New Rule Changes Continue to Evolve
Everybody saw this coming:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/m...catches-041814
I still don't understand why catchers are ever allowed to block the plate, even while in possession of the ball. What's wrong with simply having a uniform rule in which the fielder may not position his body to block the runner's access the bag? If you want to avoid collisions, that's the rule. It isn't complicated. If the only way you can field the ball is by obstructing, tough luck. There's no such thing as a throw that can only be fielded by blocking the back. You can always take a step in or a step back. It might not be ideal, but you don't HAVE to interfere.
Nobody who learned the game of baseball with the rule above would ever think the game would be improved by allowing fielders to interfere. The runner has right of way to the bag. To get him out, you tag him with the ball. If you obstruct his path to the bag with your body, he's safe. It's simple. It's elegant. It encourages skill and precision. The only downside is for people who would rather watch football and for people in the game who feel like "their" game is being taken away and/or their toughness is being devalued.
Re: New Rule Changes Continue to Evolve
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RedsManRick
Everybody saw this coming:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/m...catches-041814
I still don't understand why catchers are ever allowed to block the plate, even while in possession of the ball. What's wrong with simply having a uniform rule in which the fielder may not position his body to block the runner's access the bag? If you want to avoid collisions, that's the rule. It isn't complicated. If the only way you can field the ball is by obstructing, tough luck. There's no such thing as a throw that can only be fielded by blocking the back. You can always take a step in or a step back. It might not be ideal, but you don't HAVE to interfere.
Nobody who learned the game of baseball with the rule above would ever think the game would be improved by allowing fielders to interfere.
The runner has right of way to the bag. To get him out, you tag him with the ball. If you obstruct his path to the bag with your body, he's safe. It's simple. It's elegant. It encourages skill and precision. The only downside is for people who would rather watch football and for people in the game who feel like "their" game is being taken away and/or their toughness is being devalued.
Not really. The fielder has the right away if he is in the process of fielding the ball. The only time the runner has the right away is if the fielder has already attempted to make a play on the ball or is waiting but isn't in the process of fielding the ball.
In short, if a collision results when a fielder is in the process of making a play on the ball = interference on the runner. If a collision results when a fielder is not in the process of making a play on the ball = obstruction on the fielder.
Also, you can block any base if you are in possession of the ball. You can stand directly in the runner's path at any point between the bases if you have the ball. The only place where we've allowed fielders to block a base without the ball in the past is at home.
Re: New Rule Changes Continue to Evolve
My god, LaRussa makes sense. What next?
Re: New Rule Changes Continue to Evolve
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Norm Chortleton
Not really. The fielder has the right away if he is in the process of fielding the ball.
That can be open to interpretation. If the catcher doesn't have the ball yet but the throw is coming to a place where when he fields it he is in blocking the plate, that can be interpreted as "getting ready to field the ball."