E121 - Dave Martinez Ejected After Out of the Base Path Call by Derek Thomas on Keibert Ruiz's Run

HP Umpire Derek Thomas ejected Nationals manager Dave Martinez for arguing an out of the base path call on Nats runner Keibert Ruiz at home plate. We review Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1), talk about the difference between baseline and base path, and do some math! Report: www.closecallsports.com/2023/...
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[@wranglerman270]

Why does it seem like these rare base running plays always happen to the nationals and theyre always on the wrong side of the call 😂 I feel bad for Dave

[@user-rl3ts9zd4w]

Poor third base coaching or poor base running are the only things that could be blamed here.

[@patrickdietze70]

I was thinking the same. The inconsistency in umpiring this year is getting disgusting. Davey argues one side of a rule-gets ejected. Then he gets ejected when that same rule seems to have changed....he points out how that was ruled the other way LAST time it went against him...Davey gets ejected. LOL..these umpires are just getting their rocks off of ejecting Davey whether he's right or wrong. I don't always agree with you Lindsay, but I see and agree with your explanation here. My gripe is that the officiating has been super inconsistent this year and the inconsistencies seem to be...hmmmm....going against the same teams and managers???? HAHAHA!!!

[@frgabrielmary4620]

I love it for the same reason

[@Simba65315]

@@patrickdietze70 they are different plays. each play needs to be adjudicated on its merits. different circumstances mean different calls. its like saying i threw to first so the runner should be out, but in one case the runner hadnt reached first and in the other he had.

[@DarkPCTV]

At what point does Davey just tell the runners to run into the catchers outs be damned because of the level of seeming ridiculousness from the Umps?

[@mikeloosemore6301]

Instead of blaming the umpire, blame your third base coach for thag terrible send

[@sfan2767]

Seriously; with no outs that is a god awful send. With 2 outs I'd defend the send as making the defense execute perfectly.

[@annettemalaski1967]

Most players are 5'9" or taller! The man was almost his entire height away from the plate! That is definetely more than three feet away from his runners path to home!

[@randominternet5586]

Exactly, particularly because he's behind the plate, and all paths terminate at the place.

[@auzmo]

Where in the rules does it say that you use the center of mass to determine this? or feet, or any other part of the body or body that will be used to reach the base? That is a genuine question. The rules just saying 3 feet leave a lot of room for questions. His feet and probably center of mass were outside 3 feet, but any part of his body i would say no or at least debatable.

[@MwD676]

Base path would not terminate if the runner missed it. He would establish a new path to get back to the plate.

[@Willgo373]

@@auzmoSounds like that’s an umpire interpretation of the rule that appears to be followed by most umpires. Some rulesets (like NFHS got basketball) have both a rule book and a separate book of interpretations of how to apply the rules. In this case, it’s more an unwritten interpretation that probably should be written down.

[@timsongster]

I learn so much with every video great job Lindsay!

[@PapaVanTwee5]

Me, at beginning of video: This is 6 and a half minutes. Why is this that long? Me, when the realization hits: OMFG! She's doing math!

[@hooimeijerf]

This is exactly what the rule is for! Great job as always explaining the rules in a simpler manner for everyone to understand.

[@WaffleLover-my1hi]

Man, you guys are really good at making videos. This is an awesome breakdown!

[@mae2759]

We never get a clear interp on what part of your body we are judging to be out of the base path. Feet? Torso? Both?

[@johnstevens7438]

Lindsay. Love your videos. Fatasic job explaining the rules. All broadcasters should subscribe to your channel.

[@jamesrivera6068]

As always, Awesome job explaining. Why are the announcers always so clueless. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@mlk08012]

With the way they keep screwing catchers, it’s good to see one go the other way.

[@MikeMorton]

If we've learned anything these past few weeks, it's that the runner should simply let the catcher tag him out so that his team can challenge for blocking the plate.

[@andrewrogers3279]

Lol at the announcers sarcastic “you’re supposed to run into the glove!” No, you’re supposed to slide under that insanely high throw and score easily. Bad baserunning.

[@cizzymac]

Ichiro did the same thing, actually it was even more egregious than this, and he was called safe. As usual, the problem isn't the rule, it's the uneven enforcement of the rule.

