If the