Fangraphs proposed change to slide rule

[udbrky]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/its-time-to-change-the-slide-rule/

 

I disagree with this and a blogger I was discussing this with on Twitter - seems like it would completely convolude the rule. The blogger suggested a safe zone above the bag, so as to make plays like Javy Baez, where he momentarily came off the bag with his stomach, safe.

I agreed that going to replay over this and overturning it is dumb, but my counter was that replay reviews shouldn't be this nitpicky. If you can't quickly and easily overturn it, call stands. And there's no way he's getting called out, because you had to lay down to see he was off the bag, all while seeing on a different angle that the tag was applied at the same time.

[Richvee]

At least he agrees it's a poor use of replay, unlike a lot of these "Never played the game but I know best" columnists. like Passan. At least he's thinking, and trying to come up with a way to solve this problem. I think the "safe zone"creates just as many unforeseen problems though. How about not changing the rule but limiting the use of replay on these calls......something like .."momentary loss of contact with the bag, after the runner has safely touched the bag, and his body remains over the bag, is not a reviewable play. Safely touching the bag and losing contact by oversliding, or otherwise losing contact with the bag while not directly over the bag and being tagged is still subject to review."