MLB rules committee bans home plate collisions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Home plate collisions would be banned under a proposal adopted Wednesday at baseball's winter meetings, New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson said.

Alderson, chairman of Major League Baseball's Playing Rules Committee, revealed the panel had overwhelmingly approved the ban, which could go into effect in 2014 pending approval of the players, MLB.com reported.

Alderson said reducing concussions and other injuries from the often violent collisions between catchers and baserunners was "part of the impetus for this rule change" and represents an attempt to "change the culture of acceptance that these plays are ordinary and routine and an accepted part of the game."

He indicated the drafting of how the ban would work is still being discussed.

The push to ban such collisions was strongly supported by St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny and Giants Manager Bruce Bochy.

It gained traction when Giants catcher Buster Posey broke a leg and tore knee ligaments during a May 2011 crash with the Marlins' Scott Cousins -- Posey was out for the rest of the season.

ESPN reported the measures under consideration would bar catchers from blocking the plate, thus allowing the runner a clear path to the base. Runners, meanwhile, would be banned from intentionally targeting catchers with hits.