Daily Madden: It's Time To Ban All Home Plate Collisions
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Major League Baseball has approved a new rule that outlaws most home plate collisions.
"With safety and everything we're talking about in sports now, the time has come," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "You think of the Buster Posey (injury), but there were a lot of other ones too."
Madden said the collisions had become more dangerous.
"Catchers used to win that battle," John said. "Maybe players got bigger or something, but the runner became the guy doing the damage. And I think, as long as there's damage being done, they ought to get rid of it."
The new rule doesn't ban all home plate collisions. It allows the catcher to block the plate if he has the ball, and allows the runner to make an effort to touch the plate without lowering his shoulder or pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms. Some players and fans would like to see a total ban on home plate collisions.
"They're eventually going to get there," Madden said, "and it's time to do it." (6:15)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)