[@randelhodge3277]

Great explanation. Too many "dumb" announcers, players, coaches, managers that continue to disrespect an umpire's judgment call. I still don't get the "no one's here to see the umpires." Such bull----. Let MLB remove all umpires - since no one comes to the games to see them - and see how that goes.

[@Subangelis]

If NFL broadcasters can have a former official explain rules, why can't baseball?

[@chrisMoutkastragtop]

Actually having known this made me feel proud on how much knowledge I’ve acquired the past year from your videos.

[@lsittig]

Great analysis, as always. I wonder if there’s another factor at play and if the umpires and league have talked about it: The catcher is being very compliant with the plate blocking rule by standing inside the base line until the ball arrives. That leaves him about five feet away from the runner’s path when the ball arrives, creating a disadvantage compared to prior to plate blocking rule. So it makes sense to be more strict in enforcing base path departure, or else the runners will be able to create even more separation by swinging even wider. I suppose that the catcher could move over the base line and still be leaving a clear path to the plate, but it’s hard to calculate that when you’re a catcher focused on the ball coming from right field. Am I on to something?

[@MrHoundDoug]

Derek Thomas flying by the seat of his pants, making the correct call without a protractor or laser measure, nice work Derek!

[@kinkaid7477]

Thought I was back in geometry class for a minute. Thankfully I wasn't. I was awful in that class, lol,

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

It looks like the umpire had started calling him out before his cleats got caught

[@theburnetts]

Exactly.

[@spudpar]

I just want to tell you how much I enjoy the education you provide. I am the embodiment of "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

[@dalefortner2179]

Explanation well done!!

[@tigerlee1106]

WOW! We have seen this before! Dang! How many more of this we are going to see from Davey Martinez? Hey we are still on track for 250 ejections by the end of the season including the playoffs.

[@DJTexan]

Well umpires contribute to it too. Half of these wouldn’t even have been ejections 30 years ago. Umpires won’t keep their hooks put away anymore. On a play like this only thing I could see an ejection for is a personal insult. This is a big play and there is going to be anger especially if they can’t challenge it. These young umpires get offended too easily by gestures. Not only would managers gesture but umpires would too and no one cared. Unless the MLB wants to go for a record ejection number and telling umpires to eject for anything possible, then its the umpires that need to ignore small technicalities/loopholes that now constitute ejections as much as possible and try to only eject when they’re personally insulted. That’s the way it was back in the 80s when I was in American Association and we turned out alright. We didn’t get hated on nearly as much and there were no shortages of officials as there was a lot more interest in becoming umpires.

[@PapaVanTwee5]

@@DJTexan If you are gesturing at where you think the basepath/strike zone/tag was/should have been, then you are showing up the umpire, and it is an ejection. I learned that from Lindsay.

[@DJTexan]

@@PapaVanTwee5 Well i know that’s the way it is now. Umpires get offended too easily. I can remember countless arguments where both me and the manager were pointing and gesturing about a call. No ejections. Even if you decide you’re being “shown-up” you have to warn them first not eject right away. Half the time they’re so mad they can’t hear what you’re saying until they’re done gesturing and talking. People did a lot worse 30 years ago and didn’t get ejected. This argument then would’ve been considered civil. My point is though is that modern sensitive umpires are at least half of the reason we have so many ejections nowadays. Period.

[@bhamsoxfan72]

Martinez and Aaron Boone may get half of that total between the two of them. Lol

[@rj7411]

Derek had great position on this play. Love the wedge mechanics and his emphatic left hand indication followed by the power hand out call. Atta babe blue! Great diagram and math equation for us CCS. Now I'm going to have to google who that Fool broadcaster was. Keep spicing things up with the broadcaster babble please, LOL.

[@andyjohnson8297]

When did announcers become such homers for their teams? They're not even trying to be objective.

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

when people started complaining about Joe Buck

[@mudandbleach]

When teams started taking more creative control over local broadcasts about 10-20 years ago.

[@jtoms3]

Once he ended up behind the righty batter's box as much as he did, I believe that was indeed three feet or more. As is quite often the case, the umpire appears to have made the correct call, despite the ravings of fans and announcers who seem to think they know more than they really do.

