Are Home Plate Collisions Really That Wrong?

Article first published as Are Home Plate Collisions Really That Wrong? on Technorati.

 http://scm-l3.technorati.com/11/06/07/44581/alg-hinske.jpg?t=20110607172655

I've been reading up on the debate with home plate collisions or "blowing up the catcher" and in my opinion, it's fine. I've seen numerous comparisons of the MLB and the NFL and how football works hard to protect it's stars. To anyone who thinks the NFL is any better about "protecting their players," I suggest you watch some film of LB James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOCBh4L5ABk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BfxMalwza4

(There's plenty more from where that came from)

Now try to tell me that the NFL is protecting its most important position. And to anyone who thinks a catcher is as important to his team as a quarterback is, Think again.
But back to the topic. Catchers know that on any given play when there's a player on second or third, there is the potential for a collision. They are prepared for it. Don't get me wrong I know it's a dangerous play and they are at risk. Even if he's behind the plate, he could get hurt by the ball. So can a hitter who is standing in the batters box. How about pitchers? Look at how close they are to the plate. Let's just put up a fence in front of them so a guy like Roy Halladay doesn't get his leg broken (again). Or should we make the ball foam so it doesn't hurt as much? Point being these guys are men and playing in the Majors requires putting yourself in a bit of danger. Let's not sugar coat the MLB because one guy got hurt.

As for the myth that there's no other collisions allowed on the baseball field, hasn't anyone seen a base runner slide hard into second hoping to break up a double play. Remember in Toronto last year when the Minnesota Twins 1B Justin Morneau slid into SS/2B John McDonald and suffered a concussion. I don't think I heard anyone calling for McDonald to be suspended or saying that "the rule needs to be looked at."

It's a part of the game so that it gives the offensive player a chance at the plate, a chance to score. Just like breaking up a double play can give the team a chance at having someone on base.

People who are defending what Scott Cousins did aren't blood thirsty fans or players who love to watch people get hurt. They see the big picture. Injuries happen and it's a terrible and cold part of the game, especially when it's a young gun like Buster Posey.
But let's be realistic, these collision's are few and far between and the injuries do not happen as often as people would you believe. In my opinion there's not a thing wrong with this part of the game. Let's change something that really does need MLB's attention: the All Star game and the home field advantage fiasco. What a disgrace. But that's for another article.