baseballrules

During the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers could have had a double play when Pedro Martinez attempted a sacrifice bunt during the top of the third inning during Game #2. However, a little gamesmanship by Dodgers first baseman James Loney did not go unnoticed by the umpires.

With one out and Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz on first base, Martinez popped up his bunt. Loney had the ball in his glove, but let it drop. Ruiz, thinking the ball would be caught, had gone back to first.

Loney threw to Ronnie Belliard, who covered first base and stepped on the bag before tagging Ruiz. The umps ruled only Martinez out on the play and allowed Ruiz to occupy first base.

The umpires ruled that Loney intentionally dropped the ball. According to MLB rule 6.05 (L), the batter is automatically out if an “infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.”

If he had fielded the ball on a hop, Loney could have attempted a more conventional double play by throwing to second base to force Ruiz and trying to double up Martinez at first.

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