The Atlanta Braves The Slide Rule And Reality

The New Rule

Honestly folks there is nothing at all confusing in the new rule, it is straight from the book

Rule 6.01(j) Sliding to Bases on Double Play Attempts

If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, he should be called for interference under this

A “bona fide slide” for purposes of Rule 6.01 occurs when the runner:

• (1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;
• (2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
• (3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and
• (4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

A runner who engages in a “bona fide slide” shall not be called for interference under this Rule 6.01, even in cases where the runner makes contact with the fielder as a consequence of a permissible slide. In addition, interference shall not be called where a runner’s contact with the fielder was caused by the fielder being positioned in (or moving into) the runner’s legal pathway to the base.

Notwithstanding the above, a slide shall not be a “bona fide slide” if a runner engages in a “roll block,” or intentionally initiates (or attempts to initiate) contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee or throwing his arm or his upper body.

If the umpire determines that the runner violated this Rule 6.01(j), the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter-runner out. 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.

The Official Rules of Baseball pages 60,61,62, 65, 70,71

Aside from not being what we are used to seeing after decades of ignoring the rule by umpires and MLB, the only thing new is the definition of a slide being added. The rule says a runner must slide into the base with the intent of reaching the base and not with the intent of deliberately breaking up the double play and we have seen has always been a no-no even if it was ignored.

What’s The Problem?

The problem pure and simple is that in general most players and many modern managers do not know the rules. To wit, future Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland sat  on the committee that created the new rule above. On XM radio yesterday he said that all was need was to give the umpire the authority to decide whether the slide was an intentional attempt to break up a double play.

Sorry Jim but I know that a manager knew you could ask umpires to reconsider calls and you knew which ones were based on their view and not a hard and fast rule. I’ll assume you forgot that they have always had that authority; they simply failed to use it unless pressed.

John Gibbons bemoaned the call on Bautista in Tuesday’s game but Bautista grabbed the defender’s ankle as he slid toward the base. If he wasn’t trying to interfere with the play what was he doing?

Fredi Gonzalez added his point of view to the conversation when speaking to Michael Cunningham of the AJC.

"“I get it: people are protecting second basemen and shortstops,” Gonzalez said. “On paper it looks good, this is going to help. But on a practical matter, it doesn’t translate.”"

This isn’t Mandarin Chinese Fredi, of course it translates you simply have to be willing to accept change. I know the RC (resistance to change) factor is dominant in baseball and that they are finally enforcing rules that have existed for decades but this isn’t that hard in fact it’s fairly simple; slide towards the base with the intent of reaching and holding the base nothing more.  Determining intent isn’t hard either.

Why Slide?

Slides came about to prevent overrunning bases you are not allowed to overrun and to avoid a tag. That being the case a slide should be carried out with the feet pointed at the bag if sliding feet first. Sliding feet first with the feet pointed at the defender is clear intent to contact the defender. It doesn’t help the sliding runner reach base safely or prevent him from overrunning the base. In fact it means he reaches base later because his body is past the base when his arms reach it. It’s easy to see what a slide is intended to do by where the runners feet are pointing. At the base – good slide; anywhere else – not a good slide.

The problem we have is that teams either didn’t see this coming , thought it wouldn’t be enforced or decided to ignore it. In spring training representatives visited every club and explained the changes to them; every club, every player. I understand a transition period as players attempt to break old habits but I believe saying you don’t know how to comply is simply a cop out; and I’m not alone.

was asked about about the rule and told it like it is to Casey Stern in an interview on XM radio’s inside pitch. The audio of the Interview in available on Sirius/XM on demand – subscription required  – with his comments on the rule coming at the end.

Next: The change is mostly perception and enforcement