Home plate contact has no place

Rule 7.13 states « unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, he may not block the path of the runner as he attempts to score ». The runner will be declared unless the catcher violates this provision.

Why did you implement this new regulation?

The collision debate has raged since a May 2011 game when San Francisco Giants star receiver Buster Posey was hit hard by Scott Cousins ​​of the Florida Marlins on a home plate play.

On impact, Posey suffered a broken left leg and tore three ligaments in his ankle. His season had just ended.

The new rule prevents players from racing like trains towards home plate so that the catcher loses control of the ball.

Two beats, two measures

The most memorable home plate collision occurred in the 1970 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In the 12th inning, there were two outs and Pete Rose charged home from second base and raced in colliding with receiver Ray Fosse.

Shaken, the star player of the Indians at the time had to retire to the locker room, victim of a dislocated shoulder. He was never the same player thereafter.

This violent collision has, among other things, consecrated Pete Rose for his intensity in the game. In reality, he hit a vulnerable player. The same situation has already happened in hockey.

Let us remember the regrettable and deplorable cheap shot of Dale Hunter, who hit Pierre Turgeon from behind in Game 6 between the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders in 1993, after Turgeon had scored and play was stopped.

In hockey, Hunter receives a 21-game suspension while Pete Rose is elevated to the rank of « winners » by his desire to win at all costs.

In other sports

Is a defensive player in football allowed to knock out a pass receiver before he can catch the ball? In hockey, does an opposing player have the right to deliberately collide with a goalkeeper to prevent him from blocking or controlling the puck?

For or against this regulation?

Author William Shakespeare would analyze this regulation by writing: “Are you for or against attempted injury? »

The Quebec Junior Elite Baseball League, which I chair, approved the regulation that abolishes collisions at home plate even before major league baseball. The result is phenomenal, since no receiver or runner has suffered major body or head injuries from a close play at the pay plate.

Since the start of the series which ends today between the Blue Jays and the Orioles in Baltimore, one play has caused controversy at home plate. We must recognize that if this rule was not applied, it is quite possible that the season of Blue Jays receiver Alejandro Kirk might be over since the Orioles runner would have hit him without any restraint.

You can’t always blame the runner. You have to point the finger at the coach at third base who forces the player to run to the plate to add a point to the scoreboard.

Head protection

Wearing a protective helmet with two ears is mandatory for all batters, runners, and at all times, for batters or ball attendants. Coaches on bases also have head protection.

Except for some who consider themselves baseball purists, young baseball fans have not experienced this unnecessary violence at home plate. Contact with home plate is very risky. Same thing in hockey where the consequences could be catastrophic if a goalkeeper does not wear a mask or if a player jumps on the ice without a protective helmet.

If you want to witness gratuitous violence, but well controlled by the participants, I suggest a wrestling gala. I prefer to abolish contact with home plate instead of witnessing a collision which could jeopardize the career of Shohei Ohtani.