The Chicago White Sox are still alive in their ALDS matchup against the Houston Astros thanks to a 12-6 win on Sunday … and a rules quirk that has fans everywhere scratching their heads.
With the Sox up 7-6 in the 4th inning and runners on first and third, catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a grounder to Yuli Gurriel at first base. The runner at third, Luis Robert, took off for home, so Gurriel threw down the line … except he hit Grandal in the shoulder, the ball went wide of Martin Maldonado’s glove and Robert scored.
But Gurriel was very much outside the first-base line, which had everyone — including the Astros — claiming it was interference. It wasn’t!
It’s time to learn yet another MLB rule to explain why this WASN’T interference:
Here's the play
Look at how far inside the baseline he is! Isn’t that interference?
Do you think Grandal should be called out here? pic.twitter.com/FZzcOMzLPT
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 11, 2021
Grandal did this on purpose. Come on. MLB not having the ability to replay this is very on brand. pic.twitter.com/pCrtEu8Rwo
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) October 11, 2021
Let's explain the rule here
I have read as much as I can on it, and I’m writing this early Monday morning … but I think I get it.
Rule 5.09(a)(11) in the MLB rulebook has this to say:
[A batter 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, he runs 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; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the threefoot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
The key language here is “with the fielder TAKING the throw at first base.”
Wait, the rule only applies to TAKING the throw and not ... THROWING the throw?
That appears to be the case! From ESPN:
“We decided that there was no interference because on that play, where the ball is hit to the infield and then coming back to the plate, that 45-foot line does not even come into play,” crew chief Tom Hallion said. “The batter established his basepath when he came out of the box and started running. He didn’t veer off. He didn’t throw up his shoulder. He did nothing intentional to get hit with that ball.”
The play is different than if the throw was going to first to get Grandal. Then he would subjected to interference without intent, but the throw home is no different than one to any other base. If it hits the runner, it’s a live ball and no interference is called.
Now I hear we're needed in Chicago as Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel's throw home hits White Sox batter-runner Yasmani Grandal on the grass.
It's NOT runner's lane interference since RLI ONLY applies on plays TO first base, not from it.
As for intent INT, the runner establishes a path. pic.twitter.com/bJBIUib3Io
— Close Call Sports & Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (@CloseCallSports) October 11, 2021
It's very confusing
This explanation from Patrick Creighton will help:
Grandal is running in a non defined baseline as throw is not going to 1st base.
Therefore, as both requirements to establish a baseline are not met, Grandal by rule cannot be outside of the baseline, a sign doesn’t exist. /4
— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) October 11, 2021
The other option, which doesn’t apply, is that batter-runner ran in a manner to deliberately interfere with the ball being fielded (this was not the scenario) so while the play hurt the #Astros, it was not an illegal act by Grandal.
/end— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) October 11, 2021
This one from Harold Reynolds is also good:
Harold explains the ruling behind Yuli Gurriel's 4th inning throw that deflected off Yasmani Grandal. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/Rv0jZ6jvfW
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 11, 2021
Grandal might have known this was the case
Check out the view from the back of Gurriel:
The Grandal call was correct by the rule, but the rule needs to be changed. From this angle, it’s clear that Grandal [anticipating a play at the plate?] ran to a spot between the 1st baseman and the catcher.
If I were a manager, I’d now be instructing my team to do the same. pic.twitter.com/lXRX3NiIrV
— Tony Adams (@adams_at) October 11, 2021
I love what he said in his postgame interview:
“All the sudden he’s throwing the ball right at me… I tried to get my shoulder out of the way… I told the guys it was good base-running. We’ll leave it at that.” – Yasmani Grandal pic.twitter.com/4T052Y2C6p
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 11, 2021
