E44 - Rocco Baldelli Ejected When Umpire Iassogna Rules Runner Did Not Go Out of His Base Path

3B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli for arguing an out of the base path no call when Guardians runner Jose Ramirez avoided Minnesota's tag attempt at third base. We discuss the three-foot rule and difference between base path and baseline. Report: www.closecallsports.com/2023/...
Facebook: / closecallsports
Twitter: / closecallsports
Discord: / discord

[@LindsayImber1]

I see I forgot to duck my audio in my penultimate segment. For shame. And then said line instead of path at 1:10. This is such an ejection-heavy year. I have thoughts and it largely has to do with a pitch clock.

[@Subangelis]

It's all good. :)

[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

This channel is fantastic at explaining rules

[@xbrandon502x]

Good example is someone going from 1st to 2nd on a double, they're way out of the base line rounding first, but no tag attempt at that point no rule violation

[@SteveBreehne]

Exactly, when you reach a base, you don't have to stop and make a 90-degree turn. You hit the bag and make an arch to the next base.

[@2011SoxMD36]

I once executed a play in Luxembourg where I beat out an infield single, full sprint meant I overran 1B basically to the cut of the grass, noticed that the middle of the infield was pretty empty and pitcher was messing with his uniform, took off from shallow right to 2B. Nobody picked it up fast enough, beat the SS to the bag, safe. Other team tried the "he was way out of the baseline" argument and that just showed that they didn't know the rule 😂

[@kerrytodd3753]

That’s is the worst analogy I’ve ever heard…..has nothing at all to do with this play. Runner should be out…..bullshit call by bullshit umpires.

[@davruck1]

@@kerrytodd3753must be a twins fan. Hold this L and try scoring more runs than an anemic Cleveland AAA offense.

[@calebos268]

@@kerrytodd3753 Did you even watch this video lol

[@binder38us]

Every team announcer team needs to watch your channel. So much great information

[@rj7411]

No worries. Just backed it up and re-listened to the explanation. Good breakdown of that play. I'm a big fan of Danny Iassogna anyway and loved how he handled that.

[@puppybrap4524]

I knew Rocco would get tossed as soon as he moved towards the scene of the (potential) crime and Danny was motioning to Rocco to not go there and to come back and argue.

[@steevay7772]

This channel should be mandatory viewing for mangers and broadcasters.

[@teebob21]

Mangers? What about stables and barns?

[@steevay7772]

@@teebob21 Good one! Next time I’ll proof read.

[@steveschutte4990]

My interest in baseball is nothing more than a casual Royals fan; I haven't watched a World Series since KC was in it. However, I love this channel because of videos like this. It informs my fandom without watching games or long videos.

[@rickl.461]

Another good analysis. I didn't even think it looked bad live. I'm surprised the manager came out so strong. I've seen plenty of plays that looked questionable. This just looked like a runner side-stepping a tag and then hook-sliding into the base.

[@linollieum3742]

Lack of rule knowledge is a curse for baseball from the managers/players/announcers all the way down to the fans and low levels of play. And while the rules are somewhat complex, the misinformation is the biggest problem like the announcers gave. Announcers should have to do remedial training for basic mistakes like this as they spread their lack of knowledge to all the fans and inflame controversy and umpire hatred for no reason.

[@dperl5640]

lol Damn dude I just wrote the exact same thing before scrolling down and finding your post! Literally like we were sharing a brain on this one!

[@stephenherring]

You are correct. This happens a lot at youth level games and most of the youth coaches have no idea how this is supposed to be interpreted. And worse, many lower level umpires have no idea either.

[@kerrytodd3753]

And umpires should do “remedial training” cause they clearly blew this call……

[@dperl5640]

@@kerrytodd3753 LOL so I take it you still do not get the difference of a basepath and baseline..?? This was not at all a hard call and the ump got it right! Not even close. I mean it is laid out there plain as day in the video for you to see? If you still don't see it then nothing I can do for you my man

[@roberthudson1959]

The problem is that announcers are picked, if not paid, by the teams. Naturally, the result is that everything is viewed from the team's point of view. Sustained objectivity causes unemployment.

[@garygemmell3488]

Possession of the ball prior to the tag attempt does not equate to a tag attempt. So many people assume that it is. You have to actually make a physical attempt to tag the runner. Once again, we have another set of announcers who are flipping clueless and as a result are reinforcing ignorance among the fans. Put your head in a rule book while you're sitting on the crapper. You might learn something.

