Major League Baseball, or the MLB, recently announced an “experimental rule” regarding collisions between base runners and catchers at home plate. This rule is considered experimental because the league will evaluate its success during the season and decide whether or not it should continue. The new rule, 7.13, states ”a 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).” That includes the prohibition of the runner’s lowering of the shoulder, as well as pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms. Sliding into home plate, however will still be allowed. A runner violating the rule will be declared out, even if the fielder happens to drop the ball. The rule also prohibits catchers from blocking the plate without possession of the ball. Changes to the MLB’s 145-year old rulebook are not very common, so when things are altered many different opinions arise.

Calls for a rule change regarding home plate collisions exploded in 2011 after Marlins player Scott Cousins tried to dislodge the ball from the grasp of Giants catcher Buster Posey while coming into home plate. A horrific collision occurred which broke a bone in Posey’s leg, tore three ligaments, and cut his season short.

“I’ve always said that the main thing is for everybody to be comfortable with it, that the catchers and runners are protected,” Posey said.

Players such as Boston Red Sox catcher A.J. Pierznyski disagree with the new rule, believing that collisions are part of the game.

“I disagree with it. It’s one of those things, as a big-league catcher, I signed up for it. You never want to see guys get hurt, and you never want to see guys go down because of it, but it’s part of the game you signed up for. I understand why the rule is made, but I wish there was a better way to go about it,” Pierznyski said.

Others such as Giants manager Bruce Bochy applaud the rule change, believing it is the MLB’s responsibility to protect its players in any way it can.

“I’ve been for it, it’s time for a change. You want to protect the catcher, not just in the majors but the minors. Guys [base runners] are getting bigger and stronger all the time,” Bochy said.

As for enforcing the rule, the MLB announced that umpires will have access to video instant replay, allowing them to confirm whether or not a violation occurred.

“The umpire has the right to eject [a player] from the game if it’s blatant, and he’d be automatically out. Different umpires will view it differently,” MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre said.

The fact that this rule is only here temporarily eases the minds of some fans, however time will only tell whether this new rule will improve the safety of baseball players, or end up causing more problems than it fixes.