CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Count Tribe manager Terry Francona among those in support of the league's new "neighborhood play" mandate.
On Thursday, Major League Baseball revealed three new rules that will be enforced beginning this season. Two of the principles relate to the league's pace of play initiative. The other stems from a longstanding debate about the proper way to govern convergences between runners and fielders on potential double plays.
Runners now must slide directly into the base, rather than reach for the bag with their hand while sliding into a fielder. The fielder, however, can no longer play pretend at second base.