Analysis as Replay Calls Toronto Catcher Kirk for Illegal Plate Blocking (Everyone's Favorite Rule)

Replay Review overturned HP Umpire Jeff Nelson's out call in Baltimore, ruling that Blue Jays Catcher Alejandro Kirk violated the home plate collision rule by blocking Orioles runner Adley Rutschman. We review. Article: www.closecallsports.com/2022/...
Twitter: / closecallsports
Discord: / discord
The ever-popular Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i)(2) mandates that a catcher refrain from blocking the runner's path to home plate until they receive the ball, UNLESS their blocking is made in a "legitimate attempt" to field the throw. Here's the rule: "Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as they are attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe. Not withstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."
Accordingly, the Replay Official found that Toronto catcher Kirk improperly blocked Baltimore runner Rutschman's path without the ball and was NOT blocking the path in a legitimate attempt to field the throw-presumably because Replay deemed that the catcher did not need to occupy that specific territory on the field in order to catch the ball at the time the catcher stood in that location.

[@priceright8963]

The more this rule gets applied, the more it's meant to punish the catcher instead of protect him. It needs to be at least revisited in the offseason.

[@clevelandohiofan]

"The Subscribe button is positioned legally" cracked me up way more than it should have. Good stuff as always, thanks for all of these breakdowns!

[@SeanPattyy]

The part of the application of this rule that always confuses me is "as they are attempting to score". Are they saying, when kirk is blocking the plate and the runner is still halfway up the line, that he is, at that exact moment, trying to score? He's trying to score from 40+ feet away?

[@nwbluezebra]

Kind of thought the same thing.

[@grantrobinson8179]

This isn't comparable to the Minnesota play. Rutschman slid through the middle of the plate without even making contact with Kirk. His path to the plate was completely unimpeded. Sanchez dropped his knee in front of the plate, which prevented the runner from reaching it, and led to a collision. That may have been the wrong call too, but it's not at all the same as this play.

[@linollieum3742]

That is true, but what Lindsay meant is that the calls are made based on where the catcher sets up, which they set up both blocking the plate in exactly the same way. The catcher is allowed to go where the throw takes them, and to block the plate with the ball, so from a pure rules perspective the Minnesota play wasn't worse than this one. The fact that the catcher specifically got out of the way in this one is fantastic and totally in the spirit of the rule, but the result of the play doesn't matter per the rule. it's where they set up that gets called with this weird rule that hasn't quite been figured out yet.

[@JAB2010]

Blue Jays fan?

[@grantrobinson8179]

@@linollieum3742 So you think Sanchez going down on one knee and blocking the plate had nothing to do with the call? You believe the call was already made before that happened. That's an interesting take. Based on this play, you may be right.

[@grantrobinson8179]

@@JAB2010 Twins, actually.

[@michaelchung1526]

@@grantrobinson8179 The moment the catcher blocks the runner's lane, the odds of the runner scoring on a review is exceptionally high. All that is left to be determined is whether in the umpire's judgement the block hindered the runner in anyway. So if the runner moved offline, slowed down even for a second, hesitated on the slide, etc. Any one of those things can be interpreted as hindering the runner from getting to home plate. The rule as it is written demands that the catcher do absolutely nothing to stand in the path of the runner as he rounds 3B. The moment you step in front of him without the ball and it was deemed that you weren't required to step in front of him at that moment to make a catch, the odds of you being called for a violation are very high from what we have seen this season. Is it right or in the spirit of baseball? Maybe? But the rule is the rule and until they change it catchers will need to figure it out. Danny Jansen, the other Blue Jays catcher is on record saying that (paraphrasing) he sets up in fair territory and bails from that position only at the last second to make the catch. Danny Jansen also hasn't had a ton of success recording outs at home plate either.

[@bluejaysbaseball]

It’s ruining the game. Plain and simple. Kirk tries to get out the way, then dives back in to tag the runner, he’s called for the plate block anyway. Umpires don’t even call it in real time because they’re not even used to it.

