![]() Under Rule 6.01(j), runners’ slides are mandated, not only at second base, but on any attempt to break up a double play. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate.” The new rule, Rule 6.01(j) seeks to clarify that. Rule 6.01(a)(5) says it is interference when “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. There already was a rule on the books about runners interfering with double play attempts. In that way, Major League Baseball’s new rule on slides is a success. MORE: Jays' Gibbons looked like a boob with 'dresses' comment | 'World needs to lighten up' The goal, in those cases, is to get as close as possible to a set standard, because it’s best to be consistent in the way the rules are applied. There are judgment calls - the word “judgment” appears 73 times in the major league rulebook - and that is why there are umpires on the field and not robots. Not everything can be cut and dry, of course, because that’s just not how things work. Maybe the only thing like it in sports is the NFL’s fuzzy definition of a catch, and you see where that leads. The counterpoint is the strike zone, which varies from umpire to umpire based on each arbiter’s interpretation of the rules and creates more controversy on a daily basis than anything in baseball. OK, so the last part of Rule 6.04(b) is never enforced, either in batting practice or when baserunners have conversations with first basemen during games, but the point is that rules should be clear and establish a consistent way that the game is played. Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while in uniform. No manager, coach or player shall address any spectator before or during a game. Rule 6.04(b): Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game. Rule 5.09(e): When three offensive players are legally put out, that team takes the field and the opposing team becomes the offensive team. Rule 1.05: The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runs than the opponent. MORE: Best active player at every age, 21-43 Such rules are the foundation of baseball and the reason the game works. No further comment at this time.The best rules are ones that are clear and leave little room for interpretation. "The Dodgers stand behind Chase Utley and his decision to appeal the suspension issued tonight by MLB. On Twitter, the Dodgers responded to Utley's decision to appeal: The Mets quickly released a statement in support of the suspension, calling it "the appropriate course of action." Because Utley was the runner on base - "preceding runner" - and interfered with Tejada's play at second base, MLB rule 5.09(a)(13) calls the batter out as well. If the applicable rule had been applied correctly during Game 2, the Mets would have been awarded a double play, and the inning would have been over, with the Mets up 2–1. Obviously this is an umpire's judgment play. The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. A preceding runner shall, in the umpire's judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play We have been in discussions with the Players Association throughout the year regarding potential rule changes to better protect middle infielders, and we intend to continue those discussions this offseason." Utley had no intention of injuring Ruben Tejada, and was attempting to help his Club in a critical situation, I believe his slide was in violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(13), which is designed to protect fielders from precisely this type of rolling block that occurs away from the base. MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre said that "after thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley was ruled safe on second base upon replay review, which was immediately noted to be a controversial interpretation of MLB rules. The Dodgers won Game 2 5–2 over the Mets, tying the best-of-5 series at 1–1. He will be able to take the field until the appeal is settled. ![]() Utley will appeal, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. MLB has suspended Dodgers infielder Chase Utley for Games 3 and 4 of the National League Division Series against the Mets for a late slide into second base during Game 2 on Saturday night that left Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada with a broken leg.
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