The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > General Topics > Open Discussion Forum

View Poll Results: Should MLB rules be changed to protect the catcher?
Yes. 4 11.11%
No. 26 72.22%
No opinion. 6 16.67%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 27 May 2011, 05:04 AM   #1
Art161
"TRF" Member
 
Art161's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Art
Location: San Francisco
Watch: Sundial
Posts: 2,266
Should MLB rules be changed to protect the catcher?

Should Major League Baseball rules be changed to protect the catcher by banning a base runner from running into the catcher while trying to score? Some people are proposing that the base runner be required to slide.

This discussion, at least around San Francisco, is prompted by the Giants star catcher, Buster Posey, reportedly being out for the season because of a broken ankle or leg bone suffered when the runner ran into him at home plate. One of the commentators who was calling the game on TV is a former Giants pitcher. He said the hit was clean based on the current rules. It didn't look out of the ordinary to me. It's just that in this case Posey's leg got twisted around and he broke a bone.

Various rules in various sports have been changed over the years with an eye towards preventing injuries. Should this rule be changed, or is it an acceptable risk resulting from physical contact in a sport?
__________________
Rolex SS Oyster Perpetual no date, TT Datejust
Member #13992 HM Power to the Superlative Panda, officially certified! HMPanda eats, shoots and leaves.
Rolexers do it with perpetual movements.
Art161 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 05:05 AM   #2
CoopJr
"TRF" Member
 
CoopJr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Coop
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: Subs
Posts: 6,455
CoopJr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 05:13 AM   #3
East Bay Rider
"TRF" Member
 
East Bay Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Bill
Location: East Bay RI
Watch: GMT-II 16710LN
Posts: 11,878
IMO, No because in many cases the collision causes the catcher to drop the ball resulting in the base runner being 'safe'.
__________________
I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says "now"
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And if I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
J. Buffett
Instagram: eastbayrider46
East Bay Rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 05:43 AM   #4
ducatidoc
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: the doc side
Watch: zenith
Posts: 3,779
Is it still legal for runners from first to second to slide in "spikes high" to try to break up a double play ? That always seemed unsporting to me.
__________________
The payments remain long after the novelty has worn off.

# 26371
NAWCC Member
ducatidoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 05:51 AM   #5
Art161
"TRF" Member
 
Art161's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Art
Location: San Francisco
Watch: Sundial
Posts: 2,266
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducatidoc View Post
Is it still legal for runners from first to second to slide in "spikes high" to try to break up a double play ? That always seemed unsporting to me.
I think it's still okay, but I'm not sure. That situation is often handled by the "neighborhood" play. The umpire will often call the runner out, even though the fielder does not have his foot on the bag. I don't think the "neighborhood" play is in the rules, but that's how the game is played. That provides some protection for the fielder.
__________________
Rolex SS Oyster Perpetual no date, TT Datejust
Member #13992 HM Power to the Superlative Panda, officially certified! HMPanda eats, shoots and leaves.
Rolexers do it with perpetual movements.
Art161 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 06:07 AM   #6
CoopJr
"TRF" Member
 
CoopJr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Coop
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: Subs
Posts: 6,455
I caught in H.S....been plowed over many times...it aint fun.
CoopJr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 06:33 AM   #7
East Bay Rider
"TRF" Member
 
East Bay Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Bill
Location: East Bay RI
Watch: GMT-II 16710LN
Posts: 11,878
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducatidoc View Post
Is it still legal for runners from first to second to slide in "spikes high" to try to break up a double play ? That always seemed unsporting to me.
In Little League that would result in the runner being called out.
__________________
I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says "now"
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And if I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
J. Buffett
Instagram: eastbayrider46
East Bay Rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 06:56 AM   #8
Tri-Tip
"TRF" Member
 
Tri-Tip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CA, USA
Watch: Out!!!
Posts: 6,394
They are paid more than enough money to take a chance on an injury.

Next thing you know, they will want to prevent crashes in motorsports.
Tri-Tip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 07:14 AM   #9
rolexertion
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Montreal, PQ
Posts: 722
Maybe, but I definitely think that an umpire who ruins a pitcher's perfect game by a stupid, bad call should be taken out and shot in the head and buried in an unmarked grave.

