PLAYS AT THE PLATE

Rule 6.01(h)(2) Comment: NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand.

RULE 6.01(i) - Collisions at Home Plate

(1) A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher, or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision. If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out (regardless of whether the catcher maintains possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision. If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner, he shall not be adjudged to have violated Rule 6.01(i).

Rule 6.01(i)(1) Comment: The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner’s lowering of the shoulder, or the runner’s pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of Rule 6.01(i), or otherwise initiated a collision that could have been avoided. A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner’s buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher. In the case of a head first slide, a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately if his body should hit the ground before contact with the catcher. If a catcher blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall not find that the runner initiated an avoidable collision in violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(1).

For most of baseball's existence, players trying to score were allowed to slam into the catcher at full speed, leading to brutal and dangerous collisions. RULE 6.01(i)(1) changes that and simply drives home the fact that a runner trying to score cannot initiate contact with the catcher. It's a common-sense rule and easy to remember.

RULE 6.01(i) - Collisions at Home Plate

(2) Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe. Not withstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder). In addition, a catcher without possession of the ball shall not be adjudged to violate this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the runner could have avoided the collision with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) by sliding.

Rule 6.01(i)(2) Comment: A catcher shall not be deemed to have violated Rule 6.01(i)(2) unless he has both blocked the plate without possession of the ball (or when not in a legitimate attempt to field the throw), and also hindered or impeded the progress of the runner attempting to score. A catcher shall not be deemed to have hindered or impeded the progress of the runner if, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner would have been called out notwithstanding the catcher having blocked the plate. In addition, a catcher should use best efforts to avoid unnecessary and forcible contact while tagging a runner attempting to slide. All references to “the catcher” in this Rule 6.01(i) shall apply equally to other players covering home plate. In addition, Rule 6.01(i)(2) shall not apply to force plays at home plate.

This is a whole bunch of words just to say the catcher cannot obstruct a runner trying to score, similar to every other base. See OBSTRUCTION. Now that catchers know they are protected from the runner initiating contact (throwing an elbow into his chin, for example), they may feel more comfortable standing in the runner's eventual path to the base. This rule prohibits that.

A great example of a catcher obstructing the runner's path without the baseball. Note the red highlighted part in the Comment above. In your judgment, do you feel the runner would have, without a doubt, been out even if the catcher had received the ball outside of the runner's base path and then applied a tag to him? These umpires say, no, the catcher has obstructed the runner. It's hard to see in the video, but after a conference with the other umpire, the plate umpire signals with a "safe" sign. Always be demonstrative with your final "safe" call, spreading your arms wide.

We highlighted two portions of the rule above because they directly contradict each other at first glance. But a common theme of the Comments in the rulebook is that they clear up confusion about a rule and/or provide stipulations. These are professional umpires consulting with professional replay officials, and an out is called. It just feels like this "play at the plate" rule breeds controversy because it boils down to being entirely a judgment call, and depending on who's looking at the monitor for MLB on any given night, the call might be different. It's just too inconsistent, and it's what has made this rule so confusing when it really doesn't have to be.

In this high-school game, the umpire determines the catcher's positioning in the base path without the ball forced the runner to alter his path and calls obstruction. (No audio)

In the same game (!) as the previous video, it looks like the catcher stays out of the base path and then moves into the base path when receiving the throw from first base. The runner decides to initiate contact with the defenseless catcher and is immediately ejected. In NFHS (high school) rules, this is malicious contact, and even if the catcher was obstructing the runner, the runner would still be called out for the malicious contact and is not awarded home. (No audio)

TIPS FOR UMPIRES

When you see a play at the plate developing, you get an idea for where the ball is being thrown from, and then your eyes move to the catcher. Is he setting up in the base path?
Most importantly, if the catcher is in the base path without the baseball and an eventual tag is made after he receives the throw -- in your judgment, did his positioning in the base path without the baseball affect the runner's ability to score? Did the throw beat the runner by so much that the catcher's positioning did not matter? This is a judgment call.

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