[@wesleyhobbs9]

I agree 100% with Tyler Reddick. This crap is ruining the game. I’ve said it many times now, it’s almost every single night or day there’s a game that is slowed down and affected by this ridiculous rule. In the past they never had this rule and the game was fine. There will always be injuries that happen here and there and there will always be collisions! it’s called sports people. This world is way too soft and it’s becoming softer every single day, it’s not meant to be that soft, it’s not ballet dancers out there, it’s baseball players and athletes that are supposed to be physical!!! Things will always happen, if they continue making all these ridiculous rules for every little thing, nobody will even want to play anymore! They act like if a player even has a headache out there, they need to make up a new rule to prevent headaches. It’s becoming the thing in all of the country in all the world. You can’t say anything to anybody you can’t expect anybody to work hard or do anything because you’re too soft to say anything to people. What a freaking joke. Now sports are becoming that way more and more every day. Absolute joke!

[@wesnall6796]

@@wesleyhobbs9 I’ve been saying this since the night Mike Redmon lost his shit and was ejected one of the first times this rule changed the outcome of a game.

[@wesleyhobbs9]

@@wesnall6796 Thanks for the reply. I remember that game well, and I cannot blame the fans or the managers for being upset with this ridiculous rule. However now teams are starting to use it to their advantage and it is gotten out of hand. It’s getting to the point where it’s ridiculous. Major-league baseball needs to pull their head out of there you know what and figure things out. Are used to love watching baseball growing up in the 80s into the 90s and 2000s but I have lost almost all interest now. I rarely watch baseball at all, mainly because of crap like this. Sports in general is just getting ridiculous.

[@jeremydyar7566]

It's not ruining the game, Kirk just doesn't know how to do it yet. The Yankee catchers do it perfectly. You just have to learn how to do it.

[@jfejapan2829]

This does not feel like a good application of the rule, since the path to plate wasn't ever really blocked. In fact, the catcher winds up on the other side of the plate and reaches back to tag the runner. However, I wonder if the same person was in the replay booth as the one in Minnesota the other day. If they're gonna call it against Toronto on that one, then they probably thought they should call it in favor of Toronto on this one. Or there may have been a very big argument with even more ejections.

[@cushmfg]

Only positive I see is at least they’re enforcing this repeatedly and not doing half of them one way half of them the other way. Either way it’s stupid and needs to be fixed this winter. Cannot have another season like this.

[@JimmyWeberfromtexas]

I really appreciate your analysis and commentary.

[@michaelchung1526]

We were debating this on a Jays fan site. I was the only one who pointed out that Kirk did indeed block the path of the runner without the ball. The comment attached to the rule says that the catcher must in the Umpire's judgement hinder the runner's path as well. That was debated endlessly. I pointed out that Rutschman had to bail to the fair side of the chalk to avoid a collision so in my mind that is hindering. Few agreed.

[@lewf5685]

They really need to look at the rule. Thanks for the video.

[@JordanG123]

Great content!!!

[@ronpeacock9939]

I agree.. I'm no fan of this rule.. even worse because the ball arrived BEFORE the runner even got to the circle... yuck.. all to protect a catcher who didn't know how to do his job.. though I do agree with the part of the rule about not blowing up a catcher who's NOT in the basepath...

[@rc24caldwell19]

I saw an article the other day that talked about when new rules, which make sense for what they are trying to accomplish, end up having "unintended consequences". This rule is the epitome of that concept....and they need to absolutely either scrap it completely, or at least significantly alter it. This rule is ruining one of the more exciting plays in baseball, and is turning things into a joke.

