Should they Ban the Home Plate Collision in MLB?

Last Season when Buster Posey of the San Fransisco Giants was hit hard trying to block home plate from the runner. Many critics were arguing about the brutality of the home plate collision. Scott Cousins of the Florida Marlins was rounding third base and everyone in the stadium knew it was going to be a close play at the plate. The ball arrived just in time to nail the runner, but Cousins lowered his shoulder and planted it right into Posey's chest.

The fans in the stands even felt the hit as you could hear the awgh's all around the stadium. Cousins flattened Posey as he layed on the plate in agony. With Cousins scoring the tying run, the Marlins ended up winning the game 7-6 in 12 innings. For the Giants it was more then just a loss, they lost their most valuable player. Buster Posey was the rookie of the year in the National League in 2010. He was the glue that held the Giants together and with his injury, he would be out for 8-12 weeks.

This was by far one of the biggest hits in baseball in a long time. It was felt by fans all over the United States, not just San Fransisco. Scott Cousins was recieving death threats and was in fear for his family's well being. After the game Cousins showed remorse for the hit on Posey and said he showed concern after the hit. "I lunged over him to make sure he was alright, but I could see he was in a lot of pain." This is what happens in baseball when there is a close play at the plate.

Some fans believed that it was a cheap shot, because Posey was in a defenseless position. They thought that Cousins should of slid in that situation. In that moment, Cousins was thinking of one thing and one thing only. Tie the game, he wasn't thinking of hurting Posey intentionally. You have a split second to make a decision in those situations and Cousins made one.

Unfortunately, for Posey the hit caused him to sustain a fracture of the fibula and he tore three ankle ligaments. The injury would require two surgical procedures in order to repair his ankle. Giants officials are still motioning for the rule change that would protect catcher's in home plate collisions.

However, Joe Torre the vice president of on-field baseball operations is in favor of keeping the rule how it stands. This has been a rule in Major League Baseball for a long time and just because the Giants star player gets hurt we have to change it. Although, many managers are in favor of this rule being changed. Most managers are advising their cather's to keep the plate open a little to avoid serious injury. So as of today the rule will remain the same and only time will tell if it changes.