The new interpretation of the “transfer rule” in Major League Baseball this season has created much controversy, especially with the introduction of the new Manager’s challenge system for instant replay. When baseball originally added the instant replay system, the old rule (which only required catching the ball to record an out on a force play on the basepaths, or in catching a fly ball, or line drive) was changed to require the player to maintain control through the act of transferring the ball to their throwing hand when making a throw.
However after a number of controversial plays this season, the heads of MLB have re-thought this change. Beginning with today’s games, the new transfer rule is no more, and the much simpler interpretation that a catch is an out, is being re-adopted. Per the MLB Press Release:
“The Committee has determined that a legal catch has occurred pursuant to OBR 2.00 (Definition of Terms, “Catch”), or a valid force out or tag has occurred pursuant to OBR 2.00 (Definition of Terms, “Tag”), if the fielder had complete control over the ball in his glove, but drops the ball after intentionally opening his glove to make the transfer to his throwing hand. There is no requirement that the fielder successfully remove the ball from his glove in order for it be ruled a catch. If the fielder drops the ball while attempting to remove it to make a throw, the Umpires should rule that the ball had been caught, provided that the fielder had secured it in his glove before attempting the transfer. The Umpires will continue to use their judgment as to whether the fielder had complete control over the ball before the transfer.”
The play was in the spotlight in Thursday night’s Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game, when Dustin Pedroia was given an error after dropping the ball on a transfer while trying to turn a double play.
The change is being met with approval from all 30 of the Major League’s Teams and the vast majority of players, analysts and fans. Going back to the traditional interpretation and the way they’ve always made this call just feels right to most, this analyst included. Baseball did the right thing by fixing the problem ASAP and not waiting for the off-season to address what was becoming a clear problem.
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