Anthony Volpe Home Run Overturned Due to Fan Interference
Anthony Volpe lost a game-tying home run during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night after umpires overturned the call on replay review due to fan interference, changing the hit to a double, mlb.com reported. The ruling cut the Tampa Bay Rays’ lead to one run instead of tying the game, keeping the New York Yankees trailing.
The Sixth-Inning Play at Yankee Stadium
With George Lombard Jr. stationed on first base, Volpe faced relief pitcher Griffin Jax and worked a 1-0 count before driving a sinker deep toward left field. The ball carried directly to the outfield wall where left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. leaped in an attempt to make the catch. Mesa failed to reach the ball, which instead struck a fan in the hands.
Umpires gathered to review the sequence and determined that Mesa would not have secured the catch even without the fan’s interference. Because the obstruction occurred over the field of play, officials awarded Volpe an RBI double rather than nullifying the hit entirely.
Echoes of the 1996 Postseason
The incident immediately recalled one of the most famous and debated plays in baseball postseason history, which took place nearly three decades prior. On Oct. 9, 1996, 12-year-old spectator Jeffrey Maier deflected a ball hit by Derek Jeter during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. That deflection was ruled a home run at the time, altering the trajectory of the series.
Wednesday’s ruling in the Bronx prevented a home run entirely, restricting Volpe to second base and leaving the Yankees with a narrower offensive outcome than the 1996 precedent provided.
