Buster Posey hurt in collision at the plate

[erik316wttn]

In last nights game, Buster Posey was on the receiving end of a huge blow by a baserunner trying to score. His agent says that he's going to lobby MLB to change the rules to where a runner can no longer barrel into a catcher at the plate.

 

I think this can make for some interesting discussion-- what are your thoughts?

 

Here's the ESPN article...

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6592212

[shnsajax]

Maybe he shouldn't have blocked the plate.

[apete6]

Maybe he shouldn't have blocked the plate.

 

Exactly. No one says anyone has to put themselves in harm's way in sports. It's human nature and competitiveness. Guys are going to get hurt if they continue risky behavior. You can't outlaw contact in all sports. If someone doesn't want to risk injury for 1 game in May, they don't have to.

[Prizefight]

Next time, don't stand on the tracks when the train's coming through

[Banedon]

I haven't watched the play, so I'm not talking about this specific situation...

 

I'm ok with the collision at the plate when the runner gets there at the same time as the runner, if the catcher has chosen to get in the way of the runner when he doesn't have the ball yet.

 

But I don't think there's a point to it when the catcher has the ball clearly in advance. Have a rule that the ump can call the runner out if the catcher has the ball and is waiting for the runner to arrive. It'd be an ump's judgement situation, but he could call the out in advance in order to spare the collision.

[NCCubFan]

I read that he broke his leg and tore ligaments in his ankle and is probably out for the year. Unfortunate, but it's part of baseball.

[Irrelevant Dude]

But I don't think there's a point to it when the catcher has the ball clearly in advance. Have a rule that the ump can call the runner out if the catcher has the ball and is waiting for the runner to arrive. It'd be an ump's judgement situation, but he could call the out in advance in order to spare the collision.

I agree, but my guess is that most of the injuries occur when the catcher doesn't securely have the ball. If he already has the ball, then he has a chance to brace himself for impact, but if he is standing there waiting for the ball then he is defenseless (and also in the runner's way).

[OleMissCub]

It's baseball. It happens. His agent needs to shut up.

[erik316wttn]

Personally I have no problems with it. It's just playing hard. The baserunner obviously didn't mean to intentionally hurt him, and was only trying to score a run. It's unfortunate. No different than a runner taking out the SS or 2B trying to break up a DP, IMO, only there's more contact here. It's just playing hard, nothing more. There was no malice involved.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I want more collisions at the other bases.

[Tryptamine]

Playing devil's advocate here. Why are you allowed to plow over the catcher, but you can't plow over a 1B,2B etc? The gear a catcher wears is made to lessen impact of baseballs it does very little to help with getting running over by a person going full speed. On ESPN's sport science this morning they showed that a guy hitting a catcher is delivering 3200ish lbs of force. That's more than a QB taking a hit from his blindside.

[SouthSideRyan]

Playing devil's advocate here. Why are you allowed to plow over the catcher, but you can't plow over a 1B,2B etc? The gear a catcher wears is made to lessen impact of baseballs it does very little to help with getting running over by a person going full speed. On ESPN's sport science this morning they showed that a guy hitting a catcher is delivering 3200ish lbs of force. That's more than a QB taking a hit from his blindside.

 

You can plow over the 1B or 2B if they're standing directly in your path without the ball.

[Mark Priors Calves]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/734/081/belle_display_image.jpg?1298053529

[erik316wttn]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/734/081/belle_display_image.jpg?1298053529

 

I was just about to post something like this. You beat me to it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I just watched the play on mlb.com.

 

A couple of notes:

 

1. First Posey never has the ball. The ball beats the runner, but Posey never catches it.

 

2. The runner collides with him, but it isn't a particularly viscous hit. It seems more a freak injury caused by the collision and the fact that Posey is in the way and trying to plant his feet and turn without the ball that causes the injury.

 

So, if if I'm going with Posey's agent's way of thinking...I think the fault of injury lies more with Posey than the runner here. He was impeding the runner without possession of the ball, which he never had. The hit didn't jar the ball loose. Posey never caught it.

