DETROIT — Two games in the first week of games have ended with runner’s interference being called at second base. Neither has involved the Yankees, but Joe Girardi was concerned enough after watching the Astros-Brewers game end with the “Utley Rule’’ that he called Joe Torre to discuss what exactly are the rule’s parameters.
“I got a call in already,’’ Girardi said Saturday before the Yankees’ 8-4 win over the Tigers. “There is going to be a lot of confusion at the beginning.’’
Girardi’s interpretation of the rule led him to believe the Astros’ Colby Rasmus shouldn’t have been ruled out at second base in the ninth inning Friday night. Rasmus slid past the bag, but Brewers shortstop Jonathan Villar had no intention of turning a double play. The play was reviewed, Rasmus was called for interference and the game ended on a double play.
“The way I read the rule, I don’t think he should have been called out,’’ Girardi said. “He did not impede, he did not cause, there was not a chance to turn a double play, so he shouldn’t be called out.”
Girardi said there is too much room for interpretation by the people watching the video and rendering a decision.
“That’s where sometimes this gets extremely dangerous because it is a judgment,’’ Girardi said. “It should be black and white and you know exactly what the call is and there is no confusion.’’
Earlier in the week the “Utley Rule’’ ended the Blue Jays-Rays game when Jose Bautista was called out for interference.
“We are confused by it, but we have told our players to slide into the base — but I am going to say it again, we have told players for years to not dive head-first into first base and what do they do? Their instinct takes over,’’ Girardi said. “I think it’s going to be hard for players. The rule says there has to be intent and there was no intent.’’
The rule was developed to protect middle infielders after Chase Utley broke Ruben Tejada’s leg during last year’s postseason with a late slide at second base. Girardi isn’t sure the infielders are better for it.
“I am not so sure middle infielders aren’t in more danger now then they were before, because now they have to stay on the base,’’ Girardi said of the recent rule change that eliminated the phantom foot tag at second on double plays.
Girardi called Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer, because he believes the language in the interference rule has changed.
“We asked about it this week and they said in the eyes of the umpire it has to impede with him turning a double play. If there is no chance we aren’t going to call it,’’ Girardi said. “Now it changes.’’