[@bobcarp1239]

Ridiculous! Absolutely Ridiculous! What the hell is going on out there! Exciting play at the plate, throws right there.... he's able to slide straight into the plate.... dude's out. I just thank GOD John MacGraw isn't around to see this..... ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

[@edalovrich]

I know the popular position is to hate this rule. However, there is a (fairly) easy way for catchers to stay in compliance with the requirements: straddle the plate and not the line until the throw pulls you forward (this is similar to how a SS would take the throw from C on a steal). This gives the runner the leading edge of the plate without obstruction and the tag can be made by simply dropping the glove down in front of the runner

[@linollieum3742]

True but I guess it's instinct for catchers to have home plate as a starting point, and also on throws from left, they'll want to be headed a little up the line so that the throw reaches them sooner. You're specifically taught not to sit behind the plate and let the throw die on the grass and roll to you. You can get up a couple steps, field the ball sooner, and still be in range to tag the runner safely as he goes by. Having catchers sit and wait on the ball and then dive forward/down for a tag seems like it could cause injuries.

[@route99]

The purpose of this rule is to prevent the kind of home plate collisions that damaged Buster Posey's career. Can anyone argue that the runner could change their path to the plate by that last bounce of the ball? The play's behind him, maybe he sees the last bounce a second before he's at home plate. Completely unrealistic.

[@zacharylemire4523]

Just curious, why did u make the point to say "are" rather than what they said "is"? Did it matter for the ruling or was it more just informational? around the 1:40 mark

[@mikek6658]

Is the commissioner going to do anything to fix this. It's a complete overreaction to the Posey injury. It wasn't an issue for 80 years until Manfred took over

[@shawnfenton9718]

Thanks 😊

[@camberweller]

I think that you are correct when you say that it is difficult to determine how a catcher can obey: the rule is a classic example of desk men making rules for the field men. IIRC there is an interpretation concept in American law which strikes down a criminal law if it is unclear how the citizen could actually obey it. This seems to be the more peaceful and happy version of that problem.

[@bernier42]

Make every play at the plate a force play, no matter how many runners are on base. No need for a tag, no need to get in anyone’s way, no collisions, no ambiguity. (I don’t actually like this idea. But it would end these gong shows we keep seeing.)

[@JPINFV]

I've said it on another video and I'll repeat it... What they need is a running lane similar to the 1st base running lane, so that there's a defined "stay out" zone for the catcher. It'll make it more objective for the umpire to call.

[@mbdg6810]

Exactly.

[@linollieum3742]

The problem is that runners like to take wide turns around 3rd often, or slide to the outside or inside of the plate to get around the tag. If you box the runner into a lane, and the catcher out of it, it would make some really weird plays, with the catcher not able to catch perfect throws from the outfield that go into the lane, especially on throws from left field that usually will be coming more or less straight down the foul line. And the umpire would have to watch the runner's feet and the catcher's feet simultaneously to make sure they're both in their lanes, and watching to make sure the catcher catches the ball and applies a tag, all within a very fast split second play at the plate. It would be too complicated and problem inducing to add that I think. The runner's lane to first is simple. Run in it or if the throw bounces off you you'll be out. It's harder on a play with so many factors such as this with a catcher trying to catch throws that are going into the running lane and needing to get to the runner to tag them out in the runners lane, compared to first base where the fielder just stands on the edge of the base and catches the throw. I think that MLB just needs to change the rule so that it's more results focused. It doesn't matter if the catcher is standing over the plate when the runner's only halfway to home like in these recent calls. If like in this clip, he entirely vacates the plate by the time the runner's coming to get out of his way, I think that is safety focused enough that it shouldn't be punished.

[@visarr]

It seems that foul territory is the defined stay out zone. I haven't seen all the plays, but if the catcher stays in fair territory, they haven't called blocking.

[@voxelation]

There are two easy lanes for the catcher already that comply with the rule: 1: stay in front of home plate and don't cross the third base line unless you have the ball, or 2: stay behind home plate and don't cross the third base line. The first option allows the outside lane. The second option allows the inside lane. Either complies with the rule. Even better, have possession of the ball before you block the plate. Then you never have a plate blocking violation!