And baseball should get its head out of its ass and allow for changing a bad call so that kind of crap doesn't happen.
rolexertion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 07:59 AM   #10
mtrunner
2024 Pledge Member
 
mtrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Gary
Location: Bozeman, MT
Watch: 126508 Paul Newman
Posts: 7,825
I certainly hope they don't change the rules. Sometimes injuries do occur but it is part of the game. There is a good chance the catcher will drop the ball. I think it would be pretty lame if they required the runner to have to slide.
mtrunner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 08:24 AM   #11
East Bay Rider
"TRF" Member
 
East Bay Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Bill
Location: East Bay RI
Watch: GMT-II 16710LN
Posts: 11,878
In Little League if there's a play at the plate and the runner doesn't slide he's automatically called out. This is done to prevent injuries to children.
__________________
I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man
Floating down canal
It doesn't use numbers or moving hands
It always just says "now"
Now you may be thinking that I was had
But this watch is never wrong
And if I have trouble the warranty said
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
J. Buffett
Instagram: eastbayrider46
East Bay Rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 08:25 AM   #12
Watchdog
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Junkyard Dog
Location: The Doghouse
Watch: I can't tell time
Posts: 6,678
Not a purist, but in this case NOPE. Keep it as is.
Watchdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 08:44 AM   #13
NiceRide
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: So Cal
Posts: 175
I don't think it shoud be changed, it's one of the most exciting plays in the game. But the catcher that runs over a fellow catcher should definitely get a fastball to the numbers next at-bat.
NiceRide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 08:48 AM   #14
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
I'm sorry to hear about Buster Posey. I'm not sure about changing the rules but catcher is definitely a dangerous job. For example, Ray Fosse was never the same player after Pete Rose ran him over in an all star game.
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 08:58 AM   #15
Art161
"TRF" Member
 
Art161's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Art
Location: San Francisco
Watch: Sundial
Posts: 2,266
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri-Tip View Post
Next thing you know, they will want to prevent crashes in motorsports.
I think NASCAR heard you. They started out as a bunch of tough, backwoods moonshiners who enjoyed bumping door handles and brawling. Then it became the clean, big-time corporate world of sponsorship. There are still the big bucks sponsors, but NASCAR has eased up some on the rules to allow the sport to get a little bit closer to its roots and allow some rougher conduct.
__________________
Rolex SS Oyster Perpetual no date, TT Datejust
Member #13992 HM Power to the Superlative Panda, officially certified! HMPanda eats, shoots and leaves.
Rolexers do it with perpetual movements.
Art161 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 09:03 AM   #16
Launch Mini
"TRF" Member
 
Launch Mini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Real Name: John
Location: Canada, eh
Watch: can I?
Posts: 6,241
Keep it as it is. They are big boys, let them play.
AND, in Hockey, I say let them hit the goalie if he is out of his crease playing the puck. Freak, they have more padding than any other player out there.

Maybe they should put a screen in front of the pitcher , in case a line drive comes back at him.
__________________
Something witty to go here.

Member # 293
Launch Mini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 09:36 AM   #17
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Launch Mini View Post
AND, in Hockey, I say let them hit the goalie if he is out of his crease playing the puck. Freak, they have more padding than any other player out there.
Have to agree with you there. I think the goalies are too protected by the rules.
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 10:24 AM   #18
ippon20
2024 Pledge Member
 
ippon20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Real Name: Dan
Location: Orlando/NSB, FL
Watch: 16710 (3186)
Posts: 1,629
Quote:
Originally Posted by snowbird View Post
I'm sorry to hear about Buster Posey. I'm not sure about changing the rules but catcher is definitely a dangerous job. For example, Ray Fosse was never the same player after Pete Rose ran him over in an all star game.
Or what about Mike Piazza?
__________________
Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas International GTG 2016
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018

Instagram @pivot_and_spine
ippon20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:41 AM   #19
TSts
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: So-Cal USA
Posts: 1,067
No, putting yourself in front of the plate means you know what may happen. Part of the game until they rule for you to not block the plate.
__________________

116710LN
116300blro
TSts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:50 AM   #20
HKtoter
"TRF" Member
 
HKtoter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Steve
Location: Roll Tide
Watch: 16710 Pepsi
Posts: 1,025
If you're afraid of getting hurt, don't stand in front of the plate.
__________________


