Joe Torre Says MLB Might Act To Prevent Plate Collisions
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Joe Torre says momentum is gaining toward taking action that would help prevent collisions at home plate.
Speaking Tuesday after a meeting of big league general managers, Torre said a written proposal will be developed that will be discussed at the winter meetings next month.
"When it gets to the rules committee, you're going to have very understanding people there, a feeling that something has to be done," he said. "The players are bigger, stronger, faster. It's like in other sports. They've made adjustments and rules in other sports for that reason, to protect people."
It remains too early to determine exactly what the proposal would be and it isn't clear whether a rules change could be made for the 2014 season.
"It's something you can't ignore. We've got to find a way," Torre said.
Discussion to limit or ban collisions has intensified since May 2011, when San Francisco catcher Buster Posey was injured in a collision with Florida's Scott Cousins. Posey, an All-Star catcher, sustained a broken bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle, an injury that ended his season.
Posey returned to win the NL batting title and MVP award in 2012, when he led the Giants to their second World Series title in three seasons.
Torre said he will get together at the winter meetings next month with San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy and St. Louis skipper Mike Matheny, who retired as a player after the 2006 season because of a concussion.
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