[@oaker55]

Even that rule is confusing at best. In this case, I think they have to look at did the runner have to try to avoid the catcher to score? In this case, the runner never deviated from his line to the plate and the catcher was not in the way when the runner arrived at the plate. To call blocking in this case is confusing at best.

[@jamesoliver6625]

I've got a kid in youth ball who is a really good catcher. He's coached to set up in fair with his left foot on the 3B corner of the plate and to have his helmet somewhere in deep foul territory. Because this kid has a superior glove/mitt (he also plays third and pitches) he's personally coached to wait until he's caught the ball before he moves and depend on his backup to play off line throws. He's really quick and so has an out rate of ~50% giving the back half of the plate as a lane. We have other kids that are lucky to get 1 in 5.

[@darinlegore284]

by the way, this keeps being referred to as a "Catcher Illegal Blocking"? Isn't this actually OBSTRUCTION and an 'award' of home plate? Thus, is this delayed dead ball, dead ball and/or what about other runner's not affected by play at plate? This is NOT the way we were taught in 1990's & 2000's as to how this rule is applied.

[@LarrySkylines]

You really should do another video on the blocking the plate replay review from the Phillies/Marlins game last night. I am a Phillies fan and I don't know how the Phils got that overturned. Neither did Kruk.

[@chesterthompson6835]

Why does every throw now seem to take the catcher up the 3rd base line no matter where it comes from? He's blocking the whole damn time. The runners already committed to the slide before the catcher has the ball.

[@betadatadigitaljohn312]

The catcher can no longer play the ball as it's delivered. Such a liability if you're guarding the dish.

[@jchazchastain4345]

2 things here. First, the runner is safe. Foot got in before tag on thigh/hip. Second, where is the catcher going to set up. The runner was outside the lane. Then crossed over to the inside. Which lane does the runner get?

[@quakers200]

No rule can be made so perfect, especially something like blocking that it is always fair. This is how I see it. The runner does not see where the ball is as it s being thrown home. He also can not anticipate that the catcher will move at the last moment or in what direction. If the runner decided that the catcher was going to move in front of the plate then the runner would slide behind the base and in this case it would have created a collision. Allowing the catcher to block the plate until the last second is dangerous as is the catcher moving from one side of the runners path to the other. This is kind of a nightmare for the catcher that must keep track of the plate, the line, the runner and the ball all at the same time. I guess the catcher should just set up in front of the plate and hope the throw does not go behind the plate.

[@tylervandewater1372]

So maybe this is a stupid question but in all these videos the home plate umpires are calling the runners out. Are they supposed to be looking for this violation or are they just leaving it up to replay everytime?

[@voxelation]

MLB umpires have been instructed to leave plate blocking violation calls to replay.

[@TimRedman]

The only reason I see this being blocking is due to the throw itself. The catcher is allowed to be in what would be a blocking position if the process of the catch led him to that position. But if you follow the throw, he was right in front of the plate most of the time, until the ball got there and he had to move to his left to field it. So maybe the interpretation was he should have been standing in that position to begin with in order to field the ball, which would have given the runner a valid path on the inside of the painted baseline. Disclaimer: armchair umpire; YMMV

[@paulalstrom4144]

As an Umpire, I absolutely do not like calling this.

[@deansapp4635]

As a Orioles fan, This is total BULLSHIT. Adley was out by 8 or 10 feet

[@matthewnickerson3991]

I'm a Baltimore Orioles fan but this call is stupid. The catcher has a hard enough job as it is now they can't even stand in front of the plate while the runner is halfway up the line. The catcher git the ball well before Adley slid. It just punishes the catcher while the rule was made to protect the catcher.

[@robertahaakjr]

Looks like the catcher does everything he can to get the ball and get out for the way to provide the runner with a clear path to the plate.

