NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe appeared to level the score of ALDS Game 3 during the sixth frame, a belief shared by his Yankees squad. However, the potential two-run homer by Volpe against the Rays this Wednesday (TB 4, NY 3) was invalidated via video review due to spectator interference. A spectator visibly leaned past the left field fence to touch the ball while Victor Mesa Jr. positioned himself underneath to attempt a catch.
“As soon as the ball was struck, from my perspective watching the field, I felt an immediate sense of worry because something seemed off. I couldn’t tell for certain,” explained Yankees skipper Aaron Boone following the matchup. “But once I watched the video playback and observed the sequence, I believe the officials made the correct decision. They ultimately made the proper call.”
The ruling was adjusted, resulting in Volpe receiving an RBI double. Rays skipper Kevin Cash lobbied for the play to be ruled an out instead, though his protest was unsuccessful. Below is the sequence:
“From my point of view, it seemed the replay booth in New York reached the correct conclusion,” Cash remarked after the game. “I haven’t reviewed the footage myself yet. My only visual was the replay displayed on the stadium scoreboard. I doubted the ball had enough distance to clear the wall, and the replay officials positioned the baserunners accordingly. It’s hard to say whether the fielder would have secured the catch or if the runner would have crossed home plate regardless.”
An alternative side-view replay provided unmistakable proof that the ball lacked the distance to clear the wall for a home run, meaning it would have stayed within the playing area. Major League Baseball’s Rule 6.0.1(e) governs instances of fan interference. The official rule states, with my added emphasis:
A distinction must be made between a ball that enters the seating area via a throw or hit, contacting a fan and thus becoming dead even if it bounces back onto the grass, and a scenario where a fan enters the playing area or extends beyond, beneath, or across a protective barrier to touch a live ball or disrupt a player. This subsequent action is deemed deliberate and is managed as purposeful obstruction under Rule 6.01(d). The hitter and base occupants must be positioned at the bases they would have occupied, according to the officiating crew’s assessment, had the disruption not taken place.
The replay hub determined that Mesa was unlikely to make the catch and that Volpe would have safely reached second, resulting in him being placed at second base. George Lombard Jr., who started at first base, was permitted to cross home plate as he had been in motion upon contact with two outs recorded. Consequently, what initially appeared to be a score-equalizing two-run home run was modified to an RBI double, pulling New York within a single run.
“Upon examining every available camera perspective, the Replay Official concluded with certainty that a fan disrupted the ball’s path within the live field of play,” declared the Major League Baseball Replay Center in an official statement. “The ball lacked the trajectory to clear the fence and would not have been caught by the fielder. The initial ruling is REVERSED; fan interference occurred, nullifying the home run. Furthermore, the Replay Official credited one run to the batting team and positioned the hitter at second base.”
The revoked run ultimately carried heavy consequences, as the Rays maintained their narrow 4-3 advantage to secure both Game 3 and the ALDS crown, knocking the Yankees out of postseason contention.
