FWIW, I think Joe should be our primary catcher, and catch as many games as we can trot him out there for, but is there a better way of stopping a run at the plate than a collision? Is a swipe tag equally or more effective (and safer) than that?

is how I have always been taught to block the plate. Really, I’ve found if you just roll with the hit, I don’t really recall how Posey got hurt, but I wonder if he didn’t really go with the hit. It you don’t, it’s a lot more likely that you are going to break something (well if you trust my coach). Not saying this is all accurate, just what I’ve been told since I was 7.

Is he a pest over there?

I don’t necessarily agree with him, I do think it’s an interesting point.

More often than not, the runner is hurt worse than the catcher. The catcher has gear on. The runner is exposed. The Twins have certainly endured the brunt of those injuries lately (Morneau, Thome, Kubel, Span, etc.) In Span’s case, Bengie Biggie Molina (aka the immovable object) was camped on the pate like the Budha. Span would have had a better chance to run through a brick wall than that.

Hunter’s hit vs. the Sox a few years ago crossed an unwritten line, but he was in the right from a rule book perspective. I think they should make those rules explicit. E.g. “Player should make every effort to avoid collision, unless there is no other alternative in attempting to touch home plate.”

Also, I think teams should voluntarily play it more conservatively in the third base coaching box. The Twins have had three avoidable collision injuries the last two years. Morneau’s lead to 18 months away from the game. It was his second major collision-related injury. Thome wrecked his back just as we were entering the playoffs, rendering him impotent when we most needed him. Span missed much of last year, leading to a severe downgrade at his position.

They could have just sent out a memo to all 31 3B coaches on the other teams

Way easier to do.

But I see you point.

Hopefully not for a few years though.