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Intentional collisions are absolutely unacceptable - they must be avoided. Independent of where the ball is, or if the defense has it or anything about the ball...
Collisions should be avoided as reasonable. PERIOD.
Intentionally running into someone is never, never, never acceptable. I don't understand why some of us are not understanding this SIMPLE safety rule.
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I had a game this past weeked (10U ASA league championship game). R1 on 2B, 1 out. On base hit to outfield 3B coach sent R1 home. At this time I look at HP and see the catcher standing directly on top of it. Very little of the plate was exposed. I give DDB signal in anticipation of obstruction. As the ball came back in from the outfield, it went to the pitcher and never came to the catcher so there was no play at the plate (no longer obstruction at that point). The runner however did not slide and made no attempt at all to avoid contact in order to touch the plate. She put her arms up to her chest so as to protect herself and she ran square into the catcher, knocking her down on her backside. I call DB and rule the runner out for crash interference. I did not eject her from the game because she did not push the catcher down and at that age she probably didn't know any better. If she would have made any attempt at all to avoid, I would have allowed the run and talked to the defensive coach about where to position his catcher. My UIC and the TD both agreed with my ruling.
There has to be a consequence for crashing into players who do not have the ball. If there wasn't, it would happen all the time. Sometimes by our rulings we as umpires teach the young ones more about the game than some coaches. One thing is for sure. I'll bet from now on that catcher won't stand on top of the plate with out the ball and that runner won't knock a player over any more. (maybe)