Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard scored a run over the weekend without touching home plate – a first in the more than 150 years of Major League Baseball. Howard was called safe even after being tagged out by the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Miguel Montero because the catcher illegally blocked home plate in violation of a new rule adopted prior to this season. The rule and instant replay review, also introduced prior to the 2014 season, confirmed Howard was not provided a clear path to the plate. Umpires ruled him safe and awarded the run. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Blocked: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is clearly blocked by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero
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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero
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Howard and teammates immediately argued Montero blocked the plate prior to catching the ball after it was thrown home by an Arizona outfielder
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Blocking the plate before possessing the ball is in violation of a new rule introduced prior to the season
Up in arms: @placeholder and a teammate immediately complain as the umpire waves a fist ruling Howard out