LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball plans to eliminate home plate collisions.

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the rules committee, made the announcement Wednesday at the winter meetings. He said player health and increased awareness of concussions were behind the decision.

Alderson said the exact wording had not been determined.

He said the rule will be given to owners for approval at their January meeting.

Approval of the players' union is needed for the rules change to be effective for 2014. MLB could make the change without union approval for 2015.

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