DOUPLE PLAY
SLIDE ATTEMPTS
Embedded Files
RULE 6.01(J) Sliding to Bases on Double Play Attempts
If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, he should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01.
A “bona fide slide” for purposes of Rule 6.01 occurs when the runner:
(1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;
(2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
(3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and
(4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.
A runner who engages in a “bona fide slide” shall not be called for interference under this Rule 6.01, even in cases where the runner makes contact with the fielder as a consequence of a permissible slide. In addition, interference shall not be called where a runner’s contact with the fielder was caused by the fielder being positioned in (or moving into) the runner’s legal pathway to the base.
Notwithstanding the above, a slide shall not be a “bona fide slide” if a runner engages in a “roll block,” or intentionally initiates (or attempts to initiate) contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee or throwing his arm or his upper body.
If the umpire determines that the runner violated this Rule 6.01(j), the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter-runner out. Note, however, that if the runner has already been put out then the runner on whom the defense was attempting to make a play shall be declared out.
RULE 5.09(a)(13) – A batter is out when… a preceding runner shall, in the umpire’s judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play.
Rule 5.09(a)(13) Comment: The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, un-sportsmanlike action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this is an umpire’s judgment play. (See Rule 6.01(j).)
Generally speaking, when R1 is sliding into second base when a double play at first is possible, his actions should give no indication that there is going to be a play at first base, as well. That's not the actual rule, but it gives you a starting point on what to look for. Note that the rule says contact does not have to be made; simply an attempt to make contact is in violation of the rule.
SITUATION: Double-play possibility. Runner sliding into second is not performing a bona fide slide. The batter-runner is declared out, as well.
COMMENTS: You wish every call was this easy.
SITUATION: Runners at first and second. No outs. A sharp bouncer to the third baseman, and a potential triple play is started. At second base on the turn, the runner sliding into the base grabs the second-baseman’s leg. This is deemed intentional by the second-base umpire, who declares the batter-runner out, as well.
COMMENTS: You wish every call was this easy.
SITUATION: Runner going to second base does a cross-body into the pivot man on the double play.
COMMENTS: This used to be legal, for whatever reason. In lower leagues of baseball, "force-play slide" rules have been around for decades to ensure the safety of players. MLB finally came around and added the "bona fide slide" rule to OBR in the 2016 season, two years after they had also cleaned up brutal COLLISIONS AT HOME PLATE.
TIPS FOR UMPIRES
Youth baseball uses "force-play slide" rules, which is essentially the same premise as this OBR rule. Confirm this with managers at pre-game plate conferences.
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