Atlanta Braves Off-Day Rulebook Fail (Reds/DBacks)

Oct 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; MLB executive Joe Torre reads from “Official Baseball Rules” during a press conference after game three of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Cardinals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Rules

Rule 5.08(b) addresses this situation… kinda:  it starts by indicating that runs are scored “…each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third, and home base before three men are put out…”.  Okay, fine.

There are multiple exceptions, however, and here are most relevant ones:

"EXCEPTION:  A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (a) by the batter-runner before he touches first base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases. (b) When the winning run is scored in the last half-inning of a regulation game, or in the last half of an extra inning, as the results of a base on balls, hit batter or any other play with the bases full which forces the runner on third to advance, the umpire shall not declare the game ended until the runner forced to advance from third has touched home base and the batter-runner has touched first base."

This last bit would seem to completely ignore whatever might happen at second and third base, never mind contradicting the ‘exception’ rule.  But stick with me here….

"Rule 5.08 Comment:  APPROVED RULING (1):  No run shall score during a play in which the third out is made by the batter-runner before he touches first base… (2) Following runners are not affected by an act of a preceding runner unless two are out.  EXAMPLE:  One out, Jones on second, Smith on first, and batter, Brown, hits home run inside the park.  Jones [the lead runner] fails to touch third on his way to the plate.  Smith and Brown score.  The defense holds the ball on third, appeals to umpire, and Jones is out.  Smith’s and Brown’s runs count."

A second example is cited where the circumstances change by making it two outs.  Then neither run counts.

Here are the problems with what I’m reading:

• that ‘Approved Ruling’ rule does not allow for a double play to end the inning.
• It directly contradicts the ‘Exception’ clause noted above (“…run is not scored…during a play in which the third out is made…by any runner being forced out“)
• It gives the umpires the power to declare a game over once the two conditions are met (runner scoring; batter reaching first base), but it does not compel them to do so (it’s a “shall not” clause; not a “shall”) – and thus, the Reds should have been permitted to complete the play.

Admittedly, it would have been a much more interesting argument had Cincinnati actually completed the play correctly.  Then I think they could have protested the game.

Next: Video... and a Suggested Rule Fix