That's what makes it hard, on the close plays where its not a force out. I'm not sure how your gonna stop those types of plays from happening. The runner isn't watching the ball coming into the plate, so if the catcher is blocking the plate without the ball the runner has just as much right to the bag as he does. Even if the ball makes it to the plate before the runner does its hard to pull up and not make contact, especially if its in the last 10 or so feet.
Exactly, they will never stop those plays but they can stop the plays where the ball beats the runner by 20 feet and he takes out the catcher.
I agree with that, idk it will be interesting in what the rule states and how its enforced. I played baseball from the time I was 5 or 6 all through graduation and like you played catcher some and getting mowed over definitely sucked. Also played 3rd base and I would take getting blasted over getting spiked from somebody sliding into 3rd anyday though ha. Although now I'm not sure you can wear metal cleats in HS anymore so I guess that's not a problem.
You can still wear metal cleats most definitely. I got switched over to 3rd because of surplus of catchers. I'd take a beating at 3rd over catcher like you said.
Catcher by rule can not block the base without the ball. Enforce that rule. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I guess from what they just said on ESPN part of the rule change is the runners haveta slide into home and the catcher can't block the plate anymore.
Because it has always been part of the game, the catcher is not forced to block the plate. I think it's stupid as hell. It's going to be fun watching them take the throw from right, and turn and sweep the tag without throwing that shin guard like they have their whole life. Throw the shin guard, and it becomes the Umps decision. It will become yet another judgement call, and what's gonna set it off is when someone loses a critical game, playoff game or WS game on a guy reacting naturally and smashing the catcher, and or blocking the plate. I told my wife when Posey got hurt something would be done, and here we are.
He's never been allowed (by rule) to block the plate unless he has the ball. The rule is basically the same as other bases but players won't drop and block a bag with their leg without catchers gear. I don't know how they will handle it but I've said it for years, even before posey got hurt that this needs to go. Heck, these types of things aren't even allowed in football. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Another thing that needs to go are the maple bats. They are dangerous and someone will get KILLED from a bat flying through the air and most likely a fan or 3rd baseman before it changes. Nothing wrong with using ash bats and much safer.They shatter instead of split. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Yea idk I was just watching PTI earlier while looking at this thread and that was the comments they made. Basically I guess they haveta start enforcing the rule. Will be interesting I guess.
I have noticed recently more catchers setting up in front (toward pitchers) and rotating to block once they catch the ball. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Lol what's with the baseball not a "manly man" sport anymore? I never realized it was a combative sport. How a player trying to make a play on a ball or rob a homerun is compared to being driven over by a 220lb. athlete running a 4.5 forty is a little ... well... far fetched. There really is no place for it in baseball IMO and I think it's a good rule. Congrats to MLB for getting something right.
