A rare application of MLB Rule 5.09(c)(4) allowed a Boston Red Sox run to count during a seventh-inning sequence against the Toronto Blue Jays, despite the defensive team recording three outs. The ruling centered on the timing of a defensive appeal at first base relative to a runner crossing home plate, which officials classified as a time play rather than a force play.
Rule 5.09(c)(4) and the Mechanics of the Fourth Out
The controversy unfolded after Red Sox batter Ceddanne Rafaela hit a fly ball with runners on first and third. Toronto center-fielder Brett Bateman caught the ball for the second out, and the Blue Jays subsequently doubled off Nick Sogard at first base for what they believed was the third out. However, because runner Anthony Siegler had crossed home plate before the appeal at first was completed, the run remained on the board.
According to crew chief Chris Guccione, the play was not a force play, meaning the timing of the runner touching home plate took precedence. “In order for the run not to score, Toronto would have had to make an appeal at third base before the infielders left the infield,” Guccione told reporters, as noted by Chris Cotillo. By failing to appeal that Siegler had left third base early before departing the field, the Blue Jays allowed the run to stand under the provisions of Rule 5.09(c)(4).
Did you know?
Rule 5.09(c)(4) allows for an “apparent fourth out.” If a defense makes a mistake on an initial appeal, they can potentially supersede it with a second, more advantageous appeal at a different base, provided they do so before leaving the field.
Disputed Umpire Communication
Blue Jays manager John Schneider contested the ruling, arguing that his team was effectively prevented from making the necessary second appeal. According to comments shared on the Sportsnet broadcast by Hazel Mae, pitcher Max Scherzer indicated the crew had signaled the team off the field, creating a misunderstanding regarding the status of the inning.
“No one was given that opportunity to do so based on the reaction from the four umpires,” Schneider stated post-game. He noted that home-plate umpire Charlie Ramos had initially waived off the run, leading the team to believe the inning was over. The umpires maintained, after consultation with MLB, that the defensive players had already crossed the third-base line before the signal to vacate the field was given.
Comparative Perspectives on the Ruling
The incident highlighted a divide between the official application of the rules and the on-field experience of the participants. While BVMSports reports that the decision underscores the complexity of baseball’s appeal process, the Blue Jays’ dissatisfaction centers on the lack of clarity during the transition between the play and the subsequent review.
| Perspective | Key Argument |
|---|---|
| Umpiring Crew | The play was a “time play” and the defense failed to appeal third base before leaving the field. |
| Toronto Blue Jays | The team was waved off the field by umpires, preventing a timely secondary appeal. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the run count if there were three outs?
Under MLB rules, an appeal play is treated differently than a standard force out. Because it was a time play, the run counts if the runner touches home before the defensive team completes an appeal, unless the defense successfully appeals a base-running infraction (like leaving early) before the inning officially ends.
What defines “leaving the field”?
According to Rule 5.09(c)(4), a team has left the field when the pitcher and all infielders have vacated fair territory on their way to the bench or the clubhouse.
Can a team make more than one appeal?
Yes. If there are multiple potential appeals in a play that ends an inning, the defense may elect to take the out that provides them the greatest advantage, provided they execute the appeals before leaving the field.
Have you ever seen a game decided by a rare rule interpretation like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into the nuances of MLB officiating.
Keep reading