[@metzilla]

MLB needs to do something about this ......... yes, he was IN FRONT of the plate for a moment, but he wasn't IMPEDING the runner at that point ..this is just ... bad ... bad optics....it needs to be refined for sure

[@rogercabezas1397]

Respectfully, I disagree. How can anyone say Kirk blocked the plate when Ruschman literally slid right through it? The throw took him to where he caught it and then he scootched over to give the runner a sliding lane. This is NOT blocking the plate and the league has lost all credibility

[@freezer8530]

Well, if it's any consolation, I believe that the runner managed to touch the plate just before being tagged by the catcher, despite the blocking violation that occurred.

[@patrickmohr2999]

Disregarding the rule, I think this is how a modern play at the plate should look like. Kirk never actively hinders Rutschman from scoring. If Rutschman were to slide into him while Kirk didn’t have the ball you call obstruction and if the slide is excessive you punish accordingly. If “in the act of fielding” is now a judgement of when ,it makes the catchers job a whole lot harder. I think this is how the rule should be (adjusted).

[@elterrifico9522]

Are you a Toronto based channel?

[@linollieum3742]

She's US based.

[@DJ2YTonly]

I think the person doing this video is in Anaheim or something, but not sure where the other people on the channel are based out of.

[@PlatinumHowler]

Yeaaaaaah… I’ve been in favour of this rule up until seeing this play. Nobody understands how to enforce it properly, just trash it already

[@Ben-go7ix]

Anybody else notice that the second base ump stopped Odor from coming off the base by leaving his leg in the way. He would have over slid by at least a foot.

[@perrytilton5221]

I don't know why, but every other base play where it's not a force play into the bag the fielder is either straddling or in front of the bag not in the way of the running path. IMO they should let the catcher get mowed if they choose to block and get punished for blocking the plate.

[@britwit8734]

They need to bring back collisions!!!! That’s the only way to handle these bs calls u can’t put rules on timing sometimes there’s literally nothing els too do but have a collision at home plate

[@noah509]

It's a difficult situation. I don't hate this rule, but there needs to be a little bit of leeway. It seems to almost punish plays at the plate if the throw to home plate was perfect.

[@freezer8530]

A perfect throw to the catcher is one that would NOT drift the catcher into the runner's path towards the plate.

[@priceright8963]

@@freezer8530 Because throwing at a target from 250 feet in the outfield is so easy. Try it yourself.

[@freezer8530]

@@priceright8963 Those guys are professionals. I'm not. In fact, I'll admit that I cannot even hit a target from 60 feet 6 inches away.

[@lgsg65]

0:06 It looks like the Toronto center fielder subscribes to the Bob Uecker school of catching a knuckleball. Wait until it stops rolling then walk over and pick it up.

[@mr.t1941]

0:18 The mits string hit odors beard. He's out

[@EJayMD-11]

The annoying part is, when the runner actually began the slide, he had a clear path. His path was "blocked" but it had no affect on the runner at all.

[@donh6416]

MLB is attempting to undo accepted catcher mechanics in a very short time period. Is the MiLB leagues observing the same interpretation? HP umpires for what ever reason should be able to call "blocking the plate" as part of the action he is watching. Seems like it's obvious but is being deferred until a challenge is made.

[@jayseaborg3895]

Rutschman beat the tag anyway, watch the replay. Kirk tagged him after his left spike touched the plate. That said, this rule needs some serious tweaking. I've never understood why the catcher was allowed to block the base but no other fielder is allowed to do the same on plays at second or third. Just treat all of the bases the same way.

[@ScallopHolden]

The Baltimore Orioles are challenging the play. Baltimore are challenging the play

[@linollieum3742]

I think it's all about perspective of how you're viewing it. Maybe it's strictly right but I disagree with Lindsay on this one. In this case Baltimore is more of a shorthand way of saying "Baltimore Orioles". And you can't say "The Baltimore Orioles is here." You can say "Baltimore is here," but with sports that still implies a plural group of players. It's not the whole city that's there. If the announcer said "Baltimore is running out onto the field," while watching nine separate individual players run out, maybe it could technically be correct from the perspective of Baltimore being a singular organization/group, but I'd consider that dehumanizing. He's not referring to Baltimore the city, or Baltimore the singular sports organization playing baseball, an organization can't run, it's an abstract administrative concept. He's referring to the Baltimore Orioles, which could be viewed again as a singular sports organization, or as a plural collective of players and coaches. If I think of a specific sports team, I'm not viewing it as an "it". It's a them. Multiple people with different viewpoints and positions at the top, managing coaches, players, who are all individuals swapping teams. No one goes "IT WON THE WORLD SERIES" when the organization wins. Because there's a plural human element that's far more important. "THEY won the world series." Which makes them a plural, which means they are doing things. Not is.

