NCAA rule on sliding Force-Play-Slide Rule SECTION 4. The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of all players. This is a safety and an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs. a. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases. It is permissible for the slider’s momentum to carry him through the base in the baseline extended (see diagram). Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. Interference shall not be called. 1) “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground before the base. 2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases. PENALTY for 1-5—(1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
Eh, who cares? Dude slid well outside the bag with his cleats out and up in the air right into the SS's knee. Obviously interference and if they should change the rule at all it should be to make that an ejectable offense.
Okay, I'm at the point where I can't even watch. You would think the 50 million 1-run games we've had all season that I'd be prepared for this one. lol