Feb. 28--Manager Joe Maddon and second baseman Ben Zobrist expressed concern after receiving a thorough explanation of new Major League Baseball slide rules.
Specifically, they wondered what happens when a baserunner sliding into second base changes direction depending on the speed of the hit ball or if a throw to second causes a middle infielder to move suddenly to make the catch.
"Some guys will have to change a lot about the way they slide," Zobrist said Saturday, a few hours after MLB officials Joe Garagiola Jr. and Steve Palermo explained the rules to Maddon and his staff. "It has to be a real slide, but the tricky part is the change of direction.
The new rules stipulate "potential double plays will require runners to make a bona fide attempt to reach and remain on the base."
That means runners must slide directly into the bag and not on top of it. Moreover, it they attempt a rolling block they will be called out for obstruction.
"I hope they don't take away the ability of a runner to make an adjustment to take out a middle infielder based on where he's going to be at the end of the play, based on how hard the ball was hit to the left side of the infield," Maddon said.
Maddon and Zobrist have no issue with MLB enforcing the rule that all middle infielders must tag the base, thus eliminating the "neighborhood" play in which middle fielders have a foot in the vicinity but never touch second base before throwing to first in an attempt to complete a double play.
"I feel like I clearly stay on the base 99.9 percent," Zobrist said.
Potential roll block and neighborhood plays now are subject to instant replay.
"The 'hood is gone," Maddon said.
Extra innings: Maddon admits he's trying to adjust his message and methods to contour the makeup of his roster. "I haven't had this many veteran players this accomplished at one time," Maddon said. "I'm trying to understand what I need to do to benefit these guys the most." ... Travis Wood and Kyle Hendricks will pitch in the Cubs' exhibition opener Thursday against the Brewers in Phoenix. ... The Cubs haven't announced their starting pitcher for the April 4 season opener against the Angels, but it is expected to be Jake Arrieta. ... Maddon was thrilled to be in a dinner group Friday that included Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax.
