Plowing over the catcher

[blueump]

Runners coming home from 3rd, in MLB, will freqently try to "run through" the catcher who is standing ready to make a tag. Freqently I see the catcher bracing for the impact by bringing both hands together in front on his body and lowering his own shoulder.

During these high impact collisions, the glove never seems to touch the runner, but the umpire making the call simply waits to determine if the catcher holds onto the ball.

My question is simple (I hope). Does the glove have to tag the runner in this case, or is body contact enough?

[Kaliix]

I've been reading this forum long enough to give you what I think your answer is going to be...

Of course the glove has to touch the runner, but......

Do you really want to have to toss the defensive coach who will undoubtedly go Ballistic/Postal/Beserk on your a$$ when you call the runner safe because you didn't see the catcher "tag" the runner even though there was a major collision at the plate, with bodies flying everywhere and the catcher holds onto the ball?

In 999 out of a 1000 cases, if there is a major collision and the catcher holds onto the ball, the runner is out unless you absolutely never saw the catcher tag the runner and even then, unless it was plainly obvious to the whole stadium, I don't think I would call the runner safe.

[jicecone]

Kallix, I agree. If EVER there was a "JUST DON'T GO THERE" decision to be made by an official, this would rank near the top. Who will help pull the the coach off of your shoulders? Most likely not your field umpire.

[LDUB]

Carl wrote about this on his free section. It is the same sitation, but it is the second baseman who gets plowed over. Here is the link. http://childress.officiating.com/?d=...I+Ever+Saw.pdf

It is under the neighborhood tag section.

[w_sohl]

Great story...