We both know the answer to this question is because the catcher has gear on. Most people don't realize however that the gear helps approximately zero when someone is trying to run through you. It's purpose to to protect you from a baseball hitting you, not a 240 pound guy with a full head of steam.
MLB: Home-Plate collisions
- Thread starter RandomFan
- Start date
We both know the answer to this question is because the catcher has gear on. Most people don't realize however that the gear helps approximately zero when someone is trying to run through you. It's purpose to to protect you from a baseball hitting you, not a 240 pound guy with a full head of steam.
Will you at least admit that If it wasn't for Posey's poor footing and dropping to his knees he wouldn't have gotten injured?? If he would've actually prepared for the hit like he was taught, then he would've gotten knocked backward onto his rear and the only thing hurt would be his ego.
Are charges necessary in basketball? What about fighting in hockey?
Finally I would like to bring up one last point. In the baseball rules (the actual rules, not the unwritten rules) when discussing blocking the path of the runner, it specifically states the following about catchers:
"The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand."
Posey Clearly throws himself towards the plate as Cousins is coming in. Cousin is assuming that Posey is going to block (and rightfully so based on the play of the catcher). Posey didn't get entirely into a blocking position in this case, but if the umps aren't going to call the game as the rules stipulate than Cousins has to assume that Posey is going to catch the ball and try to block the plate.
Unless you can convince the umps to actually call the game by the rules in place then you are wasting your breath. Was it a horrific accident...yes, but you didn't see any rules put in place about blind side hits that go over the top when Joe Thiesman broke his leg.
Our society is very reactionary, and unfortunately not proactive. It takes people getting tons of concussions for people to start caring about them and it take someone breaking a leg before anyone complains about plays at the plate.
What about players trying to break up a double play that clearly aren't sliding at the bag. I would argue that they have malicious intent in trying to knock over the defender to prevent him from throwing the ball.
Why aren't you complaining about that as well.
Why aren't you complaining about that as well.
No fielder without possession of the ball has the right to block anything (otherwise known as obstruction) so I'm not quite sure what you're going after. The point of contact is still in FRONT of the plate. Posey wasn't blocking the plate. The runner had to go in with the intent to plow Posey because any runner with a brain in their head sees the catcher out in front of the plate in fair territory and then would slide to the back (in foul territory), making it nearly impossible for the catcher to put on the tag. All of the pictures in this thread show Posey in fair territory and the one down the third base line shows him CLEARLY in fair territory.
"The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand."
By definition, the base "line" is the line directly from third base to home plate, which, in this case, would be the foul line. Posey is clearly not in the baseline as evidenced by multiple pictures. Additionally, if he was in the baseline, a collision should have forced him back to the side of home plate opposite third base, which didn't happen.
Because you apparently need a refresher course in the rules of baseball. Players aren't required to slide directly into the base. They are required to slide at a point where they can still grab the base so you basically get an arm's length to either side of the base. The rule was written to protect middle infielders who come all the way across the base and are not in a position to make a play on the base (like in this case).
Your rule posted above has no connection to the Posey play at the dish. Posey wasn't in the baseline or base path (the line from the runner directly to the base). The play on Posey is malicious because the runner went out of his way to cause the collision.
This is ridiculous. We are talking baseball here that has a long tradition that has lasted longer than any one of us will live. Collisions at the plate have been around a long time and they aren't going to do anything to change it. Next you will be telling me that they will change the rules to allow another player to bat for the pitcher...uh...nevermind...
Technically, if you have the ball you can block the runner from any base, and he can then try to go through you. However, since home plate is the ultimate goal, both players are going to be more agressive. Throw in the fact that if a SS blocks 2nd base with his leg on an attempted steal there is a chance the baserunner slides feet first and puts a few cleat holes in his leg. The reason you would never plow at another base is that the fielder could side step you and would be out anyway (You can overrun home plate, you can't overrun 2nd).
I agree the Posey play was clean, and had he been positioned correctly he most likely would not have been hurt. Unfortunate outcome.
I agree the Posey play was clean, and had he been positioned correctly he most likely would not have been hurt. Unfortunate outcome.
Has nothing to do with preferential treatment. It's just like when an NBA team brings in some chump to rile up the star player and stir things up because the loss to that player means nothing and the loss to the star player means everything. It's cheap and unnecessary, just like that "slide" (actually elbow first lunge) was. He could have easily slid to avoid contact. There are moments when the catcher is clearly blocking the path and has it coming. This was not a case. And the fact that it was some rookie that won't make it in the league taking out the team's best player makes it sting a little more when it was a cheap shot...
Very true. The Giants struck gold last season at this exact time of year when Buster was called up, but that's pretty much a once in a franchise occurrence...
