Jeffers' Runner's Lane Interference No-Call Highlights Difference in RLI Rules by Level of Play

When HP Umpire Tom Hallion no-called Twins batter-runner Ryan Jeffer's potential runner's lane interference play in Texas, we were asked why Jeffers, who failed to run within the runner's lane, was not declared out. Article: www.closecallsports.com/2021/...
The answer is Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11), which states that a batter-runner is out when, "In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."
The key phrase here is "interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base" and brings forth a Wendelstedt interpretation that RLI should only be called in cases where the throw "could still reasonably retire the runner" if not for the batter's interaction with the fielder receiving the throw.
In this case, Jeffers is certainly running to the left of the foul line, but Rangers pitcher Mike Foltynewicz's throw could not "reasonably retire" Jeffers. Because Folty threw the ball above Jeffers' head, forcing first baseman Nate Lowe to jump to receive it, pulling Lowe off the bag as Jeffers touched first base, we don't have a reasonable throw. Furthermore, because it appears Lowe was able to catch the ball notwithstanding Jeffers' position, we might not even have an otherwise-illegal interaction between batter-runner and fielder.
In college, by contrast, this WOULD be runner's lane interference because NCAA Rule 7-11-p Approved Ruling 1 states that if the batter-runner running illegally to first base alters the throw of a fielder, that action is enough for an interference call. Because it does appear that Folty's throw was altered because of Jeffers' position, in college, this would be a runner's lane interference candidate.
And in high school, this would result in an out because Jeffers failed to run within the lane as the ball was being fielded to first base (NFHS 8-4-1g). NFHS does not require more of an "interfering" act than simply running illegally as a ball is being fielded to, or thrown to, first base.
How could Texas get an interference call here? If Folty's throw drilled Jeffers in the back, that would be enough for RLI because by drilling Jeffers in the back, it would deprive Lowe-the fielder taking the throw at first base-of the opportunity to receive a throw that might have reasonably retired the runner, if not for the runner's interference.
Finally, we consider the 2019 World Series play (Nationals-Astros) when HP Umpire and Crew Chief Sam Holbrook ruled Trea Turner out for runner's lane interference on a similar play. The difference between the Nats-Stros play and this one, however, was that Turner directly interfered with first baseman Yuli Gurriel taking the throw by virtue of Turner knocking Gurriel's glove off of his hand as he attempted to catch the throw.

[@Briansgate]

so basically, the pitcher SHOULD have hit the runner with the ball...

[@kenconnelly773]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@locustjohn3865]

I'm watching this thinking "the pitcher should have just thrown at the runner?" Then Gil pops up with "had the pitcher's throw drilled the runner in the back, that also would have been RLI." All right, answered that question.

[@arleyhaskell7241]

Only thing is it appears to be intentional than pitcher is tossed for intent to injure or fined/suspended after the game.

[@bigdadddyd123]

Yes

[@almostfm]

Exactly what I was taught as a catcher-if he's not in the lane, aim for the numbers on the back of the uniform.

[@rhpmike]

I could never be a KZbinr. Every single video there is somebody in the comments asking a question that proves they didn't watch even one minute of the video.

[@paulolden4337]

Wow, just send those announcers a rule book (not that they'd take the time to read it🙂). Great info, still again.

[@davidlocke3477]

So the pitcher should have just drilled the runner in the back, kickball style?

[@Greasyspleen]

Just throw it normally, like the runner isn't there. If it hits him or not, if the first baseman has difficulty catching it, they'll probably get the call because the first baseman's view is obstructed at the very least.

[@seanmaher3401]

MLB should pay for a rule analyst like they do in the NFL so the announcers could just turn to them for their insight to save them from sounding stupid

[@bigdadddyd123]

That would be awesome but they would need at minimum 15 of them for each broadcast since there are 30 teams playing possibly at 1 time.

