Rays Manager Calls for MLB Rule Change to Punish Cheaters

Kevin Cash advocates for revisiting coaching box rule to better address cheating concerns

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:28am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the complex issues of rules and fairness in the sport.A cubist interpretation of the tensions and dynamics of professional baseball, where rules and regulations are deconstructed to address concerns over cheating and fair play.Today in Tampa

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash has called for the MLB to re-evaluate a rule that confines coaches to a designated box during games, arguing that the current approach is not effective in preventing cheating and may even inadvertently encourage it. Cash's comments come after an incident where the team's first-base coach, Corey Dickerson, was hit by a foul ball while restricted to the box, highlighting the limitations of the rule.

Why it matters

Cash's statement has sparked a broader discussion about the need for the MLB to take a more comprehensive approach to addressing cheating concerns in the sport. The current rule may be too restrictive, potentially hindering coaches' ability to effectively communicate with players and make timely decisions, which could inadvertently create an environment more conducive to cheating.

The details

The incident involving Dickerson being hit by a foul ball while confined to the designated coaching box underscores the challenges posed by the current rule. Cash argues that this rule may not be the best solution to prevent cheating, as it could encourage coaches to remain in the box, limiting their ability to properly manage on-field situations. The Rays manager believes the MLB should revisit this rule and consider alternative strategies for ensuring fair play and punishing those who engage in cheating.

  • The incident with Corey Dickerson occurred during a recent Rays game.

The players

Kevin Cash

The manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, who has called for the MLB to re-evaluate a rule that confines coaches to a designated box during games, arguing that it is not effective in preventing cheating.

Corey Dickerson

The Tampa Bay Rays' first-base coach who was hit by a foul ball while restricted to the designated coaching box, an incident that has highlighted the limitations of the current rule.

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What they’re saying

“The current rule keeping coaches in a box is not the right approach to address the problem of cheating. It might even inadvertently encourage coaches to remain in the box, potentially hindering their ability to communicate effectively with players and make timely decisions.”

— Kevin Cash, Manager, Tampa Bay Rays

What’s next

The MLB is expected to review the coaching box rule and consider potential changes to better address cheating concerns in the sport.

The takeaway

Kevin Cash's advocacy for a re-evaluation of the MLB's coaching box rule underscores the need for a more comprehensive and flexible approach to managing on-field situations and ensuring fair play in professional baseball. The discussion sparked by his comments invites further exploration of solutions to the challenges of cheating in the sport.