5 years ago, Almora's out. I know the intent of the rule is to protect defenseless catchers but this time it worked against them. Blocking the plate is a great baseball play.
It is what everyone was taught. It's instinctual. So it may be a while before we stop seeing guys block the plate.
On a related note, after last nights game, Doug Glanville suggested catchers start behind home plate on a throw in, and as the ball nears the plate the catcher runs up to catch it in front of the plate, giving him cover on the requirement that the catcher is allowed to block the path of a runner if the throw takes him into him. Something to think about anyway.
Makes sense but the downside is if the throw short hops, then the catcher has to come up to the plate to get it. Then it becomes a timing play on where he crosses the plate when the runner's coming in. The catcher can't stay behind the plate waiting for the ball to bounce to him and then move up. His chances are better to move ahead of the plate, play the short hop and then hope for the swipe tag.
The idea is not to wait for the ball to get to you, but to start behind the plate and go get it, allowing the throw to take you into the path of the runner. The rule states you're allowed to impede the runners progress if the throw takes you into the path. Not sure if it's practical or not, but it makes sense. Of course, the timing would have to be perfect, but that's why those guys get the big bucks, eh! 🙂
“True terror is waking up one morning and discovering your high school class is running the country.” —Kurt Vonnegut
The idea is not to wait for the ball to get to you, but to start behind the plate and go get it, allowing the throw to take you into the path of the runner. The rule states you're allowed to impede the runners progress if the throw takes you into the path. Not sure if it's practical or not, but it makes sense. Of course, the timing would have to be perfect, but that's why those guys get the big bucks, eh! 🙂
If the ball, the catcher, and the runner all arrive at the same time, I wonder who gets priority in the event of a collision...does the catcher's right to the ball supersede the runner's right to the base or is it vice versa? I guess that's what the umps are paid to know.
The idea is not to wait for the ball to get to you, but to start behind the plate and go get it, allowing the throw to take you into the path of the runner. The rule states you're allowed to impede the runners progress if the throw takes you into the path. Not sure if it's practical or not, but it makes sense. Of course, the timing would have to be perfect, but that's why those guys get the big bucks, eh! 🙂
If the ball, the catcher, and the runner all arrive at the same time, I wonder who gets priority in the event of a collision...does the catcher's right to the ball supersede the runner's right to the base or is it vice versa? I guess that's what the umps are paid to know.
The bottom line is, the rule states the catcher can block the plate or impede the runner if the throw draws him into the runner. I think that was the point Glanville was making. It doesn't matter who gets there first when ruling on a matter of blocking or a collision. If the throw draws the catcher into the runner, the umpires "should" rule it a clean play. That's why Doug says to start behind the plate, then adjust forward as the ball approaches. Of course, the throw still has to be on the mark, or it really won't matter anyway.
“True terror is waking up one morning and discovering your high school class is running the country.” —Kurt Vonnegut
The idea is not to wait for the ball to get to you, but to start behind the plate and go get it, allowing the throw to take you into the path of the runner. The rule states you're allowed to impede the runners progress if the throw takes you into the path. Not sure if it's practical or not, but it makes sense. Of course, the timing would have to be perfect, but that's why those guys get the big bucks, eh! 🙂
If the ball, the catcher, and the runner all arrive at the same time, I wonder who gets priority in the event of a collision...does the catcher's right to the ball supersede the runner's right to the base or is it vice versa? I guess that's what the umps are paid to know.
The bottom line is, the rule states the catcher can block the plate or impede the runner if the throw draws him into the runner. I think that was the point Glanville was making. It doesn't matter who gets there first when ruling on a matter of blocking or a collision. If the throw draws the catcher into the runner, the umpires "should" rule it a clean play. That's why Doug says to start behind the plate, then adjust forward as the ball approaches. Of course, the throw still has to be on the mark, or it really won't matter anyway.
But then the catcher can still get blasted by the runner if he's moving forward as the ball is coming in and the runner is approaching. Its bang-bang, but if the catcher is moving forward and reaching for the ball, he's not bracing himself for contact with the runner which could lead to the injury the rule was designed to prevent in the first place.
Well, my take is it's a bad rule. Again, I'm not in favor of hits like the one Posey received, or the type of plays like Rose displayed in the 1970 All-Star game that ended Ray Fosse's career. But plays like that can be counted on one hand. Far more catchers go on the DL for far less. Changing the game because a guy got seriously injured is ridiculous. It happens. I'm in favor of mitigation and maybe even judgements on particular plays, but using anecdotal episodes to change a part of the game that is fundamental is more than idiotic.
By the way, that play in 1970 with Rose and Fosse ended the game with Rose's score and the NL winning. I've bitched about that play ever since. Everybody talked about Rose and how tough he was, and what a great ball player he was, and a lot of other cheap crap. But nobody, and I mean no body, talks about the guy who got the game ending hit and RBI that drove Rose in. It was the Cubs own Jim Hickman. I still grouse about that! 🙂
“True terror is waking up one morning and discovering your high school class is running the country.” —Kurt Vonnegut
Can you imagine something like that happening in an All Star Game now? Guys barely run to first base.
The Cubs need to revert back to just hitting for power. They play better when they aren't trying to just make contact. Or they should split the line up in half and say, you four can hit for power and you four make sure to get on base for the guys who can hit for power.
It's frustrating seeing Wilson and Bryant not hit dingers.
Twitter: CPTNDONUTS
Former WIDB Sports Director and Dawg Pound President. Since my freshmen year, SIU Basketball has not appeared in a NCAA or NIT postseason game.
The Cubs need to revert back to just hitting for power. They play better when they aren't trying to just make contact. Or they should split the line up in half and say, you four can hit for power and you four make sure to get on base for the guys who can hit for power.
It's frustrating seeing Wilson and Bryant not hit dingers.
Twitter: CPTNDONUTS
Former WIDB Sports Director and Dawg Pound President. Since my freshmen year, SIU Basketball has not appeared in a NCAA or NIT postseason game.
The Cubs need to revert back to just hitting for power. They play better when they aren't trying to just make contact. Or they should split the line up in half and say, you four can hit for power and you four make sure to get on base for the guys who can hit for power.
It's frustrating seeing Wilson and Bryant not hit dingers.
Twitter: CPTNDONUTS
Former WIDB Sports Director and Dawg Pound President. Since my freshmen year, SIU Basketball has not appeared in a NCAA or NIT postseason game.
The Cubs need to revert back to just hitting for power. They play better when they aren't trying to just make contact. Or they should split the line up in half and say, you four can hit for power and you four make sure to get on base for the guys who can hit for power.
It's frustrating seeing Wilson and Bryant not hit dingers.
Twitter: CPTNDONUTS
Former WIDB Sports Director and Dawg Pound President. Since my freshmen year, SIU Basketball has not appeared in a NCAA or NIT postseason game.
The Feast or Famine offense returns. At least they won the series.
Hope Javy's elbow isn't bad. Early reports said just a bruise, not a break.
Lose 4 in a row in Cincy, come back and split in LA. This team gets up to play the good teams. June has always been the dog days for them and then they come smokin' out of the All Star break. Milwaukee never took full advantage of the losing skid and are only 2 1/2 up. If Darvish can stop turning into Derrick Rose, they'll be fine in the second half.
