Mets manager Terry Collins is none too pleased with one of the new second base rule changes MLB revealed on Thursday, specifically the redefining of the “neighborhood play.”
MLB will now allow instant-replay reviews to ensure that an infielder actually touches the base on a double play, something that hasn’t been enforced in the past.
“We’re making a slide rule that keeps you on the bag – you’ve got to be near the bag – and now you’ve got to make a decision on the neighborhood play that you’ve got to stay on the bag,” Collins told John Harper of the Daily News.
“You know what that is going to mean? Somebody is going to get their clocks cleaned.”
Harper argues that Collins is overreacting and that the neighborhood play has become “a myth” in recent years, and one MLB official explained:
“It has become a pretty rare occurrence,” Chris Marinak, MLB VP of Economics said Thursday. “It was called differently from umpire to umpire, which leads to inconsistency. Infielders have felt they had to touch the base anyway.”
Original Report
On Thursday, MLB and the MLBPA jointly announced new rule changes for 2016 regarding slides to break up double plays.
- Runner begins his slide before reaching the base.
- Runner is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot.
- Runner is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide.
- Runner slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.
- Runner may not engage “in a roll block or intentionally initiate or attempts to initiate contact with the fielder’s upper body.
Not following the new rules will result in an automatic double play.
If the runner is deemed to have violated any of these conditions, then he and the batter will be called out for interference. Potential violations will be reviewable using instant replay, as will, for the first time, “neighborhood play” calls.
“Our goal in amending the slide rule was to enhance player safety, reduce incidents of injury and to do it in a way that respects and preserves the bona fide hustle plays that are integral to our game,” said MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark. “I am optimistic that this new rule will accomplish those goals.”
Additionally, he pace of game program will expand this season to include timed 30-second visits to the pitcher’s mound by managers and pitching coaches.
