A day after second baseman Joe Panik was the focus of Major League Baseball’s redefined interpretation of the so-called neighborhood play, shortstop Brandon Crawford said the change puts middle infielders at risk of injury.
“I think the rule was supposed to be put in place to prevent injuries, protect infielders a little bit,” Crawford said. “I think the way it is now, I don’t think it will help do that.”
When MLB and the union added Rule 6.01(j) in late February that banned the takeout slide, they also terminated the neighborhood play and made it reviewable.