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An important thing about officiating MLB games is finding unified criteria about specific plays and the interpretation of rules.

It’s not always easy, but being the best league in the world, there are certain expectations associated with umpires’ performances.

Unfortunately, they aren’t always consistent when calling a similar play.

For example, a week ago, a game between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals was decided in favor of the former when umpires didn’t call interference after Jake Meyers ran outside of the baseline.

On Wednesday, in the game between the Astros and the New York Mets, there was a similar play.

Pete Alonso hit a slow grounder which had to be fielded by the pitcher.

The umpires called Alonso out after they determined he didn’t follow a natural trajectory and interfered with the throw, eliminating the possibility of a rally for the Mets.

“In Houston, Pete Alonso called for running outside the baseline. The same play went the other way for the Nationals just last week,” Nationals insider Andrew Golden tweeted.

In Houston, Pete Alonso called for running outside the baseline. The same play went the other way for the Nationals just last week.

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) June 21, 2023

Last week’s decision resulted in a huge controversy and even prompted Nationals umpire Dave Martinez to show up to the press conference with a picture of the exact moment in which Meyers runs out of the line and affects the play.

Whether umpires call it one way or the other, it would be nice to have some consistency, especially since it’s a play that will likely happen again in any given game.

It’s only fair for everybody involved.

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