Not unlike the time this happened with Anthony Rizzo and Austin Hedges and a collision at the plate, despite a ruling on the field – and a replay review – that indicated there was no rule violation in Rizzo’s controversial slide last night, a further look by the league came up with a different conclusion.
Breaking: Source indicates the league believes interference should have been called yesterday re Anthony Rizzo's 8th inning slide at home plate. Both teams have been informed of that decision which differs from the call on the field and the umpires… https://t.co/pgxbngZ8aU
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) May 29, 2018
My read on the rules and the play was that it was close, but Rizzo probably didn’t violate the strict language of the rules. But, admittedly, even that’s based on a delicate interpretation of when Rizzo deviated his path, when he was sliding, etc. Moreover, like I said in that post, this slide was the type of slide MLB is trying to legislate out with its (imperfectly-written) rules, so I can understand why they would be inclined to conclude differently.
There really isn’t going to be much in the way of a “consequence” here, because the game result won’t be changed, and runs won’t be taken off the board. It’s just gonna be a “hey, here’s how things should have played out, so everyone learn from it” situation.
And Joe Maddon, who vigorously defended Rizzo’s slide as both within the rules and an affirmatively good thing for the sport (breaking up the double play and all that), is going to be really pissed off.
The thing is: MLB doesn’t want runners colliding with defenders in almost any situation. Like it, lump it, that’s the way it is. So when a runner *can* avoid a defender within reason, the league is going to expect them to do so. “Breaking up the double play” simply isn’t what it used to be.