Kolek planning to go pro
My goodness you guys are soft.
My goodness you guys are soft. Guys have been plunked for the entirety of baseball history. I never remember anyone charging the mound with his bat. First off, he'd never get there. If the benches clear and there's a punch or two, so be it.But here's what Rizzo will do. He'll stiffen to take the pain for a second. Then he'll trot to first base working very hard not to limp. Over. Baseball the way it was always played.Now here's what nobody could condone. You never throw at someone high. Headhunting is never acceptable in the same way as taking your bat to the mound is never acceptable. There are lines. Too bad we seem to be forgetting that in today's culture at large. (Not to go down that rabbit hole.)
It has nothing to do with being "soft." Gimme a break.It has to do with simple logic. The Padres should not be part of the enforcing of the rules. It's not their job. Just because it has "always been done that way," doesn't mean it should be done that way.
Whether Rizzo intended to hurt him is irrelevant. The rule eliminates the need to judge intent. It's simply a matter of whether Rizzo went outside a direct path to the plate in order to initiate contact. Judging by the replays and still photos, it's clear that he was outside the direct path when he collided with Hedges. Hence, he violated the rule.And, fwiw, the rule's intent - beyond protecting defenseless catchers - is to eliminate the need to plunk Rizzo here. Let the league mete out whatever punishment is appropriate and the Padres have no need to seek their own brand of justice.
Official Baseball Rule 7.13 – Collisions at Home PlateA runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). If, in the judgment of the Umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the Umpire shall declare the runner out (even if the player covering home plate loses possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the Umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision.As the replay photo shows, Rizzo clearly is not taking a direct pathway to the plate. He makes contact with Hedges at the top of the batters box, at least two feet above home plate. Had Hedges not been there, Rizzo would have slid and missed home plate. There's no way Rizzo makes contact with the catcher there without deviating from a direct pathway.
The photo is obviously a still shot. Watch the actual replay video. Rizzo does NOT deviate from his path towards home plate. The rule doesn't say that he needs to run directly down the baseline. For whatever reason, Rizzo was running well inside the baseline. Also, look at the attached screenshot and tell me where Rizzo's path to the plate is. Personally, I'm not a fan of home plate collisions but I'm also not a fan of player's giving themselves up in an attempt to score a run.
I'm not suggesting the Padres plunk him, and if that's what you meant by "unwritten rule," then I misunderstood you.And, yes, Rizzo was called out, because Hedges held on to the ball, so there was no need for an immediate call one way or the other on Rule 7.13.
Actually should have been called safe. Ball was never inside of the glove. Only touched the outside.
MLB rules the slide illegal:http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/report-mlb-rules-anthony-rizzos-controversial-slide-illegalBy the way, anyone with any doubts about whether Rizzo deviated to make contact, check out the first GIF included in the link above.
Your screenshot makes the case against Rizzo. At that point, his right foot is right up against the baseline. At the point of contact (my screenshot), his right foot is about 18-24 inches inside the baseline. How did it get there? He clearly swerved further inside, where the catcher just so happened to be.
It got there because he was coming in at an angle directly at the catcher. That was his direct pathway towards home plate.
The first GIF doesn't show anything. Have you seen a clip of him running from third to home at full speed?
Doesn't show anything? So, it's blank GIF?I have not seen a clip of him running from third to home at full speed. Do you have one? Have you forwarded it to MLB?I'm guessing not, but I'm sure it proves Rizzo innocent.