It’s not often a piece of protective gear decides a baseball game.
It happened Tuesday night in the St. John’s vs. Fairfield game. A day later, the play has sparked a viral video and led to huge debate among fans.
The scenario: In the 11th inning, Fairfield pitcher Grant Smeltzer threw a pitch in the dirt. Catcher Tyler Kipp made a nice block. However, right before the ball rolled to a stop, he touched the ball with his face mask.
The first-base umpire immediately called interference on Kipp for illegal use of his catcher’s equipment. So, he waved the runner on third base to score.
Not often do you see a catcher balk but here's how we took the lead! @NCAABaseball pic.twitter.com/ns4vyRH9n5
— St. John's Baseball (@StJohnsBaseball) March 28, 2023
The video logged more than 3.2 million views in its first 24 hours.
That run ultimately proved to be the game-winner, as St. John’s held Fairfield scoreless in the bottom of the 11th to win, 5-4.
So what is the ruling? Many fans contended the play is known as a catcher’s balk. Others vehemently disagreed. Part of the confusion might stem from a similar situation in a 2021 MLB game. On that play, San Francisco Giants catcher Curt Casali also used his mask to stop a ball in the dirt, and both runners were allowed to advance one base.
Curt Casali was called for a catcher's balk after stopping the ball with his mask pic.twitter.com/ypzOqr9RAt
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 4, 2021
According to MLB.com, the official scorer erroneously ruled that play a “catcher’s balk.” The proper ruling, according to MLB.com, is that runners are allowed to advance one base when “A fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person.”
The general consensus is that the Fairfield catcher’s mistake should have been ruled an error, for improper use of equipment, and the runner allowed to advance. Some Twitter users got heated debating the official ruling.
It’s a rule. Can’t stop or touch the ball with the face mask. Not an ump show at all.
— Michael Schlact (@michael_schlact) March 29, 2023
To all the uneducated clowns in the stands it was a detached equipment violation when the ball hit the mask. Know the rules before you open your uninformed mouths. Yes, I am an umpire.
— Luke Lukawesky (@LLukawesky) March 29, 2023
Can’t use your “equipment” to get the ball….. may be a silly call and/or a silly rule, but a rule none the less. 🤷♂️
— SportsDad (@jbarnick2251) March 29, 2023
Not a balk….
— James Binnebose (@JamesBinnebose) March 29, 2023
Not a balk, it’s an error. Correct call by the book.
— Wet Penguin 🌵 🏴☠️ (@PenguinWet) March 29, 2023
This is equivalent to getting a speeding ticket for going 36 in a 35 zone.
— Lefty Horrendous (@rawmenknewdle) March 29, 2023
— Michael Schlact (@michael_schlact) March 29, 2023
[Baseball Quotes]; Outkick.com]