The Philadelphia Phillies received a favorable catcher’s interference call for the third time in less than a month, with J.T. Realmuto being awarded first base after a video review overturned a strikeout call during their game against the Seattle Mariners. This incident highlights a growing trend in MLB of such interference calls, though it had no immediate impact on the game’s outcome.
The event occurred in the first inning of the game on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. J.T. Realmuto was at bat with two outs when he swung at a pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller and was initially called out on strikes, which would have ended the inning.
Realmuto immediately argued that his swing was interfered with by Seattle catcher Mitch Garver, who was starting behind the plate in place of regular catcher Cal Raleigh, who was serving as the designated hitter. The Phillies challenged the call, and after a review, the umpires determined that Garver’s glove had made contact with Realmuto’s bat during the swing, constituting interference.
As a result, Realmuto was awarded first base, nullifying the strikeout and allowing the inning to continue. However, on the very next pitch, Alec Bohm grounded into a fielder’s choice, resulting in an out at second base and ending the inning without any runs scored. At that point, the Mariners were trailing 1-0 due to a solo home run by Kyle Schwarber earlier in the inning.
This is the third instance in recent weeks where the Phillies have benefited from a catcher’s interference call. Previous occurrences happened during a series against the Boston Red Sox in July, where catcher Carlos Narvaez was called for interference in consecutive games, leading to runs scored, including a walk-off victory in extra innings—the first such walk-off since 1971.
The increase in catcher’s interference calls is part of a broader trend in Major League Baseball. In 2024, MLB set a record with 100 such calls, breaking the previous record of 96 set in 2023. This rise may be attributed to changes in catching techniques, batter approaches, or increased vigilance by umpires and replay reviews.
In terms of immediate impact, this call did not affect the game’s result, as no runs were scored as a direct consequence. The Phillies went on to win the game, but the incident adds to a pattern that has occasionally swung momentum in their favor. It also raises questions about consistency and enforcement of rules regarding catcher-batter interference.
Looking forward, teams might need to focus on training catchers to avoid such infractions, potentially adjusting positioning or glove work. MLB could consider rule clarifications or educational initiatives to reduce these occurrences. For the Phillies, while this call was favorable, it underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of video review in modern officiating.