Brandon Brown
The New York Mets lost to the Chicago Cubs in controversial fashion on Wednesday night, with first baseman Pete Alonso being called to end the game 1-0 (score). Alonso was trying to score the game-tying run on a Jeff McNeil fly to left field that Ian Happ caught and handed off to pinch-runner Nick Madrigal.
The decision was reviewed but upheld, with the umpires ruling that Alonso had not touched the plate before being thrown out, as well as that Cubs outfielder Miguel Amaya did not violate the league’s home plate collision rule.
Here’s a look at the piece in question. Pay close attention to Amaya’s setup as he prepares to corral the shot:
For reference, here is Rule 6.01(i)(2) in its entirety:
Unless the receiver has possession of the ball, the receiver cannot block the runner’s path while he is trying to score. If, in the judge’s judgment, the receiver without possession of the ball blocks the runner’s path, the referee must call or signal the runner to safety. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it will not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the runner’s path in a legitimate attempt to throw the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory, or bounce of the inning throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or attracted fielder). In addition to Rule 6.01(i)(2) to 6.01(j), a receiver not in possession of the ball will not be considered in violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the runner could have avoided colliding with the receiver (or another player covering home plate) sliding.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, in his first year at the helm, disagreed with that assessment. “I think they got the wrong call” he said after the game. Mendoza explained that his understanding of the rule, as informed by a spring memo sent to all managers, prohibits catchers from straddling the plate without possession of the ball.
SNY’s Andy Martino tweeted an image of the memo alongside photos of Amaya’s left foot clearly on base before he caught the ball. The aforementioned memo notes that “the following setups are illegal without possession of the ball and place the catcher at risk of a violation” with photos of catchers who have their feet “on the foul line or home plate,” “hugging the foul line, ” and “in foul territory or encompassing the base.”
However, the MLB Replay Center issued a statement regarding the conference call that said: “the Replay Official determined that no violation of the Home Plate Collision Rule occurred. The receiver’s initial setup was legal and it entered the track in reaction to the trajectory of the throw.”
Mets reporter Steve Gelbs reported Thursday on SNY that the league office confirmed was the correct interpretation of the rule, but that the guidelines changed in the offseason.
“They changed the rule,” Gelbs reported before the day game. “They said they still don’t want the catcher to have his foot on the base. However, if they give the runner space to score, it is up to the referee to call him or not. . And because there was a path last night, the refs in the replay room said it was a legal play.
Alonso, in turn, told reporters he thought he had stuck his hand in there before the tag was applied. “But the call said I was out, so I was out.”
