The San Francisco Giant's catcher, Buster Posey, is out for the season after a collision with the Florida Marlin's player, Scott Cousins, during a play at the plate during Wednesday night's game. Posey suffered a fractured fibula in his leg during the collision due the his cleats being stuck in the dirt during the time of impact. In an interview with “MLB.com”, Giants head coach, Bruce Bochy, believes that, “Its a part of baseball. I understand that guys run into catchers. I do think we need to consider changing the rules here a little bit because catchers are vulnerable...”
On one hand, I agree with Bruce Bochy that catchers do need some sort of protection from these type of brutal plays at home plate. But, on the other hand, these type of plays have been happening since baseball began. I know it might sound bad, but these type of head on collisions are part of baseball's rich tradition. If you think about it, it really comes down to who really wants to win. Will the catcher be able to stand his ground and not allow the runner to score? Or will the runner be able to crash into the heavily equipped catcher and jar the ball loose from his group and score the run. As gladiator-like as that sounds, it has always been a really exciting aspect of the game for the fans.
This kind of surprises me that Bruce Bochy would make a statement like that knowing that he used to be a catcher himself sometime ago. I understand that he would be a little upset about losing his star catcher possibly for the season, but I believe that he has to understand that it is part of the game. It is as part of the game as bad calls by the umpires, taking a guy out at 2nd base during a double play attempt, or the song, “Take Me Out To The Ballgame,” that is sung during the 7th inning of every game. As unfortunate as the injury was, you just can't start changing the rules of the game that have been in place for the last 100 years.
I will not be suprised if they change the rules just like they have been doing in football regarding defenseless players. I, however, do not agree with changing the rules. Being a catcher during my entire baseball career from T-ball to high school Varsity, I enjoy the plays at the plate. The rules already state that the runner must be making an effort towards the plate so any unnecessary contact is already handled under the current rules. The plate with Posey was questionable because Cousins wasn't exactly going for the plate. I agree with you that homeplate collisions are part of the game and the rules should not be changed.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point about the intentions of Cousins at the plate. He did seem to go after Posey intead of hook sliding around him to get to the plate. Still, it was a very unfortunate injury and I believe that MLB may tweek the rules a little if an incident of this magnitude happens again.
ReplyDeleteAmen, I'm tired of the direction our sports culture is taking. Whenever something unfortunate happens the different sanctioning bodies all impose these quick knee jerk reactions. This I feel is aiding in the "wussification" of our sports. I mean does every kid really need a trophy as Herm Edwards once said you play to win the game! So should we impose more rules on the game? No. Accidents happen get over it! I did by replacing him with Alex Avila.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more! Like you said, the "wussification" is getting a little out of hand in regards to some aspects in sports today. The one sport that is affected the most is definitely football though. Its really sad when a guy like James Harrison gets over $100,000 in fines in one season just because he plays the game like he was taught. Its just not right.
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