David Ortiz on keeping one foot in batter's box: 'I call that bulls---'

Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz was critical of Major League Baseball's new pace of play rules when speaking with the media Wednesday. Among the changes announced

SI Wire | Feb 25, 2015

David Ortiz on keeping one foot in batter's box: 'I call that bulls---' /

Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz was critical of Major League Baseball's new pace of play rules when speaking with the media Wednesday.

Among the changes announced last week is a rule that requires the batter to keep one foot in the batter's box after a pitch, with a few exceptions.

"It seems like every rule goes in the pitcher’s favor," Ortiz said. "After the pitch you have to stay in the box? With one foot? I call that bulls---."

Ortiz did not seem to be entirely familiar with the details of the rules when asked for his opinion. "Is that new?" he asked.

Batters will be allowed to step out of the box if they swing at a pitch, are forced out of the box by an inside pitch, the pitcher leaves the mound or for a few other exceptions.

• Alex Rodriguez: 'I think I'll be fine' without PEDs

Celebrities at Spring Training

Kate Upton

Here's a look at celebrities at spring training through the years.

Cameron Diaz

John Goodman

Eva Longoria and Ricardo Antonio Chavira

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren

Regis Philibin

Matthew Broderick

George Clooney

Jerry Seinfeld

Billy Crystal

Will Ferrell

Kevin Costner

Matthew McConaughey

Jordin Sparks

Ron Howard

Muhammad Ali, George Brett, Joe Torre and Wayne Gretzky

Paul Simon

James Taylor

Sigourney Weaver

The Blueman Group

Charlie Pride

Rob Schnieder and Willie Mays

Garth Brooks

Jennie Finch

Jim Belushi

Mario Lopez

WWE performer Kelly Kelly

Martin Short

Robin Williams

Bobby Knight

David Cook

James Blake

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino

Rob Schnieder

Actor Rob Schnieder (left) stands with Jeff Fassero, Ray Durham, and Barry Bonds who's portraying Paula Abdul.

Richard Gere

"They don’t understand that when you come out of the box you’re thinking about what the guy’s trying to do," Ortiz continued. "This is not like you go to the plate with an empty mind. We’re not doing it just for doing it. Our mind is speeding up. When I come out, I’m thinking, 'What is this guy going to try to do to me next?' I'm not walking around just because they are cameras all over the place and I want my buddies back home to see me."

Ortiz also said he was disappointed MLB enacted the rules without consulting players.

• Cubs hire Manny Ramirez as hitting consultant

"They put the rules together but they don't talk to us," he said. "Why don't you come and ask questions first? And then we can get into an agreement. But just like, 'You've got to do this just because I say so?' Oh, buddy, it doesn't work that way."

Players who violate the rules will be fined $500, but no fines will be issued during spring training or the first month of the regular season.

"I might run out of money," Ortiz joked. "I'm not going to change my game. I don't care what they say."

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal later reported that the first offense will trigger a warning, with the next four resulting in a "progressive fine." Rosenthal also reports that a player "can be suspended for just cause on his sixth offense if he displays 'willful disregard' of the rule."

- Dan Gartland

Published Feb 25, 2015

SI WIRE

Delivering breaking sports news in real time.