and if a catcher didn't want to get crunched, they don't have to block the plate. Fisk learned how to do that after his knee injury, and Varitek made a living out of blocking the plate with that concrete post of a left leg. This s*** didn't need to be legislated. It is part of the game and the players knew how to protect themselves.
BTW, I haven't heard a former or current middle infielder that likes the new rule. Remy doesn't like it.