In addition to potential violations of this rule being reviewable, the neighborhood play is also eligible for replay review, a change from previous years.
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Runners will be required to make a “bona fide attempt to reach and remain on the base”, or else both the runner and batter could be called out. The 2015 changes centered around enhanced enforcement of Rule 5.04(b)(4) – the “Batter’s Box Rule” – and the addition of ballpark timers measuring the break time between innings and during pitching changes. To mitigate the risk that it ends up complicated and convoluted like the home-plate-collision rule, MLB, the union and umpires watched videos of about 20 plays at second base with questionable slides and formed a consensus on which were legal and which weren’t. Note, however, that if the runner has already been put out then the runner on whom the defense was attempting to make a play shall be declared out. Starting in 2016 visits to the mound by managers, and coaches will be limited to 30 seconds maximum.
Utley was suspended for two games for his slide into Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada, a play that resulted in Tejada breaking his left leg. Interference will not be called, however, if the contact is caused by the fielder positioning himself or moving into the runner’s legal path to the base.
That’s all fine and good, but it’s hard to see how it complements MLB’s other new rule, which states that neighborhood plays at second base can now be reviewed on replay. While umpires were previously advised to call such moves illegal slides, the rules are now official, and the league hopes they will encourage runners to slide into second with greater consideration.
Commissioner Manfred, and Major League Baseball hit it out of the park by making the changes to the rule, and hopefully increasing player safety in turn. They can not roll into the infielder, and also can not attempt to initiate contact by lifting their legs above the fielder’s knee – the way Chicago Cubs infielder Chris Coghlan injured Kang. No one ever wants to see someone get injured, and certainly no one wants to see a player that their franchise has invested millions in getting his leg broken, over an out or two.
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Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced changes to the slide rule on double plays at second base and the timing of mound visits and commercial breaks.
