Apparently MLB wanted to adopt something similar to the NCAA's "must slide" rule for home plate, where the catcher couldn't ever completely block the plate, and the runner would be required to slide if the catcher had the ball.

The MLBPA objected for now, but left open the possibility of agreeing to it for 2015. They didn't think there was enough time in spring training to teach catchers to not ever block the plate even with the ball and to teach runners about the must-slide rule, they thought it would be a lot easier to just basically make runners try to avoid contact and see how that works out for 2014.

They also added something in that basically says that if the runner acts as if the must slide rule was in effect, then he would never be called out for running into a catcher, so it may be good for the players to start acting as if must slide was in effect anyway.

According to Heyman, Santana still wants 4/50, and that asking price will not drop even after the season starts.

Good plan.

Only takes one stupid GM

Just saw an article on scheduling that was interesting. If we don't have a really good April, then we're in trouble. The Royals might have the easiest schedule in the entire AL for the first month and a half. (The bad news is, if we don't have the easiest first 6 weeks, then Detroit's early schedule might be easiest)

I think the rule is good. Catcher can't block the plate without the ball. Batter can't demolish the catcher if he has the ball to try and jar it loose. Safer for everyone. The catcher still must have the ball and apply a tag so it's not like it's an automatic out.

I think the objection is what if the runner makes a mistake and he's gonna be out by a mile? Before, he'd just try to destroy the catcher. Now, the catcher can block the plate and there's no way (barring a crazy Houdini move) to score.

I don't have much sympathy for the runner because if he makes such a bad decision rounding third that the catcher's got the ball with plenty of time to block the plate, then he probably should be tagged out.

We should also note that there's one situation where the old rules still apply. If the catcher set up properly giving the runner part of the plate, but the throw home forces him to step in the runner's path to field the ball and in the umpire's judgment the catcher had to go there to catch the ball, then its game on, the runner can try to wreck the catcher and knock the ball loose, and no one would be penalised for blocking the plate or for running into the catcher.

Saw the top 100 right now & they had 6 Royals on it. Not bad.

Hey Lew. I realize I'm late, but cool pics bro!

Eddie's glad he's not 3rd base coach anymore. He wouldn't have been able to send anyone with that new rule

I didn't read the extended version of the new rule, but I read the abridged version to say that the runner is not forbidden to blow up the catcher unless he deviates from the direct path to home base.

With the new rule, I think that it's still in a catcher's best interest to block the plate straight-on if he's intent on making an out. If he stands off to one side of the line or the other, it becomes much easier for the runner to slide around him on the other side (which he's still allowed to do, I think).

If I'm correct on that, we should still see plenty of physical clashes at home, for better or for worse.

Yeah, after reading this story, it looks like I did not fully understand the rule.

If the catcher has the ball, then he's allowed to block the plate if he wants, but the runner is then allowed to crash into him. The only thing they were eliminating with this rule is the vicious hit where the catcher gave the runner part of the plate, but the runner decided to kill the catcher anyway.

It looks like they are allowing it only because it would be hard to get some catchers to change their instinct in such a short time, but its still in the best interest of each team to teach their catchers the swipe tag unless they don't really give a damn about the health of their catcher.

In other important baseball news, this man exists:

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19gw.../ku-xlarge.jpg