http://deadspin.com/blocking-the-plate-rule-screws-marlins-mike-redmond-st-1614363370?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

By the letter of the law the replay officials made the right call, but that doesn't take away from the stupidity of the rule.

A catcher can't even step back to field the throw on the big hop.

If it's anybody not named Buster Posey that gets trucked in 2011. This isn't even a rule today.

EDIT: was dumb and forgot to include link.

[This message has been edited by AllThings12thMan (edited 7/31/2014 10:48p).]

Horrible call - the throw beat the runner by a good 2-3 strides. There wasn't any contact because the runner was out by a mile. Don't understand why the folks in NY can't use discretion on interpretation of the rule. Just get rid of it all together.

I'm not against have the blocking rule, but holy crap this is awful.

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It's clear that Mathis is standing in front of the plate, but...where is he supposed to stand?

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this

Can someone explain please?



[This message has been edited by Corporal Punishment (edited 8/1/2014 10:31a).]

the catcher was blocking the base line and the plate before the ball arrived. Unfortunately the throw took him into the base line. The runner's only chance to touch home plate would have been via collision.

Umps got this one right per the rules. Nice job by the runner in recognizing the situation

You can't even take a step back to field a throw on the big hop.

You've got to be allowed to go where the ball is.

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He certainly could not have fielded the throw by going to his right.

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seriously?

That ball bounced a LONG way in front of him. He could've caught it well in front of the plate if he would've tried.

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Nice job by the runner in recognizing the situation

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Not sure what relevance this has.

The biggest issue to me is that he has the ball before the runner arrives, and therefore, the opening portion of the rule basically says "the rest of this BS you're about to read is moot on this play because the catcher had the ball before the runner arrived". Done. Terrible call.

Gross misinterpretation of the rule. There is no "blocking" anything if the runner isn't even there yet. By the logic of the current ruling, the catcher is not allowed to stand in that position even while the runner is rounding 3rd 90 ft away.

Rangers are about to get screwed on this rule.

This thing is ridiculous. They might as well do what my beer league softball league does and have a 2nd homeplate several feet away that is just for the runner, since you apparently aren't allowed to throw runners out at home anymore.

Here we go again.

Rangers somehow won both times the question came up the last few days, but it seems glaringly obvious some modification or more specific instruction needs to be created during offseason to better explain the rule.

Every play at home is now in question. Last night's was ridiculous to even have to stop for a review. Chirinos could barely reach the runner, but I'm also sure it wasn't very far from being overturned.

White sox just for screwed by this call. Absolutely horrible.

You talking about the White Sox from Tuesday night? If so, that was correct.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/baseball-joe/blog/another-giants-chisox-game-another-correct-7-13-application-081314

Totally obvious he was blocking w/o the ball.

No it was this afternoon. Technically MAYBE correct. But the dude was out by two steps. Logic has to play into this rule.

At least Ventura chose to go old school and kick dirt on the plate. He went out, got tossed, and started kicking dirt.

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No it was this afternoon. Technically MAYBE correct. But the dude was out by two steps. Logic has to play into this rule.

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Will need to see it. Crazy they had it back to back.

They need to suspend managers for arguing replay results. Not like the umps on the field have anything to do with the decision and replay already slows the game down enough.

Confusing rule at times. What about throws coming in from down the line at left field? Why not enforce at 2nd & 3rd also. Can't wait for this to delay a World Series game for 15 minutes.

Umpires' ignorance of home plate collision rule is major problem for MLB

That article highlights the main issue which we pointed out above. The dumbass umpires are applying the rule to the wrong situation. If the catcher has the ball before a runner arrives, the rule doesn't apply. He can block the plate. Period. The fact MLB hasn't squared this away is idiocy. With how they are calling this, why isn't every runner caught in a rundown ruled safe? After all, the defenders are not giving a lane.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 8/17/2014 10:42a).]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11489537/mlb-sides-close-collision-rule-clarity