry for the autoplay video link mlb is experimenting with testing a new extra inning rule because apparently kids today have the attention span of a gnat and baseball is boring or some other stupid bullshit the rule deviation is simple. The baseball rule book may be as complicated as any in professional sports, and a. Forgotten about exactly what constitutes runner interference and the penalty for it. Why the umpire ruled fan interference on a potential mookie betts home runsaving catch. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate see rule 6. Basically, the case book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the same effect as rules when applied to particular sections for which they are intended. Mlb changes rules for retired runner, fan interference close. The subreddit for the batandball sport played between two teams of nine players. When a spectator clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball by reaching onto the field of play, the batter shall be ruled out. Mlb changes rules for retired runner, fan interference mlbs playing rules committee issued its list of changes to the official baseball rules ahead of the 2018 season, addressing a retired runners interference nocall that occurred in 2017, spectator situations from the 2016 regular and postseason, and correctable scorekeeping errors.
Avoid fan interference at all costs or you risk becoming the most hated person in a stadium full of thousands of people. Fan interference, also called spectators interference, is a form of interference caused by fans who enter the field of play for the purpose of retrieving a baseball. The league that would become the nfl was founded in 1920. This is clearly rule breaking and mlb is trying to say nothing happened.
Oct 30, 2019 the interference call involving trea turner left fans confused, which should be a learning moment for mlb. Hinderingimpeding language does appear in the rule book, but elsewhere, in rule 6. How helpless and frustrating it felt after umpire joe west ruled fan interference on a clear jose altuve home run, then mlbs mysterious replay system backed up a. Fan interference of a fair ball results in a hit, typically a ground rule double most seen when a ball hit in the of corners is interfered with. Catchers interference is a somewhat rare occurrence, but it does happen from. Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to. If you interfere with a baseball player that is trying to. It is the responsibility of the runner to avoid the fielder when the fielder is making a play on the ball.
Interference d spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball. 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 his opinion will nullify the act of interference. Offensive interference is defined in the major league rule book obr in the section definitions interference. In 1932, the nfl broke ranks on a few rules and appointed its own rules committee, charged with developing changes independent. Altuve ruled out on fan interference in alcs game 4. Oct 18, 2018 a fan interference call that turns two runs into an out in the penultimate round of the playoffs should not be allowed to stand, the term mlb uses when it defaults to the original call out of. The rulebook also states that the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference. Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information. Girls fastpitch softball rules for base running sportsrec. The baseball rule book may be as complicated as any in professional sports, and a recent espn article showed just how little some mlb playerscoachesanalysts know about the more indepth rules of.
Baseball rule protects ballparks from lawsuits the. There is a difference between a ball which has been thrown or batted into the stands, touching a spectator thereby being out of play even though it rebounds onto the field and a spectator going onto the field or reaching over, under or through a barrier and touching a ball in play or touching or otherwise interfering with a player. When a spectator clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball by reaching onto the field of play. The author was interviewed via email by usa today sports reid cherner about his attempt to break down the baseball rule book. Trea turner interference call leaves mlb fans miffed see in app. Nov 10, 2011 when it comes to fans having a chance to touch the game ball, baseball is a sport like none other. For interference with a fielder attempting to field a batted or thrown ball by members of the team at bat or base coaches, who are excepted in rule 3. The 24year old has been incredibly open about coping. Under obr renumbering, as of 2015, the relevant rule is 6. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the basepath. That wasnt egregious like most fan interference, if it. Story behind astros fan ejected from game for interference by chandler rome and david barron, houston chronicle updated 8. That is, the fly ball hits the foul pole in the air but isnt a home run.
Mlbs playing rules committee issued its list of changes to the official baseball rules ahead of the 2018 season, addressing a retired runners. Story behind astros fan ejected from game for interference. As for what the stadium officials will do, thats their call. Gary mccabe mlb fans at ballparks can sometimes be a. When a spectator or other person not associated with one of the teams including such staff as bat boys or ball girls alters play in progress, it is spectator interference, colloquially called fan interference. Betts grounded out in the following atbat, and the yankees went on to win, 32, thanks to a pinchhit. Oct 30, 2019 the model did see some support from fans who also agreed with the call, many citing rule 5. This is an unspoken rule, but proof that to become an umpire you have to be diagnosed with ocd. Mlb stop trying to catch balls in play and other simple rules for grabby mlb fans. Oct 17, 2018 mlb issues statement clearing astros of rule violations. Astros pushed to brink of elimination with game 4 loss to red.
