Report: MLB looking to adjust home plate collision and catch transfer rules

MLB instituted new rules on home plate collisions before the 2014 season. (G Fiume/Getty Images) Major League Baseball is looking to make quick adjustments to

MLB instituted new rules on home plate collisions before the 2014 season. (G Fiume/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball is looking to make quick adjustments to the home plate collision rule and the interpretation of the catch transfer rule, both of which have proven controversial already this season, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

The league is hoping to clarify what constitutes blocking the plate under the newly instituted guidelines, as well as encourage a more "common-sense approach" to what constitutes a catch and clean transfer.

Rosenthal reports that union reps met with the commissioner's office earlier this week to talk about the players' unhappiness with how replays, of what would have previously been considered a catch, were being interpreted, a complaint which many in the MLB front office agree with.

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The league is also hoping to clarify where catchers must position themselves when a runner is advancing from third base. Tony LaRussa, who now works in the league's offices, said the league hopes to work with teams so everyone has a better understanding of the rule.

"If we allow the catcher to stand there in front of the plate and it's not a violation, then -- our managers are going to say, 'Whoa, wait a minute. We were teaching our guys to slide because they had something to slide to,' " La Russa said.

What we hope is that if we correct this initial positioning, at least then we won't have runners as soon as they make a turn deciding, 'I've got to plow this guy.' "

MLB is expected to discuss the changes with the umpire's union as early as next week.