In a recent game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets, a controversial ruling regarding a play at home plate has raised questions about Major League Baseball's (MLB) adherence to its own guidelines on catchers blocking the plate. The ruling, which secured the Cubs' 1-0 victory, has left the Mets and their manager, Carlos Mendoza, expressing their disagreement.

SNY, a sports network, posted an alleged memo that MLB sent to teams during spring training, seemingly contradicting the umpires' decision. According to the memo titled "Collisions at Home Plate Presentation," there are three specific catcher setups that are considered illegal when the catcher does not have possession of the ball. These setups put the catcher "in jeopardy of a violation," and include having a foot on the plate or foul line, straddling the foul line, and being in foul territory while straddling home plate.

SNY highlighted two screenshots of Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya with his foot clearly on the plate, potentially violating the first scenario mentioned in the memo. Additionally, an overhead video from SNY showed Amaya on the plate before tagging Pete Alonso. Despite the evidence, MLB's replay center deemed Amaya's setup "legal," stating that he had moved into the lane in reaction to the trajectory of the incoming throw.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza strongly disagreed with the call, expressing his frustration on the field. He referred to the memo received during spring training and stated that it clearly indicated that catchers are not allowed to have their foot in front of the plate or straddle without possession of the ball. Mendoza believes that the wrong call was made in this particular play.

The official rule in question, 6.01(i)(2), focuses on the catcher's role in blocking the pathway of a runner attempting to score. It states that unless the catcher has possession of the ball, they cannot hinder the runner's progress. However, there is an exception if the catcher is making a legitimate attempt to field the throw or if the runner could have avoided the collision by sliding. The ruling also highlights the importance of the catcher avoiding unnecessary and forcible contact while tagging a sliding runner.

While it seems that the replay officials' ruling was influenced by this specific comment attached to the rule, the controversy surrounding the play has sparked a broader debate about the consistency and interpretation of MLB's catcher guidelines.

In response to the ruling, Miguel Amaya maintains that he did not violate any rule and stands behind the decision made by the officials. The Chicago Sun-Times quoted him saying, "I was 100 percent sure from what I felt and what we did, and they made the right call."

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether MLB will address the concerns raised about the consistency and application of their guidelines surrounding catchers blocking the plate.