[@RangerBeef]

The only thing I'm learning from seeing all these is that the catchers need to set up in foul territory. Give the runner fair territory completely and you've got a better chance to field, since you'll likely end up foul to make the catch anyway, and force the runner to slide in front of you for the tag. I don't like it, but it's all I'm seeing, catcher sets up in fair territory, they're forced into foul territory to field, plate block. The rule says they need a lane, so give them fair territory so you can actually play too.

[@vw8886]

The runner was 45ft away when the "blocking" occurred. Nothing MLB can do midseason but this needs to be changed.

[@shelleyking8450]

These umps are hopeless, he opened a lane before the runner got there by mo:in behind the plate. I could see that even before the replay.

[@stevebabiak6997]

If they don’t want contact at the plate, then there can no longer be tagging because tagging is contact. So as long as they have stupid rules, maybe the new stupid rule should be runners that approach home plate are forced out by the catcher catching the ball with part of their body touching the plate before the runner touches the plate. It’s a stupid rule, but that’s what we have come to - stupid rules that ruin what should otherwise have been a good defensive play.

[@nicolasdaoust28]

Yeah I think its going the end up like this, it will be like a play at first. The runner will need to beat the throw to the bag and once he rounds third, he cant go back to third.. Its sad.

[@MaydayAggro]

Catchers in every other level of baseball deal with a harsher form of this rule. If amateurs can deal with it, pros can.

[@MystiqWisdom]

This is the worst officiating crew I've personally seen in a long time, all around, not just one ump.

[@Quidproxo]

That just has to be an out.

[@ardanburton]

Just so we are clear. There is no problem with the rule. The problem is with people (umpiring review crew) just straight up applying it incorrectly. What's even more frustrating is that they came out and blamed catchers for their misapplication

[@JoshSmith-pb8rw]

The runner was safe regardless of the block. Replay showed he touched the plate before the tag. The Blue Jays stand in coach should’ve been thrown out of the game for coming out and challenging the umpire, if we’re being consistent.

[@MrQuaiven]

I think the way to fix it is to have the catcher always post behind the plate.

[@yokosmoko]

I need a jomboy/close call cross over

[@Pathfinder76]

Kirk gave him the ENTIRE lane. How in the world is that not evident

[@voxelation]

Kirk is straddling the third base line. That means Kirk gave the runner no lane.

[@stephenkasper6081]

I think he does use good fundamentals to receive the ball; but because he doesn't meet the ball to catch it, the VAR sees him a passively occupying the runner's lane. I think it's the wrong call, but the best clarification would be to make ball possession conditional with start of runner's slide

[@garrettmitchell4627]

The rule itself is awful and detracts from the spirit of the game. Furthermore, this application of the rule on this play was downright embarrassing. The catcher was in the runner's path INITIALLY but the ball is halfway to him and descending. He has to position himself to make a play. Now watch what happens when the catcher fields the ball. He slides over to his left and totally and completely vacated the plate before the runner truly begins his slide. Ergo, the runner absolutely had a lane to the plate which negates the application of the rule itself. The umpires are hamstrung by the rule but called it right on the field. The replay officials in NY botched this horribly.

[@MrGoldman2323]

This rule is really getting old.

