What Is a Dead Ball in Baseball? World Series Controversy Explained

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 6 victory in the 2025 World Series sparked one of the most debated umpiring moments of the postseason — a “dead ball” call that reversed what appeared to be a Toronto Blue Jays inside-the-park home run. The play reignited fan curiosity about one question: what exactly is a dead ball in baseball?

The bizarre sequence unfolded on October 31, 2025, at Rogers Centre, when Toronto’s Addison Barger hit a line drive to left-center off Dodgers reliever Roki Sasaki. The ball struck the base of the wall and stopped beneath the padding. Dodgers outfielder Justin Dean raised his hand to signal the ball was unplayable, prompting umpires to rule it a ground-rule double — and therefore a dead ball. The decision erased two Blue Jays runs, helping Los Angeles stay alive and force a Game 7.

Understanding the Dead Ball Rule in Baseball

According to Major League Baseball’s official rules, a dead ball is any live ball that becomes unplayable, resulting in play being stopped immediately. This can occur in several situations, including when a fair ball gets lodged in the outfield wall, padding, or ivy — as famously seen at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

When such a play happens, the batter is automatically awarded second base, and any runners advance only two bases from where they started. Once the ball is declared dead, runners cannot continue advancing, regardless of whether the fielders could have retrieved the ball or not. This strict interpretation of the rule ensures fairness and safety, though it can sometimes lead to controversial outcomes, like the one that unfolded in Toronto.

In Friday night’s game, replay angles showed the ball was visible and may have been retrievable. However, because Dean signaled that it was stuck and the umpiring crew agreed, the play was called dead. ESPN and other outlets later confirmed that the rule was correctly applied based on the official definition of a ground-rule double.

How the Decision Changed the Game

Before the dead ball call, the Blue Jays appeared to have scored two runs, taking what could have been a commanding ninth-inning lead. But after the reversal, both runners were ordered back — Myles Straw to third base and Barger to second. The momentum shift was immediate.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then replaced Sasaki with Tyler Glasnow, who delivered a perfect three-pitch save to end the game. Toronto’s last two batters, Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez, both recorded quick outs, with Barger eventually doubled off second base to close the night.

The Dodgers’ survival means Game 7 will decide the 2025 World Series on Saturday night in Toronto. Still, the “dead ball” moment remains a defining controversy that baseball fans will be debating for years.

Fan and Expert Reactions

Many fans expressed frustration online, claiming the play shouldn’t have been ruled dead since the ball wasn’t truly stuck. Others defended the umpires for correctly enforcing the rule as written. Former MLB umpire Dale Scott told reporters that such rulings “are clear-cut by the book, even if they look strange in real time.”

For Toronto, the call was crushing. For Los Angeles, it was a lifeline — one that may have changed the trajectory of the entire World Series. Regardless of which side fans fall on, the incident has reignited discussions about whether MLB should revise or clarify its dead ball procedures in the future.

In short, a dead ball in baseball is any situation where play stops immediately — and as Game 6 showed, it can turn a championship game upside down in an instant.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What does “dead ball” mean in baseball?

A dead ball is any ball declared unplayable by umpires, stopping all action immediately. Runners can only advance within specific limits, such as on a ground-rule double.

Q2: Why was the Blue Jays’ hit ruled a dead ball?

The ball became lodged under the wall padding, prompting the umpire to call it a ground-rule double, which by rule makes the ball dead.

Q3: Can players challenge a dead ball ruling?

Teams can request a review to determine if the ball was truly lodged, but if confirmed, the ruling is final and not subject to appeal.

Q4: What happens when a dead ball is called?

Play stops immediately. The batter and any runners are awarded specific bases depending on the situation, typically two bases from where they started.

Q5: Has this happened before in MLB history?

Yes. Similar plays have occurred at Fenway Park and Wrigley Field when balls got stuck in outfield walls or ivy, resulting in dead ball calls.