[@stephenbeck7222]

NFL only has 4 networks broadcasting games and they each have 1 or 2 rules commentators. It’s not the league that provides this but the networks. In baseball, every team has their own regional sports network that broadcasts the game. It would be nice if the umpires had a way to briefly explain calls during the game to the fans or to the guys on tv. You even see this in basketball games now, where the head ref will walk over to the broadcast crew and give a quick call.

[@theburnetts]

I totally agree with this. MLB should provide like 3 rules experts in a central location in NY or something monitoring all of the games and then allow the regional sports networks to bring those people in on any particular game if there is a rules issue.

[@alanhess9306]

or the announcers could make an effort to learn the rules or keep their mouths shut instead of guessing at what the rule is.

[@MH3GL]

Poor fundamental baseball continues to ruin this game. CloseCallSports continues to provide clarity to the craziness.

[@TeemoQuinton]

And a worse rule continues to punish right handed batters running in the RIGHT LANE

[@alanhess9306]

@@TeemoQuinton Nonsense. It's not hard to get into the lane 45 feet down the line.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@alanhess9306 factually it is slower for the righty batters to get in the lane no matter how far down they get in. Likewise, it's also true that just stepping on the line constitutes them being in the lane as it is baseball.

[@bofa83]

I had a play in a high school game, similar to the second play in this video. Ground ball to the left side of the infield, the throw took the first baseman’s glove into the path of the runner. Hand and runner collide, broke the fielders wrist. My partner called no interference, I asked why(as I am a new umpire) he said because the throw took the first basemen into the path of the runner. Is that correct?

[@rayray4192]

Running lane interference happens when a throw comes from the imaginary rectangular box in front of home plate. The throw can come from a catcher, pitcher, first baseman, or third baseman. There can never be R.L.I. on a ground ball hit to the left side of the infield. It’s usually a swinging bunt which is a slowly hit ball in front of home plate.

[@rayray4192]

More collisions and injuries happen at first base than all the other bases combined. If the throw took the fielder into the path of a batter/ runner you have a collision only.

[@bsdsooner]

It’s interesting that the announcer says “you see this called all the time…”. Interference or obstruction used to be a call you rarely saw. Now it seems like it is being called multiple times a game (at all levels of baseball & softball). I’m curious if this was a “point of emphasis” or something the umpires were told to watch for. Could you comment on the runner’s interference called in Game 3 of the Texas-South Florida NCAA Super Regional? It was called on a runner sliding back to first on a pickoff.

[@terrygagne6006]

AO-8-⁸877,¥££9998c ,who

[@royn8032]

I have a questio : If 1st baseman keeps his whole foot on base or puts foot in runners lane, is that obstruction even if his body is away from runner?

[@Subangelis]

On the base, no. In the lane, possibly. Depending on the situation. That's a case by case basis, depending on all the factors in that play.

[@rayray4192]

Rich Marazzi is a rules interpreter for 17 MLB teams. He’s also a rules interpreter for Chris Walsh at Baseball Rules Academy. Rich says he’s only seen one player do it right, and he means stand off first base inside the infield, and receive the throw, and then step on first base. Forget about first base until you have possession of the ball. It’s a much better way to make the play. I think the player was Brandon Phillips. Interesting that he was not a first baseman- he was a second baseman.

[@robertbrown7470]

Here's a better example in high school: Batter-runner is running outside the runner's lane just in fair territory. F3 give a target to the catcher in fair terrirtory. Catcher makes a perfect throw but F3 muffs the throw but not because of any interference by the B-R. Interference is ignored, by rule, as there was no interference on the throw.

[@robertbrown7470]

I submit that the High School rule, as written, does not make it an automatic out if the batter-runner is running in fair territory and a throw is made. If there are official rules interpretations on this, please let me know.

[@robertbrown7470]

Let me give you another example in High School. Say the catcher literally makes a bad throw, the ball slips out of his hand and goes somewere. The B-R did not interfere with the throw in any way. What is the ruling: He made a throw so the batter-runner is automatically out? Or, the batter-runner is safe because he did not interfere with a throw? Or is umpire judgment out the window regarding the throw? I'm not seeing any interpretations that say the B-R is automatically out if any kind of throw is made where he does nto interefere with the throw.

