On the second day of spring training games featuring Major League Baseball’s new rules, we’ve already had a controversy.
Saturday’s contest between the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves ended in a tie after the game’s final strike was given automatically – due to Atlanta’s Cal Conley failing to get in the batter’s box in time.
“The umpire said I was looking down. I was looking down at the catcher as he was standing up,” Conley told reporters after the game. “Not really sure if the pitcher was ready to go, catcher definitely wasn’t.”
The game was tied at six with the bases loaded and a full count in the bottom of the ninth, with umpire John Libka making the call.
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“I don’t think this (rule) was intended for a game to end like that. … It’s a good thing that we’re starting (to use the rules in spring) because you never know what might happen,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game. “That instance right there, it kind of shows you what could happen.
“This will be all over SportsCenter and all that kind of stuff, what happened. And I’m sure Major League Baseball will address it.”