Good thing or a bad thing? Explain.

Wussification of America

Honestly, I don't really think it would bother me. I've always thought it was interesting how the entire dynamic at home plate was different than what you see at any other base on close plays. That said, it needs to go both ways. I think catchers are sometimes given too much leash under the obstruction/interference rules. If they want to ban runners from plowing them, then they need to tighten things up and make the occasional obstruction call on catchers.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 11/13/2013 1:19p).]

Interference is normally called when protecting a second out. Explain a situation where a C would be get called for interference in your mind. Maybe I'm not thinking this through.

I wrote interference but technically meant obstruction - just edited. The main example I would give is when a catcher uses part of his body (often his leg, but sometimes his entire body) to block the plate when in reality he didn't need to occupy that position to receive the ball (which the rule allows him to occupy the space needed to receive the throw). For example, a throw is coming in from the OF (particarly CF or RF) and is headed for the 1B side of the plate. In the meantime, the catcher positions himself on the 3B side of the plate in order to block the runner but has to reach back across the plate to catch ball. The throw isn't so far offline that he has to move himself off the 3B line in order to catch it, but in reality, he didn't need to occupy the 3B side (and outright block the plate) in order to receive it. You never see this called obstruction, but I would argue in many cases he didn't need to occupy that space in order to receive the throw. The only reason he occupied the space was to block the runner - it was actually otherwise a less than preferable spot to be if one was simply receiving the throw.

Basically, my view is just because you can put yourself in the runners way while still being able to reach out to receive the throw doesn't mean you should have full liberty to do so, not if it wasn't necessary to receive the throw. The language of the obstruction rule doesn't necessarily need to change, but if we're going to basically make all runners slide, then I'd like to see the existing obstruction rule interpreted/applied more strictly.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 11/13/2013 1:20p).]

If they give the catcher the ability to block the plate without the consequences of collision it will be terrible. Block the plate take your chances. Change needed when catchers set up inside to leave runner a lane but runners go out of their way for a collision.

time to bring back the sweep tag

More I think about it, the more it is a can of worms. How can it be fair and enforceable?

Most ballplayers (at least US) played with the "must slide" rule at home plate throughout their childhood, so it wouldn't be too crazy to figure it out. Professional baseball is about the only place where it's still allowed.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 11/13/2013 9:04p).]

The NFL would call it "hitting a defenseless catcher". NCAA would consider it targeting.

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More I think about it, the more it is a can of worms. How can it be fair and enforceable?

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Take your pick of how its enforced among every other level of baseball?

The NCAA's rule is contact above the waist that is created by the base runner is not an attempt to reach the plate, and I don't think that it is difficult to properly enforce, and gets around Alavarado's concern pretty well.

I would vote for it to be reviewable.

[This message has been edited by TXAggie2011 (edited 11/14/2013 3:34p).]

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I would vote for it to be reviewable

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This IS a must for any rule. Luckily the reviewable play won't occur as often as it might in NCAA football.

My concern is that, in the MLB, any ruling is subject to the circumstances surrounding the event, the teams playing and the individuals involved. Right now the play is determined on the field. A new rule can alter this. I really hope they get it right!!!!