MLB: Russell Martin play should not have been violation of home-plate collision rule
Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco slid into home plate as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin attempted a force out Wednesday night in the third inning. Mesoraco was originally called out on the play but the ruling was overturned on an umpire review because of a violation of Rule 7.13, which was instituted to limit home plate collisions.
[Courtesy: MLB.com]
One day later, executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre released the following the statement regarding the play:
Joe Torre and MLB release statement saying Wednesday's Russell Martin play should not have been a violation of Rule 7.13.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) June 19, 2014
“The goal of Rule 7.13 is to prevent egregious home plate collisions,'' Torre says in statement. #MLB
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) June 19, 2014
Torre adds that #MLB has made "important progress'' in reducing collisions despite the "challenging situations.''
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) June 19, 2014
Martin didn't hide his feelings on the experimental rule after the game:
Russell Martin: "Honestly, I don’t think there’s and adjustment to be made. I think there’s an adjustment to the rule."
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) June 19, 2014
The new rule has been a lightning rod for controversy all season as managers, players and fans continue to seek clarification.