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Friday night, another game ended on the new and controversial take-out slide rule at second base. This time Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus was called out for an improper slide, resulting an in an automatic double play, which ended the game. The Brewers won 6-4 (box score).

Here's the video of the slide and the subsequent instant replay review:

New take-out slide rules were implemented over the winter as a result of Chase Utley's brutal NLDS take-out slide last year, which broke Ruben Tejada's leg. The news rules say there are four conditions the runner must satisfy for the slide to be considered legal:

  1. He begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;
  2. He is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
  3. He is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and
  4. He slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

Rasmus did indeed begin his slide before reaching the base, so he satisfied condition No. 1. He did not appear to make an attempt to reach the base though, neither during nor after the slide, so he did not satisfy conditions No. 2 and 3. It also appears he may have deviated from his inital path to initiate contact with the infielder (No. 4).

There is definitely some room for interpretation with the new take-out slide rules, but Rasmus made the call pretty easy for second base umpire Dan Bellino by not even attempting to reach out and touch the base during his slide or after the slide. He slid right by the bag.

Of course Astros players are not happy:

Remember, the players' union agreed to these new rules. MLB can not unilaterally implement new rules. The MLBPA was part of the discussion and agreed to these changes, so if the players don't like it, well, they had their chance to speak out. The league is trying to make the game safer and this helps accomplish that.

Earlier this week Jose Bautista was called out on a take-out slide infraction, resulting in a game-ending double play. Bautista's slide was initially ruled legal before being overturned on replay.

Another game ended on a controversial slide Friday night.
Another game ended on a controversial slide Friday night. (USATSI)