[@critter2]

They asked for it so this what happens

[@lanem4304]

Again, to fix this rule, make it a rule that is NOT reviewable; how on earth can a 3rd party who is not even on the field determine if there is obstruction or interference on any play? If the on-field umpires do not determine it was obstruction, then why is an off-field authority over-riding it?

[@bigpoppa1234]

The umpires aren't calling it (which forces teams to call for reviews) so without it being called (because there's no review and the umpires won't call it) the catchers will just go back to blocking the plate, leading to an inevitable injury which is the entire reason this rule exists.

[@leam89]

Yeah this call is lame. The runner had a clear path to the plate. Whether he blocked the path long before the runner was at the plate is irrelevant

[@M747022]

This is the worst rule in any sport ever

[@tchevrier]

I don't agree with that call. The catcher had to cross in front of the plate to catch the ball.

[@kerrytodd3753]

I think he mighta been safe anyways……

[@theburnetts]

It seems silly to say that Kirk was somehow blocking Rutschman. Yes I understand that according to today's MLB rules this was a blocking violation. But I think that something needs to change to take in to account the speed of the runner and how far away he is from home. If you stop the video at 2:04 you will see that Kirk is clearly blocking the plate but look how far Rutschman is from home! He's probably 45 feet away from home! How is Kirk blocking him? The catcher's position doesn't really become a factor until the runner is closer to home plate. This is a mess of a rule because MLB is trying so hard to legislate away any possible contact. Maybe tag plays at the plate need to just be removed completely. Make all tag plays at home plate different...I know this will sound really weird but give it a second. Add a line to the field about 5 feet from home plate that crosses perpendicular to the third base line. On a potential traditional tag play at home instead of tagging the runner the catcher simply has to catch the ball and touch home plate before the runner crosses this line 5 feet from the plate. If the runner crosses the line before the catcher has the ball and touches home plate then the runner is safe. I know it sounds dumb but if the goal is to eliminate collisions at home plate then this is one way that is a little more objective.

[@arleyhaskell7241]

the argument from the league is even that far away if the player has to adjust speed or change movement because your standing there, you have obstructed. Needs a better rule definition or a defined place to stand

[@theburnetts]

@@davej3781 ha ha. I know. Just trying to think of other ways to avoid collisions at the plate

[@almostfm]

@@arleyhaskell7241 "the argument from the league is even that far away if the player has to adjust speed or change movement because your standing there, you have obstructed." I know that's what the league is saying. But it's damned stupid. How far away can a runner be and still be "obstructed"? Is he obstructed on his first step between third and home? The problem is that the rule is vague, _and_ its enforcement is arbitrary. A catcher has to guess what the league thinks "blocking the plate" entails, and it's different every time. A runner can't be expected to adjust his line 20 feet from the plate, but the catcher can magically move six feet to his left in an instant to take a throw that he knows is going to end up on the foul side of the line.

[@theburnetts]

@@davej3781 ha ha. It’s all good. I’ve learned not to let internet comments get me angry. 👍😁

[@darrinthorpe9292]

Plate blocking is going to ruin MLB.

[@priceright8963]

Going to? It has.

[@alonzobean1]

To make the game safer? How many plays at the plate each year compared to how many injuries. Do the research all the way back to 1940 to get real data and give us the numbers . If below 3% remove the rule.

[@mptr1783]

What was MLB trying to accomplish with this rule? Seriously? Crashing into catchers? If so, just make a new rule: "If you crash a catcher, youre ejected and suspended without pay for 10 games". You think that would solve the problem? I do

[@mptr1783]

Also, I froze this video and it looked like the tag at the plate was late...........just sayin

[@bigpoppa1234]

The MLB wasn't trying to accomplish anything, it was the owners not wanting a catcher or batter getting their legs snapped in half because there was a sliding collision at home plate and they got tangled up.

