Should MLB rules be changed to protect the catcher?

[clew84]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

that's actually something i would like a little clarification on.....is blocking the plate obstruction and against the rules, technically speaking? but, it's tolerated? or, are the rules a little different for catchers as compared to other infielders? or, is it a fine line open to interpretation?

If it's a rule, it's a rule that is NEVER called. Can you imagine a catcher blocking the plate making the tag and the runner gets awarded home based on that? I seriously doubt in MLB rules that blocking the plate is illegal.

I've been a catcher for years (little league, high school, tried in college, a little semi-pro summer ball, and now a 35 and over league). I have been bowled over a few times and while it's preferable to deliver the hit instead of take one, or be back on your heals, it's not easy to make the transition to do those things when you are also waiting for the ball to get there. Sometimes the ball takes you into a runner, sometimes you have to go down to catch a ball on the hop up or down the line. I take pride of blocking the plate so that the runner doesn't touch the base even if it's a bang-bang play. But I'm kind of dumb like that and luckily I haven't been seriously injured.

The rule shouldn't be changed, IMO.

Edit - If the catcher has the ball in MLB, the catcher can block the plate. If the catcher doesn't have the ball it is illegal and called "obstruction". But again, I have never seen it called. Then again, most catchers are not going to block the plate for several seconds waiting and fighting off the runner to get to home plate. In most situations when technically obstruction occurs, the catcher will go down and block the path to home and the ball arrives on the second "bang" of the bang-bang play.

[Mrdi]

It was a cheap shot meant to do damage

[Art161]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

It was a cheap shot meant to do damage

That's the first comment of that nature I have seen or heard. Buster Posey said he thought it was a legal play. The President of the Giants said the same. Hey, it was the top of the 12th inning in a tie game.

[mikea]

Former college baseball player and a purist. Catcher has every right to block the plate and the runner has every right to run him over. Very unfortunate for Posey , great young player, but a clean play! Part of the game!

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by Art161

That's the first comment of that nature I have seen or heard. Buster Posey said he thought it was a legal play. The President of the Giants said the same. Hey, it was the top of the 12th inning in a tie game.

First time I have heard this as well. There was nothing cheap about it.

[Sherwooddavid]

Don't change it is an exciting part of the game.
MLB are very hesitant to tinker with any rules and upset the purists so I don't it will ever be changed.