Umpire Gets Up Close and Personal to Make Sure Yankees Third Baseman Held Onto Catch

An umpire checks on Oswald Peraza after he made a tough catch. | @Yankees

New York Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza made a very tough catch in foul territory against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. And then he tripped and went headfirst over the tarp.

Rangers shortstop Josh Smith hit a towering fly ball that refused to get out of play, which allowed Peraza to settle under it right before he caught it and fell down. As an upside down Peraza's legs waved in the air, third base umpire Brock Ballou ran over to check to see—not if Peraza was O.K.—but to make sure he had held onto the ball.

Having determined he got both feet in and maintained control through the ground, he confirmed the out call and walked away.

Peraza with a spectacular play 👏 pic.twitter.com/xv5BrNyM9h

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 21, 2025

Peraza, who turns 25 next month, has started 13 games at third base this season for the Yankees after only appearing in four games last year. The true key to more playing time this season is clearly doing things like this on a regular basis.

Oswald Peraza’s feet. | @Yankees

Who doesn't want to see more of that?