[@carypyke935]

I learn so much here from your videos.

[@TarenaD]

I learned something new today, thank you.

[@jumping438]

Love love love this channel! Great explanation!!

[@backupgoalie1007]

I think it looks like the runner went out of his way at first glace because the fielder had to reach so far but he first gets the ball and is almost on the grass. I know its hindsight but throwing it to the third baseman instead of the pitcher going to the bag was the real screw up here.

[@CybeastID]

ABOUT TIME SOMEONE FREAKIN EXPLAINED TO THESE PEOPLE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BASEPATH AND THE BASELINE.

[@teebob21]

Oh, we explain it to coaches and moms every weekend all summer long. They still don't learn.

[@PrivateVoid1]

Thanks for this great explanation Lindsay.

[@worldsedge4991]

I'm really glad it was not called out. Even assuming his feet did stray beyond three feet from the basepath, his upper body was heading toward the base the whole time. It was an awesome, athletic play that earned him the base.

[@closethockeyfan5284]

Totally agree, this is within reason and appears to fit the rule, good for baseball

[@darinlegore284]

great explanation--wish the announcers would READ the rulebook before throwing out terms and causing widespread misunderstandings!

[@alvinthecat8426]

good one. great explanation/diagrams. learned something first thing in the morning.

[@RealRedPolitics]

I agree with Lindsay here, I do not have a running out of the base path violation.

[@cavspunk08]

was at this game and was just screaming GO GO GO when Jose broke for third. we all took great joy in seeing Rocco get sent packing

[@dperl5640]

Again and I say this all the time - MLB does such a disservice to it's fans by not making all coaches players AND broadcasters attend a yearly, mandatory rules review. As these individuals put out the misinformation the general fan never understands the rules. And that hurts the game terrible

[@davruck1]

I think they do it on purpose to get people emotionally involved and pissed off. Ejections are great entertainment

[@pauledge1621]

Should have an umpire on the broadcast team

[@alanhess9306]

Agreed, announcers are the reason we have so many idiots, like kerrytodd, being ignorant of the rules, yet they comment anyway.

[@mordsythe]

Good call from umpire Not an easy call to make.

[@DAK4Blizzard]

I'll say it got marginally easier when the bases became 18". Now, the umps have an object to help reference what 3 feet looks like: twice the base length. Of course, it's still difficult because the runner often isn't near a base, let alone on the baseline, when his base path is established.

[@XXelpollodiabloXX]

Baldelli should know this distinction. I don't understand how he can go out there and argue this (correct) non-call with a straight face unless his intent was to get run.

[@closethockeyfan5284]

It's a classic case of [insert team colors] glasses on a close play. "What do you mean, within three feet? Of course he's out of the base path! It wasn't even close! I have 20/navy-red-white vision--do you need to borrow my navy-red-white glasses?!"

[@XXelpollodiabloXX]

@@closethockeyfan5284 This got an honest snort laugh from me. "20/[team colors] vision" is the absolute best way to describe this kind of stuff.

[@michaelfalkner1186]

I don't even think it was three feet from where he was running before the last fielder got the ball.

[@srellison561]

One thing I didn't see mentioned was that there were two fielders on the baseline, forcing the runner to start his base path far off the base line to avoid collision. It was a good call, or non-call.

[@EvanEscher]

I was at the TCU/Cal State Fullerton baseball game last night, and a TCU batter-runner was ruled out on replay review after it was determine he was running inside the baseline en route to 1st base.

[@TPinesGold]

That is a violation of a completely different rule (Runner's Lane Interference) than the rule being discussed here. Perhaps you already know that, but it might be confusing to bring that up in the middle of this basepath topic.

[@EvanEscher]

@@TPinesGold yes, I know it's different

[@Caaaaaaarl]

Great analysis/explanation. I'd be curious to know what Baldelli was arguing, if he misunderstood the rule (like the announcers) or if he's arguing the runner went more than 3 ft out of the base path. The runner does look to be close to that 3 ft limit but might be over or under depending on how the 3 ft limit is measured. Is it measured from the runner's body part closest to the base path? His closest foot? His foot that's still on the ground?

[@MattZRJSRoxy]

every Umpire probably judges it differently BUT it's important to note that the base path isn't truly established until the tag attempt happens and I didn't see Ramirez moving that far away from the tag attempt.

[@owenzeiter4639]

Had a coach come out this weekend and argue this except this runner went the other way. The coach said no the runner gets a step and a tag. I said 3 feet, either way when a tag occurs. He said that’s not what pro rules say, then walked away lol. Think he knew he was wrong?

[@tiredolebones]

Safe. No base path violation.

[@StrivingTowardsWhatIsAhead]

Why did the Twins go with the old Marlins logo on their hats?

[@raf42]

Excellent video, but a bit of feedback: we could barely hear you over the broadcast from 2:20-2:45.

[@simeonwildman788]

Great analysis, but audio issues in the last 30 secs.

[@jzubov]

I agree with the UMPS on this one... Great job!

[@Samanthareneeheart10]

I'm my judgement no he was NOT out of the base path he was still with in 3 feet.

[@anthonylombardo1261]

This is like vlad jr. rounding 3rd last week for the obstruction call, just way more grey areas are highlighted this time around, the base lines and paths are rules that are just difficult to fully grasp.

[@2011SoxMD36]

Safe, safe, safe. All day, every time. Ramirez saw the lack of coverage real late, so his momentum established his path WAY wide. Not even close to 3 feet. Also one of the increasingly rare in the replay age "respectable ejections". On a judgement call like this, Rocco's doing his job going out there and pushing for an explanation and pleading the case, past a certain point Iassogna's just gotta toss him. The rare ejection where in all honesty, without knowing what anyone said, surface-level it looks like all around everyone just upheld their responsibility.

[@richpaul6806]

slightly off topic, but is "tag attempt" defined anywhere? Like what action from the fielder constitute an attempt to establish base path? say 3b catches the ball 6 ft directly in front of third base and 2r is still 30 ft away. 3b just stands there with the ball in he glove (both against his chest) and does not move knowing the runner will come to him. 2r gives him a wide birth and when he is 6 ft away he starts to go around 3B in a circle maintaining the 6 ft. 3b is asleep and does not move. Did 2r violate the base path rule? We all know 2r ran around 3b to avoid a tag attempt but 3b never made an overt tag attempt.

[@teebob21]

A "tag attempt" occurs when a fielder attempts to tag a runner. Simple possession of the ball is not a tag attempt. Don't overthink it.

[@MattZRJSRoxy]

well tag is defined according to Page 154 of the rules if you use the MLB site's PDF file "A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball (not including hanging laces alone), while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove. It is not a tag, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his touching a base or touching a runner, the fielder drops the ball. In establishing the validity of the tag, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball. If the fielder has made a tag and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the tag, the tag shall be adjudged to have been made. For purposes of this definition any jewelry being worn by a player (e.g., necklaces, bracelets, etc.) shall not constitute a part of the player’s body." so tag attempt, just use the same rules that apply for a tag as long as you have the ball and are trying to tag someone out.

[@richpaul6806]

@@MattZRJSRoxy I just think tag attempt an incredibly vague way to define it because no one will attempt a tag until they are close enough to tag someone.

[@teebob21]

@@richpaul6806 Yes, and that's why missed tags have never happened in all the history of baseball.

[@lastdance2099]

Rocco Baldelli ejected by Dan Lasagna, mamma mia that'sa spicy meat-a-balla!

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

I can't believe I ate the whole thing.

[@ericjohannsen]

@CloseCallSports At 1:10 you say baseline when you mean base path ;-)

[@jasonwetherford6103]

How could the umpire see that he missed the tag? That was close

[@teebob21]

MLB umpires have worked thousands of games from the high school level on up through the minors. U3 is able to see this missed tag due to good positioning, years of experience, and solid judgment of a rapidly developing situation. It's not that hard.

[@rc24caldwell19]

The simple way to understand how far runners are away from the (pink) baseline, imagine this play was the runner rounding 3rd in an attempt to score. How far away from the baseline do runners go all the time to properly round 3rd base and head home?

[@teebob21]

"TOO DAMN FAR" -- Most commenters and Baseball Myth Believers

[@alanhess9306]

I'm not seeing the relevance in your comment. What does it matter how far the runner goes from the baseline when rounding third? Unless a tag is attempted the runner can run wherever he wishes.

