If the pitcher is forced to cover home, and a runner is coming in from 3rd, will he barrel into the pitcher just like he would the catcher? If not, why not?
Furthermore, why do collisions only ever happen at home plate? Why not when the runner is caught in a rundown between bases?
What I'm wondering is, is there an unwritten rule that basically says it's acceptable to plow into the catcher. I get the impression that if you plowed into a pitcher, there'd be hell to pay, but with a catcher it's ok. But a catcher's gear is meant to stop a small baseball, not a 200 lb baserunner. So I'm curious what the official and/or unwritten logic is.
2007-12-19 13:05:23 · 7 answers · asked by Lateralus 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Thanks for the responses so far -- but please explain why a catcher's padding makes it ok? His padding is meant to stop a baseball, not a 200 lb baserunner coming in at full speed. It's not football gear..
2007-12-19 13:15:39 · update #1
The one difference is that the catcher (or any player who happens to be covering home) is allowed to block the plate. Players are not allowed to block the bases; it's considered interference.
And I'd imagine a pitcher trying to cover home plate may get run over from time to time. If he's blocking the plate, that's the chance he takes.
Again, to answer your update, the catcher is allowed to block the plate, as long as he has a reasonable expectation that the ball is headed his way.
2007-12-19 13:16:49 · answer #1 · answered by Rick K 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's an unwritten rule to not roll the pitcher at home. Not saying it doesn't happen, but when it does the runner will most surely be getting some retribution in his next at bat(s).
Running the catcher over is a different story, he has full pads on.
EDIT: Rick - any player can be in the baseline, "blocking" the base, as long as he's in the process of fielding the ball. He may not stand in the baseline while he is in possession of the ball however, while the catcher can.
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2007-12-19 21:09:57 · answer #2 · answered by Kris 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Done it, my friend -- and I was the pitcher. Wild pitch, runner on third, I'm sprinting for home. Catcher grabs the ball, fires it at me -- ball, runner, and I all arrive in same place at same time. Wish I had video of that one!
Oh yeah, I caught the ball and tagged the runner out. In the air. Really.
I also plowed into a few catchers in my day -- sometimes successfully, sometimes not. One of 'em was a little bitty guy that still hung on to the ball. Tough kid.
2007-12-19 23:22:57 · answer #3 · answered by herfinator 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any pitcher that has been around the game for awhile knows how to get out of the way of the runner. I can't ever remember seeing a base runner going after a pitcher while running the bases and trying to take him out. Not to say that it has never happened but it has to be very rare.
2007-12-19 21:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure... But in 1990 Pitcher Norm Charlton collided with the catcher at the plate...
2007-12-19 21:07:36 · answer #5 · answered by Reduviidae 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a pticher really doesn't "block" the plate it would be very rare if you saw this but a guy like Livan Hernandez might take advantage of their size and bust up a guy like Juan Pierre but it is highly unlikely
2007-12-19 21:09:24 · answer #6 · answered by feralad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most likely not. but it is possible.
2007-12-19 21:08:57 · answer #7 · answered by pinkflamingo806 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