tag play at home-catcher in baseline question

[Larry]

Originally posted by DG
I coached for about 12 years and started umpiring also during that time. I always told my players to try to go around a catcher who is up the third base line to receive a throw. For a catcher at the plate, slide. If you touch him while he is up the line receiving the ball you could be called out for interference. If he does not have the ball and you go around him you could either reach home safely, or the umpire could rule obstruction (more likely) in which case you will be awarded home. Running into a catcher can get you ejected, if deemed malicious, and you can also get hurt because catchers are well equipped for collisions.

DG, I like your answer but, can the catcher block the base line or any defense player when the defensive player does'nt have the ball.