When the "Buster Posey" rules for home-plate collisions were introduced, there was much confusion. It took players, coaches, umpires and fans some time to digest just how this would all work. Now, we are more than a year into the new rules and some are still having a problem understanding them.
The Mets found themselves on the wrong end of a challenged play Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. Anthony Recker blocked home plate on a play involving A.J. Pierzynski. Originally ruled out, the Braves challenged the play and Pierzynski was ruled safe.
Here's a still photo of the play:
And here's Mets manager Terry Collins' reaction via Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com:
I almost don't believe Collins here. Did he really think that the space between Recker's legs constituted leaving a clear path to home plate for the runner? If he did really believe that to be the case, I'm wondering how wide a catcher's legs would have to be spread to not be considered blocking home plate. 18 inches? 24? The width of a baseball cleat?
This portion of Rule 7.13 is pretty clear:
Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is 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.
With more than a year of this rule under our belt we should all know how this works. Here's my primer from last year that I believe should clear up any remaining confusion.
