The Dead Ball in Baseball rule became the focal point of controversy during Game 6 of the 2025 World Series, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on October 31. A ninth-inning line drive by Addison Barger was ruled a ground-rule double after the ball lodged beneath the outfield padding. The call erased two Blue Jays runs and allowed the Dodgers to escape with a 5–4 win, forcing a decisive Game 7.
The ruling reignited debate over one of baseball’s most misunderstood rules.
The controversial Dead Ball in Baseball ruling occurred during Game 6 of the 2025 World Series on October 31 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Blue Jays batter Addison Barger hit a line drive off Dodgers reliever Roki Sasaki that stopped beneath the wall padding. Outfielder Justin Dean signaled the ball was unplayable, prompting umpires to declare a dead ball and award a ground-rule double. The decision reversed two runs and shifted momentum to Los Angeles, who closed out the game with a save from Tyler Glasnow.
Rule Application and Game Impact
- Dead Ball Definition:
- A live ball becomes unplayable (e.g., lodged in wall or padding)
- Play stops immediately
- Batter awarded second base; runners advance two bases max
- Game Impact:
- Blue Jays lost two runs
- Runners reset: Straw to third, Barger to second
- Dodgers closed game with three-pitch save
- Replay Analysis:
- Ball was visible but deemed stuck
- ESPN confirmed rule was correctly applied
The ruling was consistent with MLB’s official ground-rule double interpretation.
Quotes and Reactions
Former MLB umpire Dale Scott:
“These rulings are clear-cut by the book, even if they look strange in real time.”
Fan on X:
“That wasn’t stuck. That was playable. Toronto got robbed.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts postgame:
“We played within the rules. That’s all you can ask for in a moment like that.”
The call divided fans and analysts, with many calling for rule clarification.
Series Momentum and Rule Debate
The dead ball ruling flipped the momentum in Game 6, preserving the Dodgers’ season and sending the World Series to a winner-take-all Game 7. For Toronto, the reversal was a gut punch, erasing what could have been a decisive lead. The incident also reignited debate over MLB’s dead ball procedures, with calls for clearer guidelines on what constitutes a truly unplayable ball.
The controversy may prompt offseason review of ground-rule interpretations.
What’s Next: Game 7 and MLB Rule Discussions
- Game 7: Saturday night, Rogers Centre
- MLB Review: Potential offseason discussion on dead ball rule clarity
- Broadcast: ESPN, MLB Network
- Pitching Matchup: Dodgers’ Bobby Miller vs. Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah
