Blocking the Plate With Buster Posey

Posey's collision with Cousins

On Wednesday night Giants Catcher Buster Posey was injured in a collision at home plate with Marlins Outfielder Scott Cousins. Word came on Thursday that Posey's fibula was fractured and his ankle severely sprained putting him out of action for at least 6-to-8 weeks. It is an unfortunate injury for the budding young star and former Florida State Seminole and also a crushing blow for the defending World Series champions. Also on Thursday Giants' Manager Bruce Bochy's speaks in the absurd:

Bruce Bochy

"It's part of baseball, I understand that, guys running into catchers. Being a catcher, I've been in a few of them. You're in harm's way there," Bochy said. "I think we do need to consider changing the rules here a little bit because the catcher is so vulnerable and there's so many who have gotten hurt. And not just a little bit, had their careers ended or shortened. And here's a guy who's very popular in baseball. Fans want to see him play."


I'm still shocked by the quotes from Bochy, an ex-catcher. Collisions happen at the plate because of how much protection the catcher has on a play at the plate- both physical and metaphorical. Catchers routinely block the plate on these plays using their gear against runners whose only weapon is speed and the force it creates. Baserunners choose to run-through a catcher because that is their safest option. A headfirst slide into a blocked plate can lead to serious injury- the frightening, life-altering neck and head kind. A foot-first slide into home is also extremely risky- but for runners only. This kind of slide can lead to the very leg injuries Posey incurred on Wednesday night- but for the runner only. Catchers' safety is marginally in peril in this case. They are taught to forcefully plant their protected left knee and shin as the runner attempts to score a run. In other words backstops hold the upper hand on every play at the plate save for a collision. Which is why its the preferred method for many players.

Posey, as a SS at FSU

I also have to wonder what rules Bochy suggest be enacted. Posey's injuries could easily be placed on his inexperience in these situations. Whats to blame for this inexperience? Home-plate collision rules in amateur baseball- which Posey played until just under two years ago (yes he also played little catcher in college- he was mostly a shortstop). One can understand the rules for younger leagues- perhaps even through high school. But in college this rule borderlines negligent. Runners 18-22 years old are required to slide- no going around, over, or through the catcher- at home plate. Violators are out, often thrown-out and suspended. All this to spare the catcher- the one man wearing loads of protective equipment- and put another, less-protected player at risk. Imagine if, after breaking through into the secondary, a running back was required to slide at the feet of the free saftey- no going through, over, or around him. Thats an exaggerated expression of course but I stand my ground on the issue. Home plate collision rules need to be relaxed at the college level, giving runners fair consideration as well as their most safe option. And as for pro baseball, the rules need no altering whatsoever, Mr. Bochy.