[@Lrs12359]

I’m not familiar with all the nuances (I’m English ) could the first baseman have made it easier for the pitcher by moving into foul territory so his right foot was on the bag not his left or is there a rule against doing that?

[@ieatoutoften872]

Lars S, The answer to your question is "yes," but the first baseman might incur both a penalty and an injury if the batter-runner decides to change paths and enter the lane late. Although, the batter-runner should be the only one penalized when entering the lane late (that is, after the lane starts). So that everybody understands you and me, the batter-runner lane begins halfway between home plate and 1st base. This lane is about a meter wide, and it exists outside of fair [fair-ball] territory (that is, the lane is in foul territory). To execute the alternative you described, the person throwing the ball takes about 2 more steps into foul territory after grabbing the ball in fair territory, and simultaneously and tersely yells "Outside!" to alert everybody that the ball is about to be thrown through the hopefully still vacant lane. (A vacant lane is shown in this video.) The first baseman reacts to the yell by moving to foul territory, as you described. Now a problem can occur if the batter-runner suddenly (or surprisingly) veers (goes) into the lane late and runs over the adjusted first baseman rugby-style. Adding insult to the trampled first baseman's resulting injury, the first baseman might be wrongfully penalized for obstruction against the batter-runner who entered the lane late ... because shocked umpires do not always recall exactly where or when a batter-runner enters the lane ... especially after a trampling tragedy occurs. The alternative you described works well in little league (for players under 15 years old) where the umpires and players are not so well trained as to know the nuances of the running lane rule(s), and where the batter-runner is kind enough to continue running [sloppily] on the "inside" (that is, in fair territory) all the way to 1st base (as shown in this video), and the amateur batter-runner is too timid to purposely collide ... rather than suddenly cross the foul line into the lane [for example] a few steps before 1st base. In the U.S.A., city recreation center administrators charge the teams playing on any given day at least an extra $100 to have a grounds keeper apply non-permanent lines on the field with chalk powder. Taxes do not pay for public recreation center chalk lines in the U.S.A. Most often little league managers mutually agree to let their respective team play without lines. In this amateur case, all concerned thriftily imagine where the chalk line should be located. So in most little league games, the coaches are wise to have their respective team practice the alternative you described ... because of the absence of a marked lane. My little league coach had us practice the alternative that you described which is legal (in compliance with the rules) at every level (young, old, professional, or amateur). Aside: A player in an adult league might legally take the risk of unintentionally throwing the ball to the outfield by targeting the back of the batter-runner as an attempt to demonstrate that the batter-runner is "interfering" with the play ... because [the batter-runner] did not enter the lane where the lane began (or because a batter-runner has not continued in the lane all the way to 1st base). The rules allow the batter-runner to keep running past 1st base after the lane ends, without liability to be tagged out. As other commenters have concluded, it is an inadequately addressed safety issue. Sadly, the next time any M.L.B. fielder, having seen this video, will most likely, with accuracy, and without penalty throw the ball 140 kilometers per hour into the spine of a batter-runner that does not enter the lane near where it starts and stay in the lane ... at least all the way to 1st base. An adequate and fair rule (that should have been written a hundred years ago) would have resulted in the batter-runner in this video being loudly declared out about two steps beyond the halfway point ... so as to remove a fielder's current incentive to purposely injure the batter-runner with a ball thrown towards 1st base ... next time.

