Last night the new “Chase Utley Rule” was enforced for the first time. In the above video you can see Jose Bautista reaches out and grabs Logan Forsythe’s leg causing him to miss the throw to first. The result of this play was Toronto scoring the tying and go ahead runs in the top of the 9th inning, which was then immediately challenged by the Tampa Bay bench. For the first time in MLB history a game ended in a “slide off” when the play was overturned. Even before the new slide rule was enacted, the play last night would have been illegal based on rule 6.01 (a) (5) which states:
“Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate”
Before this revision there would be no way for the umpires to review this play. The addition of the (j) amendment, which gives added protection to the fielder, lays out clear stipulations on what the runner can do to break up a play. In my personal opinion there was no better way for this rule to be enforced for the first time for two specific reasons:
- The play was clearly in violation of the rule put into place.
Like it or not, based on the wording of the rule Bautista should be called out and the ball deemed dead. Bautista made a clear attempt to slide past the base and used his left arm to try and disrupt Forsythe’s throw. While Bautista’s act did not injure Forsythe or create much contact it was enough to affect his throw. If Bautista was able to get his hand a little higher there is a high possibility that Forsythe could have been terribly injured in numerous different ways.
Many people argue that this was a “soft” call since all Jose did was tap his shin. A rule should not only be enforced when someone is gravely injured during a play. Yes, Bautista was playing hard trying to keep the game going, but going for the guy’s leg in an attempt to stop him is going too far and has no place in the game of baseball. Yeah if you slide into the base attempting to be safe and take out the fielder with you that is completely okay, because it’s the fielder’s fault for being in the lane. However, when you need to go past the base making no attempt to be safe you are not playing hard. You are playing dirty. Sorry Joey you are a great baseball player, but that was not a professional move. The play you made was a desperate and cheap attempt to change the outcome of the game and you were punished for it. Better luck next time.
- The call drastically changed the outcome of the game.
This was a perfect way for this rule to be implemented for the first time. It clearly stated that if you are trying to intentionally inhibit a defenseless player from making a play you will be punished for it. The league also showed that they are not afraid of determining the outcome of a game if you are violating this rule. While there is a vocal uproar over this call the league has stood by their guns. If you are implementing a dramatic change such as this, it is important to stick by your convictions. The precedent established by this call will make it clear that teams need to start addressing how you slide and in turn will be preventing grievous injuries in the future.
Yes, breaking up a double play is exhilarating to watch, but in the greater scope of things is completely unnecessary. In no other play on the base paths are you allowed to go out of your way to physically prevent the fielder from making a play on the ball. This should also be same for plays at second base. Many feel this is making the game of baseball “soft ”. In no way preventing injuries that have no reason to occur should be considered soften the game. It is making it safer. By making baseball safer these highly skilled players can go out and continue to display great feats of athleticism and skill that can be just as exhilarating as the breaking up of a double play.