[@mptr1783]

@@bigpoppa1234 yeah, well its not working. My proposal would accomplish the same and allow exciting plays at the plate to still happen

[@shawncreedon8459]

Fascinating that the poster gets into a grammar lesson, yet, while claiming to be quoting the MLB rule, is changing “he” to “they” throughout. First, if you are quoting the rule book, quote the rule book as actually written, not as your wokeness dictates you would like it written. Second, when you make your change, perhaps be mindful of your own grammar - a singular runner cannot be referred to as “they”, ever, but particularly in the same post in which you purport to give a grammar lesson.

[@mikephalen3162]

This rule is terrible.

[@darkarima]

If you want a simple interpretation: Stop *setting up* blocking the lane. If they block the lane for a small fraction of a second as they cross it, well and good. When they deliberately stand across it, sometimes laying every part of their body that can get horizontal down across it, to block it for multiple seconds - or like here, slowly crab-walk with their legs spread as far apart as possible - they're still trying to pull the stunts they were previously being allowed to. (And if you ask me, MLB bears a lot of blame for letting that behavior go on so long.)

[@RealHexJoker]

this rule ruined baseball

[@patt6961]

WRONG!

[@TheDjcarter1966]

ITS IS SIMPLE STOP BLOCKING THE PLATE!! I think maybe next year in the offseason catchers will really start working on this, pretend the third base line is a wall going all the way down through the plate you stay IN FRONT of the wall until you have the ball. If you have to go through the wall you must now stay on the other side of the wall BEHIND the line and plate until you have the ball. I think MLB office at NY is making it REALLY easy to understand it is just that habits are hard to break and this is the process we are going through to BREAK these habits.

[@Jrose11]

Nah the rule is the dumbest thing. He didn't block the plate, he set up in a position that *could* have blocked the plate, then moved out of the way to give the runner a lane. The OPPOSITE of obstruction, it's just umpires and the MLB (not sure which) trying to insert themselves into the game and it sucks and isn't helping catchers or anyone. It's baseball's version foot in the crease rule.

[@alexjamesbaker]

But then you have a play like this where the act of catching the ball takes you across the third base line and it isn't so simple anymore. The ruke is broken, even though the throw beat the runner by 15 feet the only legal way to make the play is to make a diving grab at the last second done in a way that never blocks the lane to the plate.

[@mbdg6810]

Define a LANE. He has one here.

[@linollieum3742]

I can see that as maybe the goal, it's just hard to know from the outside since MLB have never said what the rule actually is now, which is dumb. At least let the fans know and understand the rule and what the goal of it is.

[@priceright8963]

How much catching experience do you have? I'm curious.

[@micahsilverman5284]

This call was crazy. Kirk wasn't even in the runners way! He just happened to be on the wrong side of the foul line, and so on a technicality he committed a violation. But clearly Kirk gave a runner lane to the runner.

[@texascard]

First lol

[@brianschulman2641]

Because that’s what matters… Very mature

[@texascard]

@@brianschulman2641 yes sir

[@JPINFV]

@@brianschulman2641 Welcome to the internets.

[@mbdg6810]

@@brianschulman2641 because complaining about that is what matters. Very mature

[@brianschulman2641]

@@mbdg6810 Who’s complaining? You’re the only one bringing up complaining.

[@thomasnaeger8960]

Thanks for acknowledging what really changed this year. It wasn't the rule it was the interpretation of the rule. Given that it's always replay where this comes from I'm suspicious that it a non umpire administrator, just my gut. Here is the real question for MLB. Where are all the injuries from all these violations? That is your best indication that the interpretation is wrong. My suggestion, define a throw I'm the rulebook. Make it what we all think it is, beginning when the ball is released. No until it bounces or in infield. You can tell early on a long throw if it is on line or not. Also this is why overzealous people should not be promoted. Especially over pronouns. Please, we come to sport to escape such debates....

[@legalizeweed3830]

Bad call.

[@rubydad8127]

Dogshit rule. Buster is out of the game, so just change it.

[@jeremydyar7566]

Hey don't miss-pronoun Toronto, if Toronto wants to go by Their/are, they'll go by their/are

[@deansapp4635]

If this game gets anymore woke, Im gone