The rules on running to first are largely due to lefties like Grandal. In many cases a lefty can have a bit of a looping run to first if they are in front of a pitch. However, in the Grandal AB his swing did not cause such a path. It was pretty intentional to make the looping run to first that he did. I can’t remember who it was, but the Brewers had a similar situation this year that everyone cried about for days. The big difference in that scenario though was the fact the batter did end up pretty far in front of home because of his swing…thus causing a run to first that was much more by/on the grass. That players run to first was still fairly straight after he got going. I don’t recall the 45 foot rule being mentioned…so I don’t know if that is actually a thing. I will say I don’t think the point of the rule is to allow things like Grandal did. Astros fans can cry all they want, but I would expect every player in baseball to try the same if they have good awareness and are smart. It really isn’t much different than sliding into a base to break up a DP. If anything be mad at the umps for blowing the call.