Mets don't understand the base obstruction rule, either
DJ Stewart of the Mets is picked off first base during the second inning against the Brewers at Citi Field on Friday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
In the opening days of a new season with new rules, no, the Mets don’t totally understand them either.
Among the on-field tweaks this year: the base obstruction standard, which technically is an old rule but is newly strictly enforced.
A fielder who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it is not allowed to impede the baserunner’s progress, according to MLB. Several instances of that rule being applied during spring training caused confusion — and annoyance — among Mets personnel, but that is what the preseason is for, sorting out the specifics.
But then the games started counting this weekend and they still didn’t get it.
“You can write that: Francisco doesn’t know what the rule is,” said Francisco Lindor, who as a shortstop should know what the rule is.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said: “I don’t think anybody has a clear understanding. This is one of those where the way they were calling it in spring training, we thought they were going to be aggressive. But then a play like that happens on Opening Day and it doesn’t get called. So we’re still learning.”
The play in question saw DJ Stewart get picked off first base Friday. First baseman Rhys Hoskins’ leg was blatantly between Stewart and the bag, with Stewart’s shoulder colliding with Hoskins’ foot. When umpire Lance Barrett called Stewart out, Lindor was incredulous, leaping out of the dugout to express his shock.
Barrett later told Mendoza that he didn’t consider it obstruction, according to Mendoza. It’s a judgment call and in that instance the judgment went against the Mets’ interests — and understanding. They asked MLB for clarification on the play, the manager added.
Lindor said he can’t entirely blame umpires, who have a lot on their plate, for apparent inconsistency. Mendoza, similarly, said he wishes that sort of play was reviewable.
“Because it’s going to impact games,” Mendoza said. “It’s one of those where everybody is learning the rules and we’re going to have to adjust, whether it’s defensively, whether it’s offensively. The rules are the rules, and we have to embrace it.”
The Mets plan to, as soon as they learn what the rule is.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