[@johnsmith-ei6ql]

In the Padre v Dodger game last night (5/7) in the bottom of the 9th, a tag was made on the runner going from 1st to 2nd. The runner was called out but the runner was not tagged. The ball was not in the glove. Padres could not challenge. Can umpires conference and correct the call?

[@teebob21]

Yes. A review may be, but is not required to be, initiated by the crew chief at anytime beginning in the 8th inning, if the on-field crew believes they are missing an element of the play.

[@stevekrause5931]

I agree. It was a good call.

[@billsmith5166]

If there is no tag attempt can a runner venture off into left field?

[@babababad]

it's called "skunk in the outfield" and it happens in little league sometimes--usually to right field though

[@craigwinter3792]

It's the whole basis of the "Skunk in the outfield" play.

[@BobbyMinn]

I think he's well outside of three feet just before his knee hits at 1:21. He's less than ten feet from the base and about six feet up the line towards left field. But this is after the tag attempt. Rocco was concerned with the mark Ramirez's knee left in the dirt. He got tossed for pointing to it. The base path has to end at the base, and the knee hits well up the third baseline.

[@bethhentges]

Doesn’t matter. Read the rule.

[@BobbyMinn]

​@@bethhentges I understand the rule just fine. Thanks. The graphics are not great. Ramirez's path is closer to the pink line than the blue line. Pause the video at 1:20 when Miranda's left foot has just left the ground. In the upper right, in the dirt, you can see the footstep Ramirez was taking when Miranda caught the ball. Sonny Gray is standing near third base. Connect those two points with a straight line. Ramirez is well off this path --- five feet at least.

[@babababad]

@@BobbyMinn it doesn't really matter where his knee or foot was, because the rule applies to the runner's whole body. As long as some part of the body remains within three feet of the basepath the runner is making himself fair game for the tag.

[@alanhess9306]

@@BobbyMinn The runner's basepath is established when the tag is attempted. Prior to that, the runner can wherever he wishes.

[@ronpeacock9939]

Iassogna is a very good on. And if he veered out, it was a step at most from where he was when the fielder got the ball... Hell, if we want to talk baseline.. call OBS.. because the runner had to veer out there before he had the ball to avoid contact... that's OBS...

[@guitarman416]

Pretty sure none of these announcers have ever read the rules

[@jasoncarpenter1438]

Is it three feet to the inside foot or outside foot? The outside foot looked more than three feet to me.

[@teebob21]

Generally, the guidance for umpires is to evaluate the position of the torso to determine 3+ feet from the path established at the time the tag attempt is initiated.

[@jamiethornton6101]

Looks to me like he went about 2 to 2 and 1/2 feet from the time he got possession.

[@seanstackhouse486]

👀 Where's E42? 😅

[@LindsayImber1]

Working on it. Last night from OAK-KC one of those check swing ejections I don't like at all.

[@seanstackhouse486]

@@LindsayImber1 Thanks! Now if only broadcasters had to pass the same type of training umpires do for the privilege of working these games. We'd get smarter and more insightful analysis rather than a friend of a friend who did a favor for a friend who happens to be a friend of a tv exceutive 😂

[@arley2246]

You would think the amount of people in a dugout, one of the coaches would know the rules. Wonder how foolish coaches feel when they get tossed and realise they are 0 for 4 on the year

[@joedavis4257]

Honestly, I can't believe a guy like Rocco, who has been around as much as he has, doesn't know this.

[@BrianSmith-gp9xr]

When a runner rounds second on way to third at full speed. He does not make a 90degree turn does he? He is well out side the so called line the manager was crying about. Not even close. No sane baseball person would argue that play.. Such disrepect in America is shown to kids from what should be role models. Shame on that Manager. Insult to the game.

[@aaronlovell6026]

If you can reach the bag with a slide, then you should be good.

[@caras2004]

42 Brent Rooker ejection

[@ryanvannice7878]

How does a baseball announcer not know such a fundamental rule??? Read the rule book just once, please. Now the manager was likely trying to argue base path so no issues with him.

[@chesterthompson6835]

Most announcers and most coaches are clueless about the actual rules.

[@xhxnchovibez]

Isn’t this ejection number 43…

[@J.C...]

Baldelli gonna be the next Aaron. Boone. 🤣

[@timothybrown2552]

I don't like the baseline/path rule, but that's me so..........?

