Baseball becomes contact sport when catcher blocks plate to keep runner from scoring . Mike Downey says the collisions at home plate are thrilling and often memorable . But , he asks , is it worth the possible damage to the catcher 's body ? The answer is yes -- but only if you can see a clear path for runners on base in front of you. From now on , if agreed upon by all , a runner must slide into home plate -- or at the very least try to dodge the catcher and the ball -- rather than plow into him like a steer into a matador . Ray Fosse still feels pain from a collision 43 years ago .
Baseball becomes contact sport when catcher blocks plate to keep runner from scoring . Mike Downey says the collisions at home plate are thrilling and often memorable . But , he asks , is it worth the possible damage to the catcher 's body ? The answer is yes -- but only if you can see a clear path for runners on base in front of you. Ray Fosse still feels pain from a collision 43 years ago .