Mr. Collins Neighborhood

Terry Collins doesn’t like that the new slide rule also allow the neighborhood play to be reviewed:

But in companion with a stricter slide rule, MLB announced that the neighborhood play, which allows the pivot man on the double play to glide around the bag or come off it a hair early to avoid a wipeout slide, now will be reviewable if challenged by the opposing manager.

That essentially ensures the end of the neighborhood play. Not that there was actually anything in the rule book about such a play, but for years it was considered a staple of the game, to the point where MLB made a point of excepting it from review when replay was introduced two seasons ago.

Nevertheless, replay has heightened scrutiny on umpires, especially with plays under review shown on video boards in full view of spectators. As a result they have called plays tighter around the bag, according to MLB people, creating uncertainty and confusion for ballclubs that largely made the neighborhood play a thing of the past.

It seems to me a fair trade-off. Runners are no longer allowed to barrel into a fielder, or fly through the air to get them. That should make it much safer for the fielder to touch the bag.

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/1OzVHRm