[davearm2]

Playing devil's advocate here. Why are you allowed to plow over the catcher, but you can't plow over a 1B,2B etc? The gear a catcher wears is made to lessen impact of baseballs it does very little to help with getting running over by a person going full speed. On ESPN's sport science this morning they showed that a guy hitting a catcher is delivering 3200ish lbs of force. That's more than a QB taking a hit from his blindside.

 

You can plow over the 1B or 2B if they're standing directly in your path without the ball.

Unless they're attempting to field it off the bat. Otherwise you're right, plus you can/should be awarded the next base for obstruction.

[davearm2]

I want more collisions at the other bases.

Or at least more fielders trying to block bases if it's legal. And runners plowing them when they do.

 

The rules around home plate are not different than at other bases, are they?

 

Always wondered why this doesn't happen more frequently at 2B and 3B, especially on stolen base attempts. The fielder should just get there first and block the bag until the throw arrives, then tag the guy out. That's essentially what catchers try to do.

[Backtobanks]

Maybe he shouldn't have blocked the plate.

 

Exactly. No one says anyone has to put themselves in harm's way in sports. It's human nature and competitiveness. Guys are going to get hurt if they continue risky behavior. You can't outlaw contact in all sports. If someone doesn't want to risk injury for 1 game in May, they don't have to.

 

Goodell is trying to eliminate contact in the NFL.

[jersey cubs fan]

Maybe he shouldn't have blocked the plate.

 

Exactly. No one says anyone has to put themselves in harm's way in sports. It's human nature and competitiveness. Guys are going to get hurt if they continue risky behavior. You can't outlaw contact in all sports. If someone doesn't want to risk injury for 1 game in May, they don't have to.

 

Goodell is trying to eliminate contact in the NFL.

 

NOHEISNOTYOURIDICULOUSDRAMAQUEENFANOFTHEWHININGABOUTWHATHAVEBEENILLEGALHITSFINALLYBEINGPUNISHEDASTHEYSHOULDBEBS

[champaignchris]

Playing devil's advocate here. Why are you allowed to plow over the catcher, but you can't plow over a 1B,2B etc? The gear a catcher wears is made to lessen impact of baseballs it does very little to help with getting running over by a person going full speed. On ESPN's sport science this morning they showed that a guy hitting a catcher is delivering 3200ish lbs of force. That's more than a QB taking a hit from his blindside.

 

You can plow over the other players. Happens all the time to 2B/SS covering second, particularly when the runner is trying to bust up a potential double play. I'd guess far more middle infielders are hurt from collisions from runners than catchers, which makes sense given that they have far less protection.

 

If runners aren't allowed to have contact with the fielder covering the base, you have to make it illegal for the fielder to block the runner's path to the base.

[jersey cubs fan]

Playing devil's advocate here. Why are you allowed to plow over the catcher, but you can't plow over a 1B,2B etc? The gear a catcher wears is made to lessen impact of baseballs it does very little to help with getting running over by a person going full speed. On ESPN's sport science this morning they showed that a guy hitting a catcher is delivering 3200ish lbs of force. That's more than a QB taking a hit from his blindside.

 

You can plow over the other players. Happens all the time to 2B/SS covering second, particularly when the runner is trying to bust up a potential double play. I'd guess far more middle infielders are hurt from collisions from runners than catchers, which makes sense given that they have far less protection.

 

That's a whole bunch of nonsense. Nobody plows into middle infielders. They slide in and occasionaly catch them with their cleats in just the right spot. The injuries are about legs being planted poorly or coming down awkwardly, they aren't getting plowed into, and the lack of protection has nothing to do with how they get hurt.

[Pushfrog98]

Looks like Buster should have paid closer attention to Ron Stilanovich on how to block the plate.

 

Could have used a Packrat, Gary C. or a Flatbush

[Wilson A2000]

Do most catchers kneel down for that type of play? That seemed to keep his leg pinned under him. From what I can remember, most catchers just crouch for a play like that.

[Derwood]

Do most catchers kneel down for that type of play? That seemed to keep his leg pinned under him. From what I can remember, most catchers just crouch for a play like that.

Most catchers will place a shin down in order to keep the runner's foot from getting to the plate on a slide

[BCVM22]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15201509

 

The play, in case anyone hasn't seen it yet.