In any given baseball game, you’re bound to see something new. And yet, the MLB rulebook has seemingly thought of every scenario. That was the case on Sunday.
With the Blue Jays batting in the first inning of their game against the Guardians, Justin Turner looked to advance to second when Triston McKenzie spiked a curveball into the dirt. The aggressive base running seemingly backfired as David Fry’s throw to second was on the money and ahead of Turner’s slide.
Turner was called out on the play, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider noticed that Daniel Schneemann’s tag was applied to Turner’s dislodged helmet. He challenged the play, and that ended up being a smart move.
Never seen this one before…
Umpires overturn this and call Justin Turner safe because his helmet fell off and prevented the fielder from tagging him pic.twitter.com/mJbI98Q98R
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 23, 2024
The replay would show that Schneemann’s tag only made contact with Turner’s helmet, which basically blocked the glove from applying the tag anywhere else. MLB rules don’t consider equipment as part of the body when it comes loose in the natural course of a play. So, a player can’t intentionally remove his helmet and block tags. But when something like that happens, tagging a loose helmet does not count.
A similar play happened last season when Ozzie Albies got a stolen base because his loose helmet was tagged.
It looked like Javy had made one of his signature tags to get Ozzie Albies, but since his helmet came off it doesn’t count as part of the body and Ozzie gets the stolen base!
Not something you see everyday. pic.twitter.com/virqwAFiCJ
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 13, 2023
Replay got the call right and overturned the initial out ruling. Turner ended up getting stranded at second, so the call didn’t have a major impact. But still, it was enough to have MLB fans confused.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
He’s done this before, clearly a strategy. My opinion: If you’re a runner & your equipment is ‘off’ but the fielder pins your equipment to you with the ball, you’re out. Get a helmet that fits. I also believe a defender blocking the base should extend the base to their foot. https://t.co/uSi9ZbcdF8
— Blake (@blakekresge) June 23, 2024
I assume the call is "correct" but clearly in a just world he would be out. Probably not worth a new rule because it'll probably never happen again. https://t.co/qf94Wgc4cB
— Rob Neyer (@robneyer) June 23, 2024
2024 the year of the helmet becoming a defensive baserunning tool https://t.co/PwFHUkZxwt
— Vacation Mike🌴 (@mhuntone) June 23, 2024
Should be out https://t.co/O6L9FyYaZx
— James Wilson Jr. (@UberHaxorRicky) June 23, 2024
He should be out since the helmet was still on his body https://t.co/L0MDDy18aC
— Hurtis Granderson (@mrfr3shly) June 23, 2024
What’s a tag in the MLB? What’s a catch in the NFL ? https://t.co/hh2r1Q1Pby
— RJ (@The1RJK) June 23, 2024
Hmm, that's a tough call. I think he should be out. 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/mebzSdJSVp
— Brian (@PHILLYFANBRI) June 23, 2024
There’s no way this shouldn’t be out, keep your equipment on your person https://t.co/OlxgULqXJL
— Matt Parker (@zoonmattau) June 23, 2024
Dude is out. Replay in baseball is dumb half the time. https://t.co/FmwUCJPKbE
— Redbirds Culture (@RedBirds_OMSBL) June 23, 2024
Just when you think you’ve seen it all https://t.co/hpH13outL5
— King Kasper 👻 (@Made_Mann2) June 23, 2024