[@PatAndOrRick]

Hi Lars, IEatOut Often has confused saying a lot, with just giving the facts. The answer to your question is that the first baseman can switch position to the foul side if needed and there is no penalty. There can be no obstruction on a fielder occupying a position necessary to field a throw and if IEatOut Often has seen umpires calling it then those umpires are wrong.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@@ieatoutoften872 ok so if the runner is punished for entering the lane late then youre not only punishing righties for starting outside but also punishing them in thevway the current and terrible rule is where you force them to go a bit slower to swing inside rather than run full steam straight. Give the righties their lane

[@ieatoutoften872]

@@TeemoQuinton If you were to allow, by rule, a right-handed batter-runner ("rightie") to run on either side of the foul line (for the last half of the distance) in the play shown in the video without liability of interference, then you are not being fair to the defense. You would be taking both the outside and inside (of the foul line) options from the defense. I agree with you in that both the status quo and my proposal require righties to veer ("swing") about half a meter to the right (into the lane shown in the video) after running halfway down a straight-line from the rightie"s batter's box to 1st base. Creating a new lane on the inside just for a rightie to stay in -- that's a smart idea (I never thought if it); and it would still give / leave the defense the outside option Lars S described. Aside: Both my proposal (call the batter out without a throw per a lane violation), and a slight variation of my proposal (at the 2:03 mark the high school rule is that the batter-runner is called out for a lane violation if any kind of attempted throw is made) do not work well in some dropped / bounced third-strike scenarios because a rightie running the whole way on the inside (helping the defense by staying out of the way) would not be interfering with a catcher trying to both recover and throw the ball on the outside of the 1st base foul line. It would be ridiculous to penalize a rightie (or a lefty) for running inside the foul line from the halfway mark all the way straight past first base ... in that particular dropped-third-strike scenario.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@@ieatoutoften872 who said to allow on both? Not me, ever. Lefties get their lane, the current one as its perfect for them but rightiest are actively punished. Give them the straight line from the box to the base. No crossing over. Edit: same dimensions for both, no crossing over [barring a fielder without ball interferes as we would rather not ever see a collision]

[@theburnetts]

Great explanation! Once you know the rule RLI is fairly simple to either call or not call. On a side note I wish baseball had a single set of rules at all levels.

[@EvanEscher]

The runners lane rules needs to change. Let the runner have the right of way to the entire dirt path between home and first.

[@TeemoQuinton]

The left handers have the current lane, the right handers have their lane. Fixed

[@theburnetts]

So if I'm a runner and there is a tapper out in front of home plate then I can run anywhere I want? I can run in the grass a bit to try and get in the way of the throw?

[@EvanEscher]

@@theburnetts did you read the words of my comment? I said anywhere on the dirt path. Last time I checked, grass is not dirt.

[@theburnetts]

@@EvanEscher So basically you are saying they still have to run in a lane, but just move the lane slightly to the left, correct? (dirt path is different in every stadium based on how and where they cut their grass)

[@EvanEscher]

@@theburnetts I didn't know the dirt was different for each field.

[@robertbrown7470]

High schoo rules: 8-4-1g 1. Batter-runner is running outside the lane just in fair terriroty. Catcher makes a perfect throw to retire the B-R. B-R does not interfere with the throw, first baseman simply dropped the ball. According to the rule in subsection 1. "This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball or if the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw." Relevant part of the rule... "This infraction is ignored ... if the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw. In the example I just gave, the B-R did not interefere with the fielders throw. So I should call the B-R out despite the rule?

[@sfan2767]

What about an analysis of the RLI rule with Trea Turner earlier this season?

[@CloseCallSports]

This one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2WskIqamch_jck

[@swoosh1428]

Eric, watch the WHOLE video CCS linked. It does cover Turner in the WS & his RLI in Chicago.

[@kenconnelly773]

He starts with the world series clip for whatever reason, but thats only the first 32 seconds of the over seven minute video. The last 6+ minutes is the Cubs RLI play.

[@dawnzephyr]

In that play Trea is interfering with the 1st baseman’s ability to catch the throw. The throw wasn’t affected by the runner, the ability to field it was. That’s RLI. In the above play, the 1st baseman fielded the ball cleanly. It was the throw that was impacted by the runner, and that’s not RLI.

[@critter2]

whats the point sending them this video? they just ignore it

[@dennis_the_menacesoonerlif9645]

That's when the pitcher starts yelling "Inside inside inside"

[@alonzobean1]

We were taught to hit the runner.

