The rules of Major League Baseball allow fielders to block a base from an advancing runner provided that the defending player is either fielding the ball or in possession of the ball. The runner, also with a right to the base path, is then forced to choose between a collision or a crafty approach to the defended station. With so much at stake, these rules lead to collisions. Runners are obliged to break up double plays. First-basemen have a responsibility to field errant throws. Catchers must protect the plate. Injuries are a common by-product of the resulting collisions, not just at the plate, but also at first, second, and, sometimes, third.
I am willing to accept most of the collisions at first, second, or third as unavoidable and, for the most part, fairly harmless. I do not condone high spikes at second or a slide perpendicular to the base path, but, over the years, players and fielders seem to have developed unwritten rules that keep everyone adequately protected. At the plate, however, the rules seem to be different. Catchers step in to receive a throw and runners barrel towards the plate like a wrecking ball into a condemned building. The runner’s goal is to either prevent the catcher from fielding the ball, or, in the event that the catcher already has the ball, to dislodge the ball (and whatever else gets in the way) to safely reach the plate.
I have been pondering plays at the plate since mid-June, when Yadier Molina suffered a concussion after being run over by one of the Philadelphia Phillies. The next day was an off-day and Yadier skipped the following three games, missing four out of the next five while regathering his mental faculties. On the other side of the ball I also grimaced while watching Chris Duncan bowl over opposing catchers around the same time. What really got me thinking about it, though, was the game between China and the USA in this summer’s Olympic Games. Matt LaPorta took out the Chinese catcher at the plate (who left the game with a knee injury) and two innings later LaPorta was plunked in the helmet. I was surprised that this would go on in the Olympic Games, especially given that USA won the game 9-1. I found an interesting quote (see this article) of Joe Girardi from spring training about collisions at the plate:
During the season, I’m all for it. It happens in the season. In spring training, I don’t believe in it.
This suggests that such collisions should be avoided when the run is not meaningful. Yet bravado seems to get the better of most athletes in these situations. I don’t like to see the collisions and I really don’t like the injuries that result. In an age of pitch counts, body armor, and five-man rotations I wonder if it is really in the best interest of a team to risk their catcher on a violent play at the plate with a single run, or even a single game, hanging in the balance.