Mets batter-runner Francisco Lindor earned his 4th strikeout on runner's lane interference when HP Umpire Erich Bacchus called him for running on the infield grass and interfering with St Louis' play. Manager Carlos Mendoza argued to no avail, but did he have a point? Article: [ Ссылка ]

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Runner's Lane Interference (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11)) states that a batter is out for running the last half to first base not within the three-foot wide running lane (or the new-for-2024 dirt portion between the foul line and infield grass lip), and in doing so, interfering with the fielder taking the throw at first base.

Our analysis illustrates a key point of OBR/professional baseball's RLI rule by citing equivalent rules at other levels.

In college, NCAA Rule 7-11-p has a note that states a BR can be called out for "alter[ing] the throw of a fielder" in addition to the fielder taking the throw, while NFHS 8-4-1g simply puts the batter-runner out for running outside the lane, regardless of what happens next.

The primary difference then is that OBR considers only whether the illegally positioned batter-runner has interfered with the fielder receiving or taking the throw at first base while NCAA allows for RLI if the interference is with the fielder making the throw (by forcing them to alter their throw).

Accordingly, this play is RLI in NFHS and NCAA, but only can be called in OBR if the umpire deems the receiver (Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt) is interfered with by the batter-runner. The confounding variable here pertains to catcher Willson Contreras' throw, which was high and eluded Goldy even after he jumped in an attempt to catch the ball.

If the throw could not have reasonably retired the runner, in pro, then the play should not be called runner's lane interference. If it could have reasonably retired the runner, then it is RLI.

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