[@DJ2YTonly]

This is such a bad rule. The pitcher has to throw the ball at the runner and then count on the umpire to call RLI, otherwise you're throwing the ball away. Pitcher made the right play here and got punished for it, rule needs to be re-written.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

No, he needs to make a normal throw...are you trying to tell me the pitcher made a good decision throwing it so high the fielder has to jump for it?

[@DJ2YTonly]

@@rickhaavisto9023 He decided to not gamble on the ump calling RLI. He gave his 1B a chance to make the play without risking a throw away. If he throws it "normally" (aka at the runner) he then relies on the ump to make the RLI call, otherwise the batter heads to second. Umps are so inconsistent with this call, that I would not risk it, so I agree with the pitcher's decision. Bad rule.

[@rickhaavisto9023]

DJ2 No, he didn’t give 1B to a chance on making a play...what? He threw it 10 feet in the air!!!! You called it a great play!!! He almost threw it away on the play you said was made without risking a throw away. If the 1B didn’t make that catch, which I would say isn’t routine while expecting a throw, it would have been thrown away...

[@DJ2YTonly]

@@rickhaavisto9023 He threw a lob, not a bullet. 1B had a chance to go get it and come down. I wouldn't count on the ump to make the call. Feel free to disagree.

[@theburnetts]

How would you change the rule? How could the rule be changed to prevent a fielder from throwing at a runner in this situation? You have a situation where the fielder, the runner and the first baseman are all in a straight line together with the runner in the middle. How are you going to rewrite the rule? If the runner runs where he is supposed to (the runner's lane) then he won't be in the way and the fielder can throw to the first baseman without hitting him.

[@Back2Analog]

Another call I would've had wrong.

[@adamwilliams2253]

That's why you throw it at the runner

[@RR-oy1yh]

Wouldn't it be amazing if the people calling the game knew the rules? Is the book not portable? Could they not just have one next to them?

[@juanbustos1052]

@Nic Lazzari it's really not

[@seanmaher3401]

@Nic Lazzari Its complex when you try to memorize it, along with every single little exception and "what if" and "if this", but something like this could be easily looked up in a matter of seconds, even if by hand with a physical book

[@stephenbeck7222]

Nic Lazzari most of the guys calling games have been around the sport for decades. It’s not asking them much, if they’re going to sign a TV deal to sit and talk about baseball on a microphone for several hours a night for 6 months, to read up on some of the complexities of the sport.

[@LATHSPELL70]

Beam the runner. Sounds good.

[@spencerrogers8726]

That was what I heard, too

[@tubes-lut]

But wait long enough so he is close so you get the call.

[@TeemoQuinton]

The pitcher made the right throw, just threw it too high

[@Subangelis]

Could have thrown to the inside where Lowe was expecting it.

[@robertbrown7470]

Or take the high school play to the point of ridiculous but not impossible if a throw is an automatic out. R3, less than 2 outs. Batter taps a bunt right in front of the plate. Smart catcher knows if he makes a throw, no matter how bad, it is an automatic out on the B-R. Catcher throws the ball in the grass in front of him but toward first base. R3 thinking the catcher is making a throw to first comes in standing up. Catcher catches the ball on the bounce and takes a step or two towards the plate and tags R3 for the third out. Double play or one out on R3? B-R is safe at first as he did not interfere, in any way, on the throw?

[@KWally]

Broadcast companies should really try and get you on calls for broadcasts to help explain rules to their own broadcasters. The White Sox crew might actually start to learn the rules.

[@Niel2760]

To whom are you referring?

[@KWally]

@@Niel2760 Gil

[@Niel2760]

@@KWally sorry I meant on the White Sox broadcast.

[@KWally]

@@Niel2760 ahhhhhh, honestly no one in particular, I just hear homer calls from them constantly attacking umpires whenever an ejection happens. Tbh though, this would apply to pretty much all 30 teams.

[@locustjohn3865]

@@KWally The stench of Harrelson lingers and taints everything they say.

