Manfred wants rule on aggressive slides to protect infielders
Major League Baseball
CHICAGO wants to make changes to its rule on aggressive slides to protect middle infielders, Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday, and hopes to reach an agreement with the player and umpire unions in time for the 2016 season.
“The issue of player safety is paramount for us,” Manfred said. “We have some great young athletes, and we don’t want to lose any of them, regardless of position, to injuries that can be avoided, and we are going to constantly look at the game to find ways to prevent avoidable injuries.
“We started talking to the union about this. It is another example of the issue of player safety, which is really high on our radar screen. We’ve got a lot of money invested in ballplayers. The players themselves have tremendous playing opportunities in terms of what they can earn. And I think it’s important that we protect them.”
Manfred began contemplating a rule change this summer, and it was reinforced in September after Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang suffered a broken leg when Chicago Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan aggressively slid into him, breaking up a double play. And, the incident Saturday in Game 2 of the National League Division Series in which Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley was later suspended for two games for his slide that broke New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada’s leg.
The appeal hearing will be Monday in New York, Manfred said, though MLB tried to have the hearing much earlier.
“We actually went in front of John McHale, the hearing officer,” Manfred said. “We argued for a hearing date (Tuesday) or (Wednesday). The union wanted longer time to get ready.”
Manfred hopes the next collective bargaining agreement will have a provision to expedite the appeal process in the postseason.
“We haven’t had a suspension in the postseason for a very long time,” Manfred said. “I think what this current situation has brought to light is that we may have a little difficult scheduling issue that a little shorter frame time would help us.”
Once Utley’s hearing is complete, Manfred said, he hopes they can start negotiating an agreement on the sliding rule. “The sentiment we’re getting from clubs is, a change in this area makes sense and that it’s important to protect what are very valuable assets,” Manfred said.
He realizes it will be difficult, particularly after coming up with the home-plate collision rule that prohibits runners from deliberately running over catchers.
“I hate to admit this, but I think the way we had to work through the home-plate situation gives you a feel for how difficult it is to write that kind of rule, that involves in-game action and an important part of the game. This is one where, obviously, we’re going to be having a lot of conversations with the union about it.”