Replay in the 'neighborhood'
Brian Dozier admits it: He's a rule breaker, a scofflaw. And he's not happy that baseball is siccing the law on him.
Among the new rules being implemented in the major leagues this season, the one that caught Dozier's attention was the decision to allow managers to ask for a video replay of the "neighborhood play" at second base, when fielders take certain liberties, in the name of avoiding collisions, while turning double plays. But not anymore. Foot on the bag while in possession of the ball — no exceptions.
"A lot of time, I straddle the bag, meaning I don't ever touch it," Dozier confessed of his pivot-play habit. "Throughout the course of the year, you have umpires who [say], 'Hey, at least make an attempt,' or 'You weren't anywhere close, let's clean it up.' "
That latitude is gone now, with video available to overturn close-enough out calls. But in Dozier's opinion, the spirit of the law was being followed; there was no need to invoke the letter of the law.
"I guess I can say I don't really like it," he said. "I love replay, it's good for the game. But the neighborhood play, there's always a fine line. You don't want to take away from the game itself."
Like a lot of observers, Dozier worries that minute details are being used to overturn otherwise well-executed plays, such as baserunners who beat the throw but whose momentum causes them to lose touch with the base for an almost imperceptible instant. There will be unintended consequences, Dozier fears.
"I'm sure fans will like it, but I think you'll see a lot more replays this year on stuff that feels like everything went smoothly," he said. "But all of a sudden, you're an inch off the bag. … I can see [overturning calls] if the ball goes right or left or is too high and you're pulled off the bag. But there are going to be a lot of little bitty replays now, especially late in the game, where it seems like a regular double play, but [it's overturned] by a fine line."
The solution? "We have to do a better job, I guess, of staying on the bag."
Etc.
• Phil Hughes will start Wednesday's Grapefruit League opener against the Red Sox, Twins manager Paul Molitor said Sunday, with Trevor May also seeing action. The other six candidates for the rotation will follow in this order: Tyler Duffey and Ricky Nolasco on Thursday, the Twins' home opener against Boston; Tommy Milone on Friday at the Pirates; Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios on Saturday against Baltimore; and Kyle Gibson on Sunday at the Rays. If that order remains the same throughout all of March, Santana would open the 2016 season April 4 in Baltimore.
Let's meet
Heiker Meneses
Infielder
Age: 24
2015 stats: .259, 15 stolen bases, 34 RBI in 100 games at four different positions at Class AA Chattanooga.
Likely role: Utility infielder at Class AAA Rochester.
Did you know? In eight minor league seasons, Meneses has played 309 games at shortstop, 234 at second base and 139 at third base.
Phil MIller
