MLB adjusts blocking the plate rules, no longer enforced on force plays
MLB has adjusted Rule 7.13 regarding home plate collisions. The rule will no longer be enforced on force plays.
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
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In the wake of last week's incident involving the Pirates and Reds, when Russell Martin was ruled to be blocking the plate on the force play (video above), MLB has changed the home plate collision rules to allow for more leeway on forces.
Development on Rule 7.13. Effective immediately, umpires instructed not to apply it on force plays at home plate.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 24, 2014
It took a little while, but common sense wins again. There's almost no way you can argue a catcher is not blocking the plate on a force play, so the rule had to be changed. Good job by MLB for acting quickly and decisively.
The rest of Rule 7.13 remains unchanged. Catchers still can not block the plate without possession of the ball and runners can not go out of their way to run over the catcher.
