Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Big Bang Rule Change

Last week, Giants catching sensation and team glue, Buster Posey, was severely injured in a collision at home plate. The throw came in to Posey who was set up to receive the ball while blocking home plate. The runner came in hard and, as many have done before him, he bowled into Posey. Posey dropped the ball and the runner was safe. The play was clean but Posey broke his leg and tore several ligaments in his ankle. He will likely miss the entirety of the season.

This incident has sparked much debate on whether or not the collision at home should be banned from the game. Some feel that "it's always been a part of the game" is not enough of an argument anymore and the league must step up and change the rules to prevent further injuries. I am not one of those people.

There has been discussion after discussion about the use of instant replay and many are against it because they say "where does it end?" The way I see it, there are certain topics that are just changing with the times and others that are sacred. Do you think if instant replay had been available when baseball was invented, it would be a part of the game? ABSOLUTELY!

My view about the home plate collision is that it is just one of the sacred things that should not be touched. If baseball decides to eliminate it, the game will be approaching a very slippery slope. Where do those types of rule changes end? Do we also eliminate the inside pitch? Or how about breaking up a double play? Baseball is a sport and in sports, injuries happen. Eliminating collisions at home plate is changing the very dynamic that makes the game great. In many ways, a collision at home plate represents the game beautifully. It shows how important one run could be and many people are forgetting that. This is a game where every run matters.

Every now and then, a catcher gets roughed up and everyone talks about getting rid of the play. In some regard, it might be called for. Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, told the media that he would support eliminating the play in spring training. Cashman may be on to something here. During the season the games matter. Risking injury to win a game could be argued but as far as spring training goes, it is pointless. However, it doesn't stop the younger runners from plowing into a catcher and it doesn't stop the younger catchers from standing their ground. These kids are simply playing their hardest to make a spot on the big league club. They are trying to prove something. So it is not uncommon to see a young catcher get hurt in spring training. Eliminating the play in spring training is something to consider but as far as regular season and post-season, LEAVE IT ALONE!

SIDE NOTE:

Phil Hughes is making progress in the early stages of his rehab and could be facing hitters in as early as 1 week. Hughes says that he is hoping to be back in a couple of weeks but the Yankees believe that might be a little quick, although they believe it will be before the allstar break.

Bartolo Colon has tasted the water's of the fountain of youth. He had managed to find his way back to his Cy-young form and be exactly what the Yanks need. Last night Colon pitched his first complete game since 2006 and gave up just 4 hits in the shut out effort. He has been nothing short of spectacular to watch but the question remains, can he stay healthy the entire season? I know 24 guys who certainly hope so.
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2 comments:

  1. I'm on the fence about it. While on the one hand it is indeed part of the game...and one that does indeed represent the importance of "small ball"... on the other hand there have been changes in every sport that have been for the safety of the players.

    Usually compromises are made...better equipment, time out penalties, or suspensions (usually the extreme) instead of completely ruling it out. I honestly think it should be a case by case basis and if done cleanly and with tact then allowed. What we don't want to see if catchers getting barreled and injured unnecessarily.

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  2. As it stands right now, it is on a case by case status. Cousins barreling into Posey was a clean play. Nobody wants to see guys getting hurt needlessly but the catcher has a choice in those situations. Posey said that he didn't feel it was worth it to save "just one run." I think he was speaking out of frustration but if thats how he really feels, then he needed to move.

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