[@bhamsoxfan72]

It's almost as if the umpires have not only read the rule book, but have also studied it, been tested on it, and undergo regular thorough training on how to apply it... While fans and announcers have probably never read a single page of the rule book...

[@williamknudson8414]

@@bhamsoxfan72 It helps that this specific rule is one that comes up often enough to not only get seen on tests (lineup stuff...) but also in play, and is frankly simple enough to be easy to remember. "base path plus 3 feet on either side, path is direct from runner to base once tag is attempted, unless to avoid interference" is pretty easy to remember, even with thousands of fans screaming.

[@Clothahump1]

Really good breakdown! The runner is obviously out, but as the broadcasters made so painfully plain, most folks don't know baseline vs. basepath.

[@babababad]

At the moment of analysis here, it looks like Thomas is already making a mechanic with his left arm, so he must have had a basepath departure prior to that point.

[@tchevrier]

there's no doubt that he was more than 3 feet outside the base path. My question would be, from what point is that measured? His feet? Then he would be way outside the base path.

[@KWally]

Three feet on an invisible line is damn hard to measure

[@Rowgue51]

The rule used to just be that if you deviate from the basepath to avoid a tag it's a basepath violation and you're out, period. They eventually added the three feet thing to try to establish a firm cut off line where there could be no question that it's a violation. But predictably all that's done is to cause players to always take that three feet they're being given by the rules and then push the limits of the umpires judgement from there. I've seen so many plays where a runner gets in a rundown and clearly deviates at least five feet on either side of his established basepath. One play in particular where the guy was caught between second and third and was about a foot from the outfield grass to avoid one tag and literally dove three feet into the infield grass to avoid the final tag attempt before scampering to third and being ruled safe.

[@williamknudson8414]

@@Rowgue51 Without seeing that specific play it's hard to say for sure, but given that the base path is re-defined with each new tag attempt, that's technically possible, albeit unlikely to happen.

[@WideWorldofTrains]

If I wanted a college education I would have went to college, not watch a baseball highlight video LOL.. Just messing w ya, you do a great job w these videos

[@HarrySJohnson]

If Dave and the broadcasters were in charge, you’d be allowed to run anywhere you like to avoid a tag.

[@caode9385]

As you started asking if that was 3 feet or not I had already pulled up diagrams of the batters box to find out, only for you to also then do the same!

[@kerrytodd3753]

Who is just surprised they didn’t call him safe for catcher blocking the plate 😂😂

[@garygemmell3488]

Pretty much everybody.

[@erniepeters1695]

There are a couple views that show F2 stretching out at a perpendicular angle to R’s basePATH yet F2 can’t reach R… that’s a pretty good measure of three feet. The R literally makes a C shaped hook around F2 once F2 starts the motion to make the tag essentially simultaneous with the catch of the throw. Out. Forget the geometry, no time for that.. it’s that outstretched arm of F2.

[@randominternet5586]

And you can't have catchers being called for interference if you let the runner go 6 feet behind the plate.

[@Rowgue51]

This call is similar to the balk call in that they've let guys get away with so flagrantly being out of the base path so often that players and fans are shocked when the call is actually made.

[@ImReverseGiraffe]

Except they really don't. Especially since the rule was changed. A great example is Elly De La Cruz. He runs so fast that he practically has to touch the coaches box to round first heading for second. That's not out of the base path because there is no tag being put on him. The runner can choose to run all the way out into center field if they want to and it's not out of the base path. The issue is that most people don't understand the rule and think it's something that it's not.

[@Rowgue51]

@@ImReverseGiraffe I'm specifically talking about guys actively trying to avoid tags. Keep straw manning though.

[@Gustav_Kuriga]

@@Rowgue51 Says the strawman.

[@goldog63]

Great breakdown. He’s out. 😂

[@transcendkira]

You do have to wonder why there's such a common idea that umpires 'make the game about themselves' when managers are right there acting like this and causing massive delays to the game even over the most reasonable of calls...

[@teebob21]

Well, as we all know, as fans we pay money to see the managers.

[@ericj227]

A few minutes are a massive delay?

