A rule that need to be changed?????

Heck no!!!!!!!!!!!

The must slide rule is the most retarded rule. If the catcher is blocking the plate than level him--you have the right to the plate. The catchers have almost as much gear as a football player--does this mean you think they should eliminate all tackling to prevent injuries??

I've found this to be one of baseball's most confusing rules because it is seldom, if ever enforced:

"Rule 7.06

NOTE: 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."

No rule says the runner has a right to the plate.

I think this is the most overlooked rule in baseball. You often see players blocking the plate, or bags, long before the ball arrives. I've seen at lower levels where coaches teach, for example, a first baseman block the base on a pick off long before the ball is in his position. I think if they'd just enforce this rule, it would reduce such collisions.

Think about it, if it's OK to bowl over the catcher, why not the second baseman or third baseman? You’re only trying to dislodge the ball.

As for the equipment, do you want to catch without any? It’s not there for collisions; it’s there to protect the catcher while catching batters.

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Originally posted by obrady:
I've found this to be one of baseball's most confusing rules because it is seldom, if ever enforced:

"Rule 7.06

NOTE: 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."

No rule says the runner has a right to the plate.

I think this is the most overlooked rule in baseball. You often see players blocking the plate, or bags, long before the ball arrives. I've seen at lower levels where coaches teach, for example, a first baseman block the base on a pick off long before the ball is in his position. I think if they'd just enforce this rule, it would reduce such collisions.

Think about it, if it's OK to bowl over the catcher, why not the second baseman or third baseman? You’re only trying to dislodge the ball.

The obstruction rule forces the obstructed runner to make contact in order for obstruction to be considered.

If the runner evades the obstructing fielder then obstruction is not considered.

The worse cases of obstruction usually happen at third base. Runners attempting to score from second on a single are often blocked to the best lane to take to round third and head for home by the third baseman.

Most runners avoid the obstructing fielder losing time and speed to the plate.

Again, obstruction will not be considered unless contact occurs.

Catcher09 I used to think the same way as you but the more I studied the catching position the more I understood how all this is SUPPOSED to work which reduces the chances for injury. There are three people involved here (catcher, runner and the umpire) and if any fails to execute properly, injury can and does happen. If the catcher has the ball in his possession and has sufficient time, he WANTS to be able to step inside the base path, point his bent knee toward the third base bag, block the plate and take on the base runner. Where injury occurs is when the catcher attempts to block the plate prior to possessing the ball, he has not squared up and is focusing on catching the ball when the collision occurs. ---- OR ---- when the catcher is receiving the ball, is NOT blocking the plate and the base runner purposely takes on the unsuspecting catcher as in the Matt Smith clips shown here on the HSBBW. In my opinion forcing the runner to slide would not eliminate the possible injury to the catcher’s knee. Injuries would be reduced if catchers were taught when and how to block the plate --- and --- the umpires would make the proper call (they didn’t in the Matt Smith case) and baserunners were taught how to avoid the tag. If everything was done properly and even though the catcher gets bowled over from time to time, the advantage goes to the catcher.
IMHO
Fungo

quote:

If the catcher has the ball in his possession and has sufficient time, he WANTS to be able to step inside the base path, point his bent knee toward the third base bag, block the plate and take on the base runner. Where injury occurs is when the catcher attempts to block the plate prior to possessing the ball, he has not squared up and is focusing on catching the ball when the collision occurs. ----

As a former catcher who was once drilled just as Barrett was drilled yesterday, I learned my lesson quickly. Barrett was trying to "deke" AJ into believing that nothing was going to happen and he was standing in front of the plate without the ball and wasn't prepared for the hit.

Clean play in line with all of the relevant rules of baseball. The "suckerpunching baby" got the worst of it!

Go White Sox!

NO!!!!!

Although Ive been plowed a total of 5 times in my whole life(3 last,2 this year),I cant think of a better feeling than getting back up,rolling the ball out to the mound,and trotting back to the dugout.
Catchers are usually big guys,and they grow to expect this.I like the rule.

However there needs to be some line drawn.What pierzynski did yesterday was dumb.He knew barret didnt even have the ball,and had to act like a jerk when he slapped the plate.Barret didnt need to punch,but I understand why he was angry

Totally against changing or amending this rule at MLB level.

The catchers know the situation is going to happen from time to time and don't think the runner doesn't absorb some of the blow as well. Texiera smashed Posada at the plate earlier this week in a close one and it was the highlight of that game. Must have shown the replay thirty times. Posada was clearly stunned but held onto the ball and went on to hit a walk-off bomb if I remember right. Wish he'd have dropped it but it was a heckuva play by Posada.

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What pierzynski did yesterday was dumb

He did exactly what you are supposed to do in a situation like that. Dusty Baker agreed. Barrett agreed.

That is what you do to a catcher who is standing in front of the plate (blocking your path to the plate--WITHOUT THE BALL)! He slapped the plate, as he explained, because he was uncertain if he had gone far enough THROUGH Barrett to touch the plate with his feet.

Only mopey Rich Hill, who was launched for 7 runs in his few innings on the mound thought otherwise. Obviously, he hasn't been around the big leagues enough to know the rules. As a matter of fact, he has ZERO MLB wins. Too, the Cubs were looking for a left handed batting practice pitcher. They have one!

As usual, we (the FANS) know everything.

EVERY catcher in Major League Baseball will try to block the plate if a runner is coming down the line. Most of the time there is not a problem. The problems should only, and mostly do, occur when the catcher has the ball and is bracing himself for contact. What Pierzynski did yesterday was completely rediculous and not needed. Even if Barret was blocking the plate he still could have getten around it, the ball was nowhere near the plate at the time of contact. Pierzynski then proceeded to show up Barret by slapping the plate. He deserved to get punched, although most players wouldn't have the balls to do it.

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What Pierzynski did yesterday was completely rediculous and not needed. Even if Barret was blocking the plate he still could have getten around it, the ball was nowhere near the plate at the time of contact. Pierzynski then proceeded to show up Barret by slapping the plate. He deserved to get punched, although most players wouldn't have the balls to do it.

nd...lolololololol...You and mopey Rich Hill are the only 2 people in the world with that point of view. Hill was sent to the minors after the game. Your ticket is on the way.

As Mr Wilbon has been known to say "the game of baseball has become too sissified!"

Saw the play repeatedly over the weekend and have to say Pierzynski was totally and completely within reason to plow Barrett.

Barrett blocked the plate sans ball. It's a chance he took and he should expect to get rocked. IMO it was bush for Barrett to sucker punch Pierzynski.

How about those uniforms that the White Sox wore yesterday? Sweeeeeeeet!

Just to be clear, there is no "must slide" rule in NFHS baseball....

the rule is 2 fold....

If you slide it must be a legal slide....

And you must avoid malicious contact.....

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Why on earth is everything legal when it comes to the play at the plate?

I'm not against collisions at the plate, actually, I like them. I just feel that you shouldn't go out of your way to hit the catcher. The ball wasn't close to the plate so a collision was not needed. He could have just as easily slid around him like most of the other players in the league would have done if the ball wasn't there.