Top of the 5th. Max Muncie hit a ground ball baaarely fair over first base. The Diamondbacks' first baseman, Vargas, fielded the ball about 30 feet back (right where the infield and outfield meet), and ran right on the foul line towards 1st base. Max was hauling ass towards first base, and got there a split second before Vargas did. They collided, HARD, and Vargas' head bashed Max right in the face, driving Max's glasses into the bridge of his nose. Both players fell to the ground and stayed there a while. Max was bleeding, and I was worried he might have also re-injured his wrist. Eventually both got up. Max came off the field into the dugout and eventually went down the stairs with a trainer to the clubhouse. Vargas was rubbing his head, and then limped off the field.
Orel Hersheiser noted that it's not often we see a collision like that "anymore" in baseball. Neither Joe Davis nor Orel has said anything about right-of-way. I thought the rule was that the fielder couldn't impede the runner's progress, but Vargas clearly ran directly at the bag and Muncie. (Stupid, as Max is a big, heavy, strong guy!) I don't think Vargas was allowed to be where he was. If the rules allow him to run right at the runner (who WAS in the legal home-to-1B path that hitters are required to stay within), then that rule should be changed.
So for you experts, IS there a rule that should have prevented this collision?
If you weren't watching, you have options: 1) The Dodgers game will be repeated on Spectrum SportsNet LA at 10:30 p.m. 2) I can't imagine ESPN's SportsCenter not showing it. 3) I'm sure all L.A. area news stations will show it on their sports segments later this evening.