[@gsandy5235]

The pitcher should have drilled the runner between the numbers. That would have been interference.

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

Color me confused. Clearly Jeffers' position in the basepath altered the throw. He tried to basically lob it over his head.

[@swoosh1428]

… and at the professional level, the interference is with the CATCH. The throw was successfully lobbed over the batter-runners head. Did you watch that whole video with the sound off? Gil explained the nuance of the professional rule in comparison with two other armature rule sets.

[@PatAndOrRick]

Color me confused as to why somebody would comment asking the very question answered multiple times by the video.

[@TeemoQuinton]

As it should be. Dont force a bad throw, dont drill the batter Change the fucking rule

[@PatAndOrRick]

@@TeemoQuinton How about "if you don't want to be drilled, run in the fucking lane"? This is like complaining that guys who stand on the plate are liable to get drilled by the pitch.

[@chesterthompson6835]

The throw was not good because the runner was in the way. Had he been where he was supposed to be he likely would have been retired.

[@chesterthompson6835]

Guess the moral is drill the runner and don't attempt to avoid an injury.

[@rayray4192]

The throw was not good because pitchers are not baseball players - they are pitchers. A good throw was not only possible, but easy. Pitchers are trained to throw from a mound to home plate. If they could hit and throw they would not be pitchers.

[@rayray4192]

@@chesterthompson6835oh, you are a sociopath. Got it.

[@angelapianomusicstudio3816]

But the base itself is in fair territory, and therefore not in the runner’s lane?

[@ravenheaven2425]

No harm, no foul. He still got out of the inning without surrendering any more runs. The only "harm" I can see is that the pitcher's pitch count had to possibly go up a few more notches, maybe not because of the DP. Just had to take a DP to end the inning, maybe that's the "harm".

[@paulolden4337]

RavenHeaven24 - Do you know where the term "No harm, no foul" comes from?

[@rayray4192]

Excellent information for umpires who work official rules games and high school games.

[@rayray4192]

@@davej3781 good info Dave. Wonder if MLB will come into agreement with college and High school. I didn’t catch the Gil/ Lindsay error

[@rayray4192]

@@davej3781 you are absolutely correct Dave. Lindsay didn’t read far enough. I just spent 1/2 hr. parked at a scenic overlook at La Jolla, California. It’s the # 1 exception. You always have to read the exceptions. Lindsay should take down the video. It’s bad info for High School. I only call pro rule games. I might do high school in March. Hope you’re well. I’m looking at the Pacific

[@rayray4192]

@@davej3781 so what you are saying Dave, is the high school rule is there actually has to be interference with a throw or a fielder receiving a throw.

[@jackjon7763]

So in other words. Teach pitchers to throw at the back of tunners

[@TeemoQuinton]

Why the rule is fucked up

[@theburnetts]

Yes. However if the runner is in the runner's lane then throwing at the runner wouldn't help at all.

[@kerrytodd3753]

College has ridiculous rules……

[@NateNoMoore]

I hate the runners lane interference rule so much. Right handed batters are required to not run directly to first on close plays to ensure they aren't interfering.

[@alanhess9306]

Not true at all. It is not difficult for the batter-runner to get into the lane.

[@TeemoQuinton]

Is this RLI? Fuck no. Hes a right handed batter in the RIGHT LANE CHANGE THE FUCKING RULE SO IT DOESNT PUNISH RIGHT HANDED BATTERS AND REWARD BAD THROWS

[@beedevil11]

So this will have mlb pitchers getting coached up to drill the runner. Needs to revert to ncaa.

[@rayray4192]

Wrong, but thanks for playing. Pitchers are trained to throw the ball to the fielder’s chest. The pitcher failed to make a quality throw. Hit the batter/ runner and one of your hitters will be hit with a pitch. Rob Dibble was ejected for hitting a batter/ runner. He was a sociopath.

[@rayray4192]

“ Super annoying?” Broadcaster sucks. I watch games with no audio.