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PEORIA, Ariz. Britton Colquitt Orange Jersey . -- Joe Torre says Major League Baseballs playing rules committee leaned toward banning all home plate collisions but concluded it would be unrealistic because contact between catchers and baserunners is sometimes unavoidable. Torre, MLBs executive vice-president for baseball operations, spoke Tuesday at San Diegos spring training facility before meeting with representatives from eight clubs training in Arizona. Torre was there to answer questions and address concerns regarding the collision rule, which was announced Monday, and expanded instant replay for umpires. Torre said when it came to the collisions rule, he had to "put the uniform back on" because there is never a perfect play at the plate and throws can make contact unavoidable. Any rule change for 2014 required approval from the players union, which negotiated under new head Tony Clark. "The players association had their concerns, too, based on the fact that catchers ... instincts is telling them to do certain things," Torre said. "Tony Clarks concern was it would have been tough to get them use to a new rule in a short period of time. I think we both agreed on the fact we want to eliminate the vicious hit." MLB could not have implemented the rule this year without approval from the players association. In what both sides said was a one-year experiment, the rule allows collisions if the catcher has the ball and is blocking the runners direct path to home plate, and if the catcher goes into the basepath to field a throw to the plate. 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)." A runner violating the rule shall be declared out, even if the fielder drops the ball. The umpire crew chief can use the new video-review system to determine whether the rule was violated. Torre referenced the hit on Buster Posey that left the NL MVP with broken bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle in a May 2011 collision with the Marlins Scott Cousins. That injury that helped intensify debate over plate collisions. "At the time I talked to Bruce Bochy several times, and I said I dont see anything we can change," Torre explained. Well, over the last couple of years Ive gotten letters from parents who have kids in the minor leagues, and weve seen some vicious hits in the minor leagues, and its got to get your attention." Posey said Tuesday he thought the rule change was positive because it should eliminate worry of a malicious hit. "Ive always said that the main thing is for everybody to be comfortable with it, that the catchers and runners are protected," Posey said. Torre said there is an onus on baserunners to eliminate a mindset of wanting to separate a catcher from the ball. "I think definitely the baserunner has to have a different resolve, so to speak, in rounding third or tagging up from third," Torre said. Terrance Knighton Orange Jersey . -- Vincent Viola grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from West Point, is a former chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange and after the Sept. Peyton Manning Jersey. Barcelona says Pique tore a muscle in his right leg. The Spain international will miss Spanish league games against Almeria and Valladolid, but should be back for the Champions league match against Manchester City on March 12.I like football stadiums; I enjoy areas for athletic competition. I have been fortunate to have played in many at the NCAA level, quite a few at the NFL level, and all of them at the CFL level. Each and every one is different no matter the sport as each one brings a unique energy level. Some are beautiful: the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for example. Some are dangerous: the old Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia comes to mind. Im not sure who designed Investors Group Field, the new home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but I sure get the vibe they did it right. With all due respect to those who had a fondness for Canad Inns Stadium, it was terrible. The upgrade is no different than going from the old Exhibition Stadium to the new – well, not so new anymore – Rogers Centre; there is no comparison. Will it assist the Bombers in winning games? Tough to say; the scientific data on that is abstract at best, but it sure cant hurt. The building will be a great addition to athletics, both professional and college, and something people in Manitoba should be proud of … especially if it keeps every quarterback on the Bombers roster healthy! Its a lot to ask I know, but heres hoping. If Buck Pierce stays upright, Winnipeg will be as good as any team; if he doesnt, they will have tough moments to overcome. Last years team never got into a grove. On offence they finished eighth in points, net offfence, and passing yards, and seventh in second down conversion rate and red zone offence. Britton Colquitt Blue Jersey. They punted the ball more than anyone else and with a defence that regressed from a year ago, it equaled a 6-12 effort. As much as key players make a defence, in Winnipeg coaches Tim Burke, Gary Crowton, Casey Creehan, and Craig Dickenson are a foundation that have to make the right decisions, evaluations, and assessments. They all have CFL experience and education. If the Saskatchewan Roughriders are the “best” fans in the CFL in terms of intensity and loyalty, may I suggest that Winnipeg fans are No. 2. With the new and true home field advantage called Investors Group Field, this team has a new feel of professional football that I did not see previously. Henoc Muamba at MLB is a star; the running back combination of Chad Simpson and Chris Garrett is a great problem; Jonathan Hefney and Alex Suber can regain their spectacular reputation if theyre intensely focused and driven; and a lighter faster Buck Pierce can lead and produce if protected and smart. It has been over 20 years since Winnipeg has won the Grey Cup, but could you imagine if they got there and did it this year? In Regina, Saskatchewan? Bombers fans would travel there, and only if the Roughriders were in the Grey Cup too would Rider fans stay. In an eight-team league, never discount a possibility. cheap jerseys ' ' '