Nationals manager Martinez demands baseline rule change

The Washington Nationals head-coach Dave Martinez required the MLB to make a change to its basepath rule after his team fell victim in the clash against Houston Astros, finished with a 5-4 victory for the Houston team.

Martinez used a photo to illustrate what exactly the problem was.

Dave Martinez was HEATED after a controversial obstruction call at first base happened at the end of the game

(via @DCBarno)pic.twitter.com/0ZWEwJAEXQ

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 15, 2023

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“There it is right there,” Martinez said. “Take a look at it. Is that on the line? I don’t think so. I’m over this play. Seriously. They need to fix the rule. If this is what the umpire sees that he’s running down the line, I’m tired of it. I’m tired of it. Fix it. We lost the game, and he had nothing to say about it because he can’t make the right call. Brutal.”

MLB rules state that “when running the last half of the way to first base while the ball is being fielded in the vicinity of first, a baserunner must stay within the three-foot runner’s lane to the right of the foul line unless they are avoiding a player fielding a batted ball.”

When C.H. Abrams threw the ball to get second out, the ball got a deflection off Meyers’ helmet and allowed Abrew to score and that’s what infuriated the Nationals and their coach.