[Mr. Mojo]

Barreling into a catcher adds nothing to the game of baseball. ....It never really hit home until now, but it's the only element of contact in a non-contact sport.

Not quite. Baserunners routinely barrel into 2nd basemen and/or shortstops in hopes of breaking up double plays. And pitchers have been throwing 90+ mph fastballs into the sides (and occasionally the heads) of batters since the game began.

[Mariner]

Yes, Baseball IS a contact sport and always has been.

And a dangerous sport to boot.

[jwalsh07]

Not quite. Baserunners routinely barrel into 2nd basemen and/or shortstops in hopes of breaking up double plays. And pitchers have been throwing 90+ mph fastballs into the sides (and occasionally the heads) of batters since the game began.

:-}