12/21/24
February 25, 2016
New Rule Takes Out Slides Like Chase Utley's Legbreaker: The Chase Utley slide that broke Ruben Tejada's leg during the NLDS will no longer be legal in Major League Baseball: "Under the new policy for sliding, designated Rule 6.01(j), a slide to break up a double play will have to include a bona fide attempt to reach and remain on base. Contact with the fielder is permissible, but the runner cannot change his path to initiate contact or engage in a “roll block.” The plays are subject to review under video replay, and if it is determined that the runner did not engage in a bona fide slide attempt, then interference will be called and both the runner and the batter-runner can be called out."
Oh well, there goes the neighborhood.
Really, as an umpire, I am truly glad this has been done. Trying to convince some coaches that I did not call the "neighborhood" was difficult. I won't say that I never called it that way, but I tried to avoid it. Now I can just concentrate on the play, let my plate blue watch for the interference, and do the drop step and pivot to call the play at first base.
posted by Howard_T at 10:27 PM on February 25, 2016
I have never understood this when I've watched baseball. I am the New Fan.
It's like having a rule in cricket that says you're out if the ball would have hit the stumps, but your leg got in the way. Oh, hang on a minute, that IS a rule...
posted by owlhouse at 04:17 AM on February 26, 2016
I like the new rule. I especially like that *both* runners are out in this scenario.
And owly, the lbw rule makes sense to me. Otherwise, people would just be sticking their leg out there like they're trying to get a ride by flashing some sexy thigh.
posted by NoMich at 06:50 AM on February 26, 2016
sticking their leg out there like they're trying to get a ride
A well documented example from Babe Ruth's last full year with the Yankees.
posted by beaverboard at 07:48 AM on February 26, 2016
Thank you, bb. That's exactly what I had in mind.
posted by NoMich at 08:22 AM on February 26, 2016
I know NoMich. But the LBW rule does disadvantage left arm and legspin bowlers, and advantages left hand batsmen. Many deliveries can still be kicked away if you know what you're doing.
posted by owlhouse at 10:36 AM on February 26, 2016
Yeah, good point. Damn nuances.
posted by NoMich at 01:18 PM on February 26, 2016
It's all good.
Getting rid of the stupid takeout slide means you can get rid of the nebulous "neighbourhood play", thus making baseball a little easier to understand to new/casual viewers:
Before:
New fan: How is this a double play?
Old fan: The second baseman touches the bag with his foot, and then throws to first base for the second out.
New fan: Oh, okay.
[later that game]
New fan: He didn't touch second base with his foot! He missed it by a couple of feet!
Old fan: Oh, that's okay. They don't have to touch the bag if they don't want to. It's called the "neighbourhood play", meaning he was close enough to it.
New fan: Uh. Really? That's weird.
[later that game]
New fan: Why are they saying he's safe at second and it's not a double play? He was close to the bag when he turned to make the throw.
Old fan: That's because the umpire thought that the baserunner might be close enough to the bag this time, so the fielder HAD to touch the bag.
New fan: Do they just make up the rules?
After:
New fan: How is this a double play?
Old fan: The second baseman touches the bag with his foot, and then throws to first base for the second out. If he doesn't touch it, he's not out at second.
New fan: Oh, okay.