MLB Umpires Association, adamant that crews are simply upholding rule, address home-plate collision rule in statement

CHICAGO — The Major League Baseball Umpires Association released a tersely worded statement Wednesday regarding the criticism umpires are receiving due to the home-plate collision rule.

The rule has been a topic around the game after multiple video reviews have resulted in overturned out calls at home plate recently, including in Tuesday's game between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers.

The statement, obtained by ESPN on Wednesday, said that «it is the catcher's responsibility not to position himself so as to block home plate without the ball.

»This rule change was adopted after Buster Posey was involved in a home plate collision and suffered a severe leg injury. The Players Association and the owners decided to protect their key assets (players) and adopted the home plate collision rule that players are now complaining about."

The umpires contend they are simply upholding the rule that's on the books, one that the league sent a memo to teams about earlier this month. The memo came with illustrations and reminders about how and where a catcher can and cannot set up as he receives the ball from a fielder.

«It's simple: don't block home plate without possession of the baseball or change the rule,» the umpire's statement said.

The latest on-field controversy occurred in the top of the first inning on Tuesday in Cleveland. Guardians catcher Austin Hedges caught a throw from shortstop Tyler Freeman as Javier Baez slid home. Baez was called out, but video review overturned the call, indicating the «catcher did not give the runner a lane.» The Tigers scored three runs in the inning, going on to beat the first place Guardians, 4-3.

«First of all, it cost the game,» Hedges said after the loss. «It's a play that's been