MLB Deems Chad Epperson's On-Field Move Legal in Red Sox's 8-1 Win

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 4

An MLB official said Red Sox third base coach Chad Epperson's unusual move into fair territory during Wednesday's game was legal because it carried no automatic penalty unless it interfered with play.
Rule 5.03(c) requires base coaches to stay in the box, but lets them leave it to signal runners to slide, advance or return, with interference remaining the key standard for an umpire call.
The play drew attention because broadcasters said they had never seen a third base coach go that far onto the field, turning a routine in-game decision into a rules question.
Boston still got a rare bright spot from the night, beating Baltimore 8-1 to improve to 10-20 at Fenway in a season marked by injuries, a managerial firing and last-place results.