Someone needs to explain to me why Lux was not declared safe at home in Wednesday’s game.
MLB Rule 7.13
Rule 7.13 was introduced by MLB on February 24, 2014. It was first introduced as an experimental rule for both MLB and MiLB that would be implemented for the 2014 season. Below is a list of the main key points of the rule:
- A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate).
- Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score.
- The failure by the runner to try to touch the plate, the runner’s lowering of the shoulder, or the runner’s pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of Rule 7.13.
- Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 7.13 if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw, and the Umpire determines that the catcher could not have fielded the ball without blocking the pathway of the runner and that contact with the runner was unavoidable.
Tyler Heineman was blocking the plate well before the ball got there, and Gavin Lux did not have a path to the plate. Heineman did not move so it wasn’t that the ball took him into the runner’s path. Heineman could absolutely have received the ball without blocking the plate. Even the Pittsburgh announcers said that Heineman was blocking the plate, not as a criticism, but rather as a compliment.
Next time, the Dodger runner needs to level the catcher and tell the umpire that the catcher was blocking the plate and contact was unavoidable. Heineman did not move to the ball, he set up blocking the plate and did not move. I have no objection to what Tyler Heineman did, but If the umpires are not going to enforce the rule, then take it out.
Lately, Dodger runners are getting blocked off the base and not able to get to it on a play. Christian Walker did it on pickoff throws. Geraldo Perdomo did it when blocking 2B on a pickoff and not allowing Trea Turner to get to the base. Same with steal of 2nd attempts by both Arizona and Pittsburgh. The difference is that Pittsburgh middle infielders cannot catch. Ketel Marte and Perdomo did very well blocking 2B and making the catch.
Ke’Bryan Hayes did it twice in the series, once on Lux and once last night on Chris Taylor. CT3 had no path to 3B. He had to reach around and try to go behind so he would avoid contact. But according to the Baseball Rules Academy, it was not obstruction by Hayes (I agree), but if Taylor had taken Hayes out, he should not have been called out either. See: https://baseballrulesacademy.com/can-a-fielder-block-a-base/
Look where Hayes’ foot was. Again I do not believe there was obstruction, but the Dodger runners need to push the envelope themselves. I guess I am tired of bases being blocked against the Dodgers, but the Dodgers not retaliating by running over the fielder or blocking the base themselves.
Just a little venting about some of poor fundamentals being played right now.
I don’t remember if Roberts objected much on any of those plays.
He couldn’t on Lux because he lost his earlier appeal on Turner. But his appeal on Turner was whether Hayes tagged him, and not blocking the base. Also, the plays were probably not reviewable because they were umpire’s judgement. In the umpire’s judgement, there was no obstruction. Lux should have run over Heineman. Heineman was blocking the plate and contact could not be avoided. CT3 is a much tougher call. This is where feet first and spikes up slides work a little better than head first and reaching.
I have the same issue with that rule. Either he can block the plate or he can’t. Apparently how that rule is enforced is if the catcher has the ball he can block the plate. Period.
As for infielders, I am adamantly opposed to them being able to block access to the bag. As a former ump, I would not allow it. I took some heat about it on occasion but most accepted my position on it. This has become more of an issue with head first slides. Infielders have no problem putting a leg down in front of a hand sliding in. I would advise my base runners to use an aggressive stand up slide. Go in cleats first and they won’t block that bag. That said, it’s up to umpires to determine obstruction. If they don’t see it as a violation of a rule, they won’t call it. Obstruct away. Nobody is going to stop you.
I read it the same way as you, Badger. If the catcher has the ball before the runner arrives, he can block the plate. Apparently, the umpire ruled that he did.
If they’re going to let the fielder block second base with a leg, then they have to let the runner go in and knock him down. What’s good for the goose……………………..
I like the concept that a leg touching the bag becomes part of the bag and all a runner has to do is to make contact with the leg and stays safe after the leg is moved regardless if slider then becomes short of the bag.
I don’t like sliding with spikes high but if a bag is blocked, then spikes no higher than 12 inches is good with me.
I probably need to see that play again but it seemed that Lux was sufficiently late and therefore should not have been allowed to run into the catcher. The throw beat him.
It’s not spikes high. It’s a stand up slide. From a full speed run you and slide directly into the bag. If a leg is there it’s going to get spiked.
I think your leg is part of the bag idea is a good one. Wish I would have thought of it.
