MLB needs a pitcher headshot rule

[Buster]

One of the more disturbing aspects of the Happ injury is the length of time the play continued after he was hit. Two runs scored, and Jennings ended up on third, while a pitcher may have been in serious distress.

 

The umps basically didn't know what to do.

 

I think MLB should instruct the umps to call play dead immediately upon ball-head contact with the pitcher. A few seconds could be very important if the ball has connected with the windpipe or something critical.

 

I thought it was brutal how that went down.

[o2cui2i]

One of the more disturbing aspects of the Happ injury is the length of time the play continued after he was hit. Two runs scored, and Jennings ended up on third, while a pitcher may have been in serious distress.

 

The umps basically didn't know what to do.

 

I think MLB should instruct the umps to call play dead immediately upon ball-head contact with the pitcher. A few seconds could be very important if the ball has connected with the windpipe or something critical.

 

I thought it was brutal how that went down.

 

all other major sports have rules in place.

[LGBJ29]

Yeah I agree, I dont understand why it cant just be ruled a dead ball, and everyone can advance a base. Like you said, if that ball caught Happ in the wrong spot a few seconds could be the difference between life and death.

[torontofan]

One of the more disturbing aspects of the Happ injury is the length of time the play continued after he was hit. Two runs scored, and Jennings ended up on third, while a pitcher may have been in serious distress.

 

The umps basically didn't know what to do.

 

I think MLB should instruct the umps to call play dead immediately upon ball-head contact with the pitcher. A few seconds could be very important if the ball has connected with the windpipe or something critical.

 

I thought it was brutal how that went down.

 

I agree. Like you stated, seconds can become critical when there is a serious injury involved. One of the things that I couldn't believe when I saw the play is how long it took for play to be stopped to allow the trainer and medical staff onto the field.

[GD]

They really need to clarify the rule on this.

 

I wonder what would have happened if the trainer saw Happ bleeding, and rushed onto the field in the middle of play? Would the play have been dead, then?

[Buster]

They really need to clarify the rule on this.

 

I wonder what would have happened if the trainer saw Happ bleeding, and rushed onto the field in the middle of play? Would the play have been dead, then?

 

That would have created an ugly situation for the MLB...a trainer should ALWAYS put the health of the player above the "product on the field." I think the trainers should have run out onto the field in the middle of the play. The umps aren't medical professionals, and aren't trained to assess the severity of the injury. Can you imagine the controversy if Happ had been hurt, or if there was punitive action taken against a team because the trainer was trying to intervene in a potentially life threatening play?

 

I agree: play called dead, everyone advances a base, the batter takes 1st, and it's not considered an AB.

 

Perhaps MLB is already working on this.

[GD]

That would have created an ugly situation for the MLB...a trainer should ALWAYS put the health of the player above the "product on the field." I think the trainers should have run out onto the field in the middle of the play. The umps aren't medical professionals, and aren't trained to assess the severity of the injury. Can you imagine the controversy if Happ had been hurt, or if there was punitive action taken against a team because the trainer was trying to intervene in a potentially life threatening play?

 

I agree: play called dead, everyone advances a base, the batter takes 1st, and it's not considered an AB.

 

Perhaps MLB is already working on this.

 

Agree on everything, this really isn't something that should be taken lightly.

[jays_fever]

Im actually a lot more upset with Jennings on that play than Yunel. He was already half way to thid by the time the ball hit Happ and just turned third and went home. Bush league IMO but not the worst thing you can do. Jennings saw the whole thing happening and just said F it and sprinted around the bases, would have went all the way home If Jose wasnt paying attention.

[Jeffrey_Paul]

Head rule double?

[KSaw]

If the trainer had run on the field, nothing would happen unless he interfered with the play. The trainer should run on the field if a player looks to be seriously injured. If the play goes on around him, so be it. There have been many plays in baseball that continued when fans had run on the field. Same rule. As long as there is no interference, no big deal. If there is, also no big deal. Umpires would just place runners where they'd be (in the umpires opinion) had the interference not occurred.