[@jefffinlayson3002]

The runner ended up over 3 ft away. He was probably within 3 ft until he got to the back of the batter's box.

[@ILOVEUMPS]

I also think the thing to note here is this is (almost always) judged by the position of the runner's feet, as the feet are what establish the position of the runner at the time of the tag attempt. His feet clearly go more than 3 feet in deviation from the time of the tag attempt. I think this is the correct call by the PU.

[@TwentyItaliansLS]

Perfection! Love it.

[@jpwiggo]

Worth noting - the ump had the perfect angle - better than anyone else. Good call

[@totallykoolyeah]

More pro quality base running/coaching . Great breakdown!

[@lastdance2099]

Well, it looks like more than 3ft.

[@boerhae]

man i love Davey

[@Scourge77]

I finished school to get away from math, now it's showing up here? Boooooo!! 😂😂 Great job though.

[@williammaddock9179]

Thank you.

[@evankirk5937]

Good work, Lin!

[@genmysters]

@closecallsports can you please highlight where the Catcher was when receiving this ball. Bring light to how the ball takes him a bit up the line and he stayed to the inside part of the field and gave foul territory completely to the runner. This is the proper way to field the play. If you compare this to an earlier video Padres vs Giants E110. Had the Catcher here done what the Padres catcher did and blocked the plate we would have had a violation.

[@SOXGATORS]

Dave Martinez getting his money worth is the best. 2:47 4:09 6:01 cue the Mario coin 😂

[@sethheasley9538]

This got super nerdy and I'm 100% here for it. I'm an M's fan but I was kinda glad when the Nats immediately scored after this.

[@TrueTrueBehemoth]

I wasn't prepared for a geometry quiz it's been 15 years since I took thay class

[@ronpeacock9939]

Though I will say.. GOOD CALL.. clearly beyond 3 ft (hell, ran past the base well beyond reach of it)... but the bigger thing here is.. that's rarely called near home plate... I mean, a steak still standing in the field grazing and moo'ing is not that rare... (not even close even)... Still, I do agree with athe call...

[@randominternet5586]

I think going to be called more as a result of catcher interference issues.

[@TigerDude333]

Announcers are pretty clueless here.

[@brianorndorff1387]

Finally a runner called out for being out of the path!!

[@Desirsar]

It's important for people to understand the intent of the rule to understand its application. You're meant to run to the next base, or turn around and run back to the last base. If you can go straight for the plate and dive under the tag, great, but you aren't meant to shuffle around to avoid that tag. In a simpler phrase, it's baseball, not jukeball.

[@redstone5149]

Now, will the broadcasters admit they were wrong? Maybe they will use their own verbiage and say their take was “awful “.

[@hulenbryant5637]

What an awesome video and explanation. This makes perfect sense. First MLB forces the catcher to position himself to give the runner a clear path, what then you're going to allow the runner to run another 5 feet away from the plate? It would make it almost impossible to get anyone out at the plate. As explained, the rule makes sense adn the umpire was right. The call wasn't awful, the announcers were. Keep up with the game and the rules if you're going to make comments criticizing the umpires.

[@morningsidedriverock]

She just Good Will Hunted us and I love it!

[@babababad]

🍎🍎🍎

[@dleatherman4539]

If only the runner would have stayed 10 feet foul, perhaps he could’ve gotten a plate blocking call.

[@1969EType]

I really, really, really want to see an MLB team pull the “skunk in RF” play…I know the umpires will nail the call but, the broadcasters, the players, the coaches, the fans and everyone watching or listening would have their minds blown and their baseball consciousness expanded in a most beautiful way. It could lead to some serious healing between the umpires and The Game on the whole…

[@frankiesheehy224]

Would be too easy to defend at the major league level. Most right fielders can gun someone down at the plate and get a double play much more easily than the JV high school teams that actually try it

[@1969EType]

@@frankiesheehy224 Yeah, well…what’s an easily defensible play for an out if it broadens our minds?

[@lucatedesco5171]

There are going to be 250+ ejections this year. Hammer it.

[@Yumi_Jay]

Also during last night game Jarred Kelenic managed to convinced the umpire that the 7th inning/walk up music was playing before his at bat and should not be charged a pitch violation. He was so close on getting ejected. Edit to add on the Mariners radio Dave Sims even said he is getting his moneys worth or something to that effect.