And for newer fans, major league baseballs nuanced rulesdeveloped and revised over decadescan be downright perplexing. Baserunners are generally permitted to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. Oct 17, 2018 1 of 277 houston astros designated hitter jose altuve 27 reacts from second base after being called out on fan interference during the first inning of game 4 of the american league championship. Spectator interference is spelled out in definitions interferenced. On october 9, 1996, the yankees trailed the orioles 43 in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop derek jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. The book describes important rules and comments on them, both in writing and with illustrations. Why the umpire ruled fan interference on a potential mookie. When a game goes into extra innings, each team will start with a runner on second base automatically. Either 1 let fans sit close to the action, and get over the fact that occasionally fans and players are going to touch each other while reaching for the same ball, or 2 engineer it out of. A player between bases is allowed to immediately return to the previous base. Interference can be committed by the team at the plate or the team in the field, as well as by players not even in the game at the time, an umpire, a fan, or another. Because this potential exists, major league baseball created rules to govern. However, thats the word today for the yankees luis severino. A fan interference call that turns two runs into an out in the penultimate round of the playoffs should not be allowed to stand, the term mlb uses when it defaults to the original call out of deference to the naked eye.
If a base coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner will be ruled out. When it comes to fans having a chance to touch the game ball, baseball is a sport like none other. What is the major league baseball rule on fan interference. Oct 18, 2018 i find it frustrating that mlb has a fan interference rule that applies to anything other than someone jumping over the rail and running onto the field. But if a thrown ball accidentally touches the base coach, the ball is alive and in play. Evolution of the nfl rules nfl football operations. Oct 18, 2018 houston they need to be sure if theyre going to take away a home run. Because the outfielder reached outside of the playing field, and that is where contact occurred, it is not considered fan interference, and therefore the play stands as originally ruled.
Nba mlb ball boy interference sports stack exchange. Fan interference has long been a part of baseball lore. Baseball 20 mlb home run derby 2020 mlb beat the streak mlb faqs mlb ballpark faqs tickets general ticket information season tickets fan value ballpark tours world baseball classic international events. How to snag a souvenir baseball the art of manliness.
I always hate hearing that one of the best pitchers in baseball needs tommy john surgery. Therefore, if you stay in the stands, this is not interference. This typically happens on a bunt or dropped third strike when the throw is coming from the vicinity of home plate. Fan interference br bullpen mlb stats, scores, history. Interference can also be called when a batter is running outside the 3 foot line on the 2 nd half of the way to 1 st base, rule 6. Oct 18, 2018 how helpless and frustrating it felt after umpire joe west ruled fan interference on a clear jose altuve home run, then mlb s mysterious replay system backed up a splitsecond decision that kept. If a fan clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter outbut the key word is clearly. During game 1 of the 1996 american league championship series between the new york yankees and the baltimore orioles, maier deflected a batted ball, hit by derek jeter, into the yankee stadium stands for what umpires ruled. Other than perhaps arena football, fan interference is a purely baseball phenomenon with. In the leagues early days, the ruleschange process evolved slowly. In every case of spectator interference with a batted or thrown ball, the ball shall be declared dead and the baserunners can be placed.
Even if youre a diehard fan of our national pastime, sometimes an umpires call can be a little baffling. The umpire shall call the runner out in accordance with rule 5. Jul 28, 2016 fan interference mlb compilation heisenb3rg. Mar 01, 2018 fans every now and then screw up the game for the rest of us. Interference and obstruction rulings interference is a broad rule book term that refers to a number of illegal actions that occur during a contest to change the course of the game.
1022 339 1221 705 1440 544 1079 1031 1223 810 1387 932 467 426 536 377 243 61 1180 485 914 1073 414 1135 1017 566 435 1306 935 82 335 798 1328 344 702 1384 262