[@Phil007QOS]

Why is there so many rules that managers and play by play guys are clueless about?? Shouldn’t they know the rules??

[@MattZRJSRoxy]

you would think so but they don't, we don't have common sense in this world and I've said something to Bally Sports about that.

[@herestoyoudoc]

a new rule should be that if a manager argues with the ump about the rules and is wrong they AND any broadcaster who agrees with them are suspended until they complete a remedial rules seminar

[@herotomillions4095]

Is it just me, or does it seem like baldelli gets ejected at least once a week?

[@critter2]

this like coaches telling me there players on in the base line the feilders im like ok i don't care

[@bethhentges]

Disappointed in the Twins announcers. They should know better.

[@brianorndorff1387]

Out, b/c close enough, and I can't remember the last time I've seen a runner called out for straying more than 3 feet.

[@CoachOlsson]

42?

[@CoachOlsson]

Oh I see. Just confusing lol

[@UvilleBill]

Shameful these announcers don't even know a rule that is in place from Little League on....................

[@FoxtasticGaming]

Between the 2 camera angles the first angle it's hard to tell how far he steps from the established path. The 2nd angle from 3rd base sure looks like more than 3 feet seeing he took 2 full strides to the right to avoid the tag. I can definitely see the argument for it.

[@dpwolk]

I'm not sure CloseCallSports is good for baseball. You are making all the announcers sound like idiots. I mean they make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and don't know the rules of the game they are announcing. I mean they really don't know the rules. Wouldn't be allowed in any other profession. What's wrong with this picture? Love your videos. Thank you.

[@votenanocratic]

Baseline and basepath rules are dumb and runners should be able to go wherever they want to avoid a tag. Fight me.

[@CybeastID]

To quote my copy of "Baseball for Dummies" on the subject of the 3 foot rule: "If you think this is a stupid rule, go attend your local Little League game. You will see baserunning efforts that will quickly convince you of the wisdom of this ruling."

[@Subangelis]

Technically, runners can go between bases via the outfield, but once a tag attempt is made is when the 3 foot rule applies.

[@kerrytodd3753]

Terrible call….he was clearly trying to avoid the tag and went beyond the three feet entitled to him……base path is the line he established right when fielder caught the ball and it’s not even really close. Umpires should be better than this…..

[@metzilla]

🤣 ... of course he's avoiding the tag, ...that's his job to advance to the next base🙄. You're like 1 of 3 people who disagree w/this call. It's a correct call, and there's no way in hell you'd call that any different if you were there as an umpire. However, your answer proves you're not an umpire.

[@MattZRJSRoxy]

@@metzilla correct, base path is established once the tag attempt occurs, there's no way Ramirez even took 2 feet to avoid that tag but he does have the authority to continue running once he avoids the tag attempt.

[@shannonmosley3290]

Sorry Lindsay in my judgement the runner is more than 3 feet from the tag attempt; runner is out.

[@alanhess9306]

Wrong. It is explained in the video and you still don't understand it? Go watch soccer or lacrosse.

[@shannonmosley3290]

@@alanhess9306 I don't need some poop head telling me to watch soccer or lacrosse, it's my judgement and my judgement only. the fielder had possession of the baseball; in my judgement the runner is more than 3 feet from the base path; runner is out.

[@alanhess9306]

@@shannonmosley3290 He wasn't more than three feet as explained in the video. You simply don't know the rule.

[@incubusrok]

Definitely went farther than 3 feet. Bad call.

[@alanhess9306]

Wrong. It is explained in the video and you still don't understand it? Go watch soccer or lacrosse.

[@arley2246]

He actually went towards the tag haha

[@LunkerswithLucas]

ramirez avoided the tag, he should have been out. terrible call, miranda tried to tag him

[@alanhess9306]

Watch the video again and pay attention this time. 100% correct call.

[@MattZRJSRoxy]

​@@alanhess9306 correct, there's nothing wrong with Ramirez avoiding the tag so I don't know what that other person was complaining about it being a bad call since it's not a bad call at all. The base path only counts once the tag attempt happens so when the fielder tries to tag Ramirez then that's a tag attempt as long as he has possession of the baseball.

[@GuyCarpenter-hp2ln]

MLB likes to steal from the NFL, here's another that's been amazing. Replay assist. Another ump watches that specific game and if it's a clear "wtf" moment, the ump above radios in the correct call. Would work great with the triple A challenge system.