[@jumpingjack54it]

Do we consider it out of base path if both feet are more than 3 feet away or just one foot?

[@danielcastiglione5328]

The rule doesn’t say his feet should not be more than 3 feet. His head is within three feet.

[@thexen3120]

Absolutely perfect and flawless meaning of the rule, Lindsay 👌 Correct call all the way. That being said, my caveat is; did the home plate umpires explain it to Martinez? Was he not able to before Martinez said something to warrant an ejection? Does an umpire have to explain the rules and is it incumbent on the manager to know?

[@SchillerDuval]

When I called, if a coach argued an out of the base path call by using the term “baseline” I would ask “base path or baseline, coach?” They were usually confused. My job is to clarify rules, not explain terms. Coaches should be required to take a rules test like umpires. The arguments have gotten so ridiculous.

[@Rowgue51]

If a manager is genuinely interested in why a call went a certain way and just wants an explanation then there is nothing wrong with clarifying things for him. But the reality is that most managers go out just for appearances and to look like they're standing up for their team. And guys like this are going out there knowing they're just going to scream until they get ejected the vast majority of the time.

[@JosephRVilla]

Classic Davey. Timestamps: ⏺️ 0:38: Judge for yourself. Was it the right call, or the wrong one? ⏺️ 0:46: And, here comes Nationals’ Manager Dave Martinez in a very unhappy mood. ⏺️ 1:16: Rule 7.08 (a)(1). (Old Rule). ⏺️ 1:46: Rule 5.09 (b)(1). (New & Current Rule). ⏺️ 2:41: Dave Martinez gets tossed. ⏺️ 2:42: Nationals Broadcast: *“Oh. Look at… Look at me. I can throw you out.”* ⏺️ 2:45: Mariners Broadcast: *“Davey Martinez just got tossed and he’s getting his money’s worth now”;* along with the Mario coin ding (2:48 ➡️ 😂🤣😂🤣). ⏺️ 4:05: Nationals Broadcast: *“Yeah. Can you get tossed by 2 umpires at the same game? No. No. But, you can get your money’s worth for both”;* another Mario coin ding (4:09 ➡️ 😂🤣😂🤣). ⏺️ 5:58: Mariners Broadcast: *“Zero hesitation. You see Dave Martinez get his money’s worth. He’s not shy.”;* one last Mario coin ding (6:01 ➡️ 😂🤣😂🤣). My response: No surprise there. Basically, Dave Martinez is defending his players at a time when the Nationals are not playing well this season. So, add the Mario coin tune when I say this, “Get your money’s worth, Davey. Get your money’s worth.” See what I did there? 😂🤣😂🤣 Also, the runner was out of the baseline, no doubt about it.

[@garyncoa]

Great breakdown of the call and ruling. However, I don't agree with the call. The runner is already 3+ feet away from the catcher coming into home plate. When the catcher turned to apply the tag the runner did deviate a little to avoid the tag but not more than 3 feet but the catcher was still more than 3 feet away thus the catcher had to move in to attempt the tag. Using the "center of gravity (aka waist)" is not a good mark to use on this. The upper body was still within the 3 feet base "path" the runner took and thus had the catcher not been so far away after catching the ball then turning to apply the tag, the tag would've been on the upper body. Also factor in the anti-collision "Posey" rule - the runner did his best to avoid the collision. In the old "Pete Rose" days the runner would've blown up this catcher. This was a great effort by the runner to score and not collide - thus a good baseball play. He should've been ruled safe. I'm an umpire and I like outs, but lets make sure our outs and safes can be clearly supported.

[@terryrose4804]

Ouch! Math of the path!

[@3716anderson]

It's not awful, it's the rule. Good call by the ump. Split second call by the way without 15 minutes of slow motion replays, the rule book, and home plate diagrams to help out. Martinez should not be fined for his ejection, but sent down the AA league to ump 5 games. He would not make it through the 5th inning of the first game!

[@danielthibodeau4316]

Definitely did not look like three feet but that home plate ump was calling him out immediately after signaling the missed tag. Zero hesitation on his part!