LUG HOLE LOYALIST
HKtoter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:59 AM   #21
seand442
"TRF" Member
 
seand442's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Earth
Watch: 116610
Posts: 3,454
It's a risk. Maybe they should put plexiglass in front of the mound so the pitcher won't take a come-backer at 150 mph. If you're getting paid professional money to play a game, there are certain chances you take.
__________________
NEVER ARGUE WITH AN IDIOT. FIRST THEY WILL DRAG YOU DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL. THEN, THEY WILL BEAT YOU WITH EXPERIENCE.
seand442 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 06:12 PM   #22
Cru Jones
2024 Pledge Member
 
Cru Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
an emphatic NO. it's part of the game, as are injuries. to me, it's not about the money these guys are paid, it's about the game itself and a pretty exciting part of it it, too.

the day the NFL requires two-hand touch of the QB is the day i'll reconsider the catcher getting extra protection....
Cru Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 10:26 PM   #23
BigMac53
"TRF" Member
 
BigMac53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Jon
Location: CT
Posts: 729
Absolutely not. This kind of play has been part of the game since the beginning, and in some cases is the MOST CRUCIAL play of the game. You hate to see a young stud like Posey go down for the year because of a freak injury, but thats part of the game, especially playing his position. I'd hate to see the league change the rule.
BigMac53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 10:45 PM   #24
Cru Jones
2024 Pledge Member
 
Cru Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
interesting take on cnnsi.com....

excerpt (with the full article here):

"Posey isn't that experienced as a catcher (he was converted in college) and dropping down isn't the ideal way to block the plate. Catchers are usually taught that the best way to block the plate is either to deliver a hit themselves or to be back on the heels, rolling back the way an NBA player takes a charge. The way that Posey set himself put his ankles at risk."
Cru Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 10:49 PM   #25
mtrunner
2024 Pledge Member
 
mtrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Gary
Location: Bozeman, MT
Watch: 126508 Paul Newman
Posts: 7,825
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
interesting take on cnnsi.com....

excerpt (with the full article here):

"Posey isn't that experienced as a catcher (he was converted in college) and dropping down isn't the ideal way to block the plate. Catchers are usually taught that the best way to block the plate is either to deliver a hit themselves or to be back on the heels, rolling back the way an NBA player takes a charge. The way that Posey set himself put his ankles at risk."
You would think someone would have clued him in on how to block the plate. I have seen the play several times and his leg certainly isn't supposed to bend like that.
mtrunner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 10:59 PM   #26
Cru Jones
2024 Pledge Member
 
Cru Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtrunner View Post
You would think someone would have clued him in on how to block the plate. I have seen the play several times and his leg certainly isn't supposed to bend like that.


well, sure, but, i think the author's point is that in such a bang-bang, explosive play, posey didn't have the reflex to put himself in a position to help minimize the chance of injury.

not trying to say it was his fault or anything. injuries happen.
Cru Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:01 PM   #27
conrail
"TRF" Member
 
conrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 3,177
No - its part of the game and a risk everyone takes. Hell, you can break your hand just sliding into a base....its physical. So long as it isn't Big Pappi rounding third like a freight train!
__________________
"Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!"
conrail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:04 PM   #28
Cru Jones
2024 Pledge Member
 
Cru Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
Quote:
Originally Posted by conrail View Post
So long as it isn't Big Pappi rounding third like a freight train!


the speed at which that "freight train" would be moving, posey could have tagged him out and hit the showers before ortiz would have made it to home plate.
Cru Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:16 PM   #29
1HotBoss70
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: Joe
Location: Ontario Canada
Watch: "V" GMT IIc
Posts: 185
I never like seeing anyone get hurt in any fashion, but Posey was illegally blocking the plate, the catcher has no right to impede the baserunners path to the plate, too many catchers set themselves up in the base path before they have the ball in their possession and this is illegal...the runner then has the right to run him....Posey should have set himself up a few feet up from the plate and then with the ball in his possession block the plate and in doing so he would have been able to brace himself for any possible impact. If any rule should be changed is that if the catcher impedes the runners path to the plate it prior to having possession of the ball it should be deemed interference. You don't see a first baseman blocking first base prior to having the ball...why should the catcher be allowed to do this...He deserved to get run, it was a clean play...
1HotBoss70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2011, 11:22 PM   #30
Cru Jones
2024 Pledge Member
 
Cru Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1HotBoss70 View Post
but Posey was illegally blocking the plate


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?

Cru Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.