Bochy to present case for protecting catchers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Bruce Bochy could be approaching the end of the quest that began forming in his mind more than a decade ago.

The Giants manager will join other Major League skippers and GMs to discuss altering rules to prevent catchers from absorbing head-on collisions.

Bochy's efforts to institute baserunning legislation gained attention after Giants catcher Buster Posey sustained multiple left leg injuries resulting from his May 2011 collision with Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins.

But Bochy actually was moved to action by an April 16, 2003, incident in which Brian Jordan of the Dodgers plowed into Padres catcher Gary Bennett.

"I thought he was paralyzed," said Bochy, who was managing the Padres at the time.

Bochy and St. Louis manager Mike Matheny, both former catchers, will join forces to present the case for action.

"I don't think the catchers are protected as much as they should [be]," Bochy said Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. "As fast as these runners come in ... we're going to try to eliminate any severe injuries -- Mike feels the same way -- whether it's a concussion, a broken ankle."

Bochy believes that most people involved in baseball have a heightened consciousness about home-plate collisions.

"They don't feel that needs to be part of the game anymore," Bochy said. "There have been adjustments everywhere -- football, basketball -- and I think it's time in baseball that we do change the rule and protect these catchers."