[@javfantv3722]

A nice early diving attempt would’ve been perfect for this play going away from the plate and hitting the swim move back to the plate with the right arm. Definitely deserve an A for effort 👏🏼

[@TheCharlesJLee1000]

Davey Martinez is going to have a nightmare of umpires and base running errors.

[@micahsilverman5284]

So crazy how people lose their damn minds when out of the base path ISN'T called despite not knowing the rules. Now that it is called, they are still pissed off.

[@john_mccarthy_hi]

the relevant position on the runner's body is their taggable position meaning center of gravity is not the closest by which a runner could be tagged

[@jimwhite8734]

"Step and a Reach" is the rule of thumb ... He's out. good call.

[@sonnybowman]

The call use to be just a reach. How long is your arm and shoulder?

[@granthampubunderground]

Great breakdown! My only issue is that the umpire called him out of the basepath before he got to that back point behind the plate where you described the distances. At the point he was called out of the basepath by the umpire, he wasn't out of it, IMO. It wasn't until he got to the back, which was almost to the back of the umpire box, that he was 3ft out of the path. In the total circumstance, I think the call was right, but not at the point it was made.

[@Subangelis]

Watch again. That's when he called it

[@MabelLouDad]

The only differentiation I would make is asking what part of the runner is the distance supposedly "calculated"? clearly, his head is within the batters box and more than half his body is over the baseline. Seems like if Davey Martinez keels over on a baseball field it will be because of a baseline call

[@Briansgate]

I thought there was something in the rule about basepath saying that running home didn’t hold to the same 3 foot baseline rule.

[@babababad]

If you're referring to the absence of a runner's lane interference rule for runners between 3rd and home, you're correct. But the 3-foot base*path* rule applies anywhere on the diamond that a tag is attempted.

[@teebob21]

Think again. When is the last time you studied the OBR rulebook?

[@robertbrown7470]

As long as I can remember it's a line from the runner to the base/plate.

[@stephenhenley7452]

so...all the determinations have been made based on where the player is by the position of his feet. What about his body (~6ft above his shoes). Is that within 3 feet? I'd say so.

[@josda1000]

Gotta say, of all the baseball rules, the baselines have to be the most misunderstood.

[@stephenj9470]

Did the announcer really say "You're supposed to run right into the catchers glove"? Why would you do that if you don't want tagged?

[@Septicor]

Getting their money's worth on the phrase "getting their money's worth"

[@umpireva5440]

Announcers should be ashamed. Using an out of date rule book. They work 162 games each year. You'd think they would learn something about the rules.

[@Gustav_Kuriga]

You're the one blindly trusting this video that doesn't interpret the rules correctly.

[@asthemillertoldhistale1361]

Baseball needs more rules.

[@Fenix1861]

My question is whether or not the play is reviewable either regardless or call (safe vs. out)? If a call of “Safe” or “Out due to tag” on the field would have been reviewable, in my opinion the ump should have made that call instead and allowed the Managers to decide whether or not to have New York review it. On some base path violations, it is blatantly obvious. This one was at home plate AND was a matter of inches based on Lindsay’s statement of the “general rule” being the runner’s center of gravity. MLB should issue a rule clarification or explicitly define what constitutes the runner’s reference point for an umpire to make his or her call. It should also be reviewable both by request of a team’s Manager or by the Crew Chief. Additionally, in the playoffs ALL plays at the plate, especially, or even at any base, as well as all plays with direct interactions between players (e.g. tag plays) should automatically be reviewed (similar to the NFL’s rule of automatically reviewing all scoring plays and the last 2 minutes of every half) by a 7th, dedicated & on-premises umpire. And since SOMEONE is probably thinking “what about pitch calls”? I really like CCS’s proposal for pitch calls, but I would add a couple things. Ignore anything that mirrors CCS’s proposal (I obviously didn’t realize that it was addressed by them). First, they need to redefine how a “Check Swing” is determined with more specific and objective criteria, and include it as a reviewable call. Second, make the official strike zone used to evaluate the plate umpire’s pitch calls available to officially licensed broadcast partners while in all agreements with those broadcast partners, ban any and all on screen graphics representing the strike zone except the one now provided by MLB. Lastly, drop or simplify the pitch clock. I am getting sick of watching these “professionals” try to play mind games and trick each other into violating. I miss when players took pride in their ability to compete by upping their own game instead of trying to bring down their opponents’; the need to insult, berate, disrespect, or humiliate the opponent; or taking every possible slight personally. I always preferred to compete against opponents that felt like they were playing at their best. It validated all effort I put into my play. If I lost instead, it gave me a goal to strive toward. Additionally, defeating an opponent that was not at their best felt hollow at best (if unintentional/prevented) or downright insulting at worst (if intentionally holding back). And losing to an opponent not competing at their best was frustrating and/or insulting. Honestly, MLB has, in my opinion, the WORST replay rules of the four major professional sports leagues in the U.S. Even the NCAA’s rules are better (in general). The MLB’s rules appear to have been designed to placate the players, coaches, and fans that were demanding replay, not to improve the game, “do the right thing”, or even to make sure to get the call right. If they are just pandering us, then honestly, just go back to no replay. At least before official replay review, we could at least believe that the umps’ calls were at worst uncorrectable mistakes.

[@InternetGrandpa]

He laid out to touch the plate. A six foot tall man lays out and reaches is clearly more than three feet away.

[@danhenderson7010]

One angle to consider here is whether or not the runner swerved to avoid base-path interference from the catcher. The way they've been calling catchers base-path interference lately, it seems a plausible explanation. I think there is a decent chance that if the Nats could challenge the out call, the video ump would have called him safe because of base-path interference by the catcher!

[@visarr]

Is it measured to his feet or to his head? The head might have been within 3 feet, but his feet was clearly > 3 feet.

[@babababad]

In the video Lindsay says from the runner's center of gravity.

[@utubeadsaredworst5121]

The commentators are sure giving us our monies worth

[@craigwinter3792]

If Ruiz had run through the catcher, how would the "Posey Rule" apply?

[@EvanEscher]

Why was the Ichiro avoiding the tag play at home legal then? It looks the exact same as this.

[@invisibleman1734]

I had the same thought so I went and watched the Ichiro play, which was so much further beyond home plate

[@babababad]

The one when he was with the Yankees? Yeah, he probably could have been called for it. Maybe because he was so much faster getting back to the plate, Angel didn't have time to take his eyes off the quick series of tag attempts to notice that Ichiro was too far.

[@russchapman2997]

My issue has nothing to do with the call. It is a judgement call. We all may see it differently. My issue is the attitude of the Washington announcers. You wonder why high school umpires get punched by parents? These guys should be suspended and forced to apologize publicly.

[@EvanEscher]

Those were the Seattle announcers.

[@srellison561]

@@EvanEscher Doesn't matter. They're still encouraging umpire hate. Umpires are just doing their jobs.

[@SoozBeez]

@@EvanEscher No. Audio from both broadcasts was used. The guys ripping on the umpires were the Washington announcers.

[@EvanEscher]

@@SoozBeezthanks

[@mikecolie9290]

It was a great call.

[@alvinthecat8426]

the sum of the squares of the legs of a right triangle equals the square of the hypotenuse. Just that simple.

[@ibji]

What if he leap frogged the catcher? If he went higher than 3 ft. in the air, would he be out of the base path?

[@ktpinnacle]

It's happened. They were safe.

[@holmj12]

Base path is determined horizontally not vertically.

[@ryanvannice7878]

So what part of the body is used for the measurement? Feet? Center of body? Any part of the body? The call isnt as clear to me unless its the feet.

[@Ghostrider6A]

I had out of the base path, but only by an inch or so.

[@BillyM82094]

2:45 get your money’s worth Dave 🤣

[@Gustav_Kuriga]

You're measuring it from his feet in a head-first slide. So yes, you're completely wrong on this.

[@kristopherwagner4173]

I may talk a lot of crap on this page but I also promote the crap out of this page. On Facebook there are baseball clips I get about calls. There was an exact little league version of this posted. I sent everyone person that didn’t understand to this video. Everyone else watching these videos should do the same. Build the knowledge of the casual fan. Great job on the breakdowns.