Here we go again…
During the Cubs game against the San Diego Padres, Anthony Rizzo attempted to score from third on a short fly to centerfield. Former Cubs outfielder Matt Sczcur fielded and threw home. Rizzo tagged, came in, and blew up the catcher.
Just six years ago this was perfectly fine. Dangerous, but fine.
Enter the Buster Posey rule. In 2011 Buster was lost for the season due to a collision at the plate. Because of this injury, Major League Baseball amended Rule 7.08(b), and with the advent of replay, they formed Rule 7.13. This rule was put into place specifically to protect players from egregious collisions at home plate.
- A runner may not run out of a direct line to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher, or any player, covering the plate. If he does, the umpire can call him out even if the player taking the throw loses possession of the ball.
- The catcher may not block the pathway of a runner attempting to score unless he has possession of the ball. If the catcher blocks the runner before he has the ball, the umpire may call the runner safe.
- All calls will be based on the umpire’s judgment. The umpire will consider such factors as whether the runner made an effort to touch the plate and whether he lowered his shoulder or used his hands, elbows or arms when approaching the catcher.
- Runners are not required to slide, and catchers in possession of the ball are allowed to block the plate. However, runners who do slide and catchers who provide the runner with a lane will never be found in violation of the rule.
- The expanded instant replay rules, which also went into effect in 2014, are available to review potential violations of Rule 7.13.
That is the rule, so here is the play with commentary from the Padres manager Andy Green and Joe Maddon.
This will be hard for Cubs fans, but I just ask for a moment to switch your Cubs goggles for baseball goggles for a moment. Rizzo had a seemingly open path to the backside of the plate. The Padres catcher, Austin Hedges fielded the ball in front of the plate.
Hedges then turns towards the third baseline, as he would need to in order to make a play on Rizzo.
Now, Hedges is NOT blocking the base path, and Rizzo is NOT in the base path. 
It is for this reason specifically that Rizzo was in the wrong.
But that is OK to say Cubs fans. We are not calling him a bad guy. We are not labeling him as dirty. We cannot prescribe intent. He was very possibly thinking he was just playing hard-nosed baseball.
It was clearly a bad slide here, just as earlier in the season Dexter Fowler had against the Cubs.
Yes, remember that? When a lot of fans crucified Dexter, calling him dirty, mentioning how quickly he became a “Dirty-Bird.”
There is a huge difference between overstepping a rule and being dirty. Just like I’m certain many of you speed every day. You aren’t a criminal, and hardly a soul would think down on you for it, but you did break a law. Similar with Rizzo on this play. It doesn’t define him or should give cause for concern. He overstepped, and very well could be suspended a game for it (however baseball has not suspended a single player for breaking this rule).
Remember also, Anthony is a guy that almost had the game taken away from himself because of cancer. While I again cannot assume any intent one way or another, I would assume he of all people wouldn’t do something to jeopardize another players career.