If the catcher has the ball and is blocking the plate, why can’t the runner bowl him over? I thought the intent of the rule was to give access to the runner? Also, I never bought the “the throw takes the catcher into the baseline”. Many throws to the plate would cross the baseline without the catcher there. That interpretation allows a catcher to block the plate without the ball.
allows a catcher to block the plate without the ball.
Which is exactly what happened.
Going back a couple of Posts—
I love your reply Jeff. It explains a lot. There may be a few Piazzas but they are lucky to get after the first 25 picks are taken each year. It appears pitchers are more prone to being developed than hitters.
Talking draft reminded me of a time I sat next to Logan White for three hours on a flight out of Vero Beach a while ago. He seemed to enjoy talking Dodgers so I didn’t feel guilty talking Dodgers with him for those 3 hours. Well, maybe a little bit.
He said he loved pedigree, loved players that played multiple sports, and came from a strong family. He liked talking with a potential draftee’s parents.
I told him I liked Loney who was a prospect at the time and he said he liked the Cubs’ Lee as the model first baseman. I mentioned a couple of pictures on my radar and he shared a couple of pitchers he thought were headed up. Neither of mine or his did well.
Such is the life of a baseball scout. Sometimes you hit gold, sometimes you get lucky, but MOST of the time you miss big.
This year’s draft is going to be a real crapshoot. The Dodgers lose 10 spots in the 1st round and will select #40. They lose their 2nd round pick (Signing Freddie Freeman – I am okay with that). And then they pick #29 in each round thereafter. What are the odds that the Dodgers will draft an elite position player or even a future All Star?
Dodgers outfielder Kevin Pillar has fractured his left shoulder, according to a club announcement. He’s been placed on the 10-day injured list, with utilityman Zach McKinstry recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his active roster spot.
This is both good and bad for Pillar. He is on the IL (the bad), but he is getting paid his MLB contract while on the IL, and it gets him closer to that 10 years of service time for full pension (the good).
I am guessing that McKinstry will stick this time, as he would probably have been called when one of the pitchers needed to be taken off the 26-man (June 19).
Well, I liked this team better with Pollock in left and CT3 as the utility guy. I hope McKinstry takes that role and owns it. I admit I have my doubts.
Pollock does not make that play in LF on Marte’s line drive. And with CT3 as a utility player, Lux does not get as many ABs. I do think McKinstry will earn his spot. He will not be a star, but he can play allover the field, just not as well as CT3. McKinstry will go back down once Muncy is back, but should be back up on June 19. What pitcher goes down on June 19?????
I like Lux. He’s a 6’2” 190 pound singles hitter that one day just might fulfill his potential. Hopefully that day will be later on this year. I’m just saying I think Pollock was a steady, solid left fielder and Taylor excelled at being the utility player. You have more faith in McKinstry than I do. Hope you’re right.
I have no real idea how the Dodgers pitching carousel will work going forward. Bruihl and White will probably be on the yo-yo.
1. I liked Pollock. I still do. Before Freddie, Pollock was by far the best FA signing by the Dodgers (other than their own) by a wide margin. He just is not the same defensively in LF as is CT3. Would I have preferred KJ and AJ instead of Kimbrel? YES!!! It did not happen. We move on.
2. Yes, Lux is a singles hitter right now. I think he grows into more doubles and triples and may reach low double digit HRs. At some point you have to have some of your own organizational players assume a starting role.
3. CT3 was/is invaluable as a utility player. Zach McKinstry is nowhere close to that level, but he is a decent utility player. He is a contact hitter who can also draw a walk (.338/.424/.464/.887). .424 OBP at AAA is not a throw away metric. He has ZERO power, but he did hit 7 HRs in 172 PA at ML last year (while hurt). This year at AAA, in 177 PA, he has 29 Ks to 22 BBs (16.4% to 12.9%). He has good but not elite speed, with good not elite defensive skills. He is a utility player who can play any of the infield or outfield positions, but generally 2B, SS, 3B, LF, RF. He is not an ALL-STAR, but the Dodgers have a few of those and do not need him to be. That would especially be true if Belli and Max ever start to hit.
Good discussion.
“He just is not the same defensively in LF as is CT3.”
I’m not so sure about that. Neither are good according to dWAR, if you believe in that stat. McKinstry is our Swiss Army Knife player now. We all wish him well. Go get ‘em kid.
The Dodgers have recalled Caleb Ferguson from OKC and have optioned Michael Grove to OKC to make room. Ferguson was pitching very well in OKC since he was optioned. He has pitched in 4 games. Allowed a walk and HBP. No hits or runs. He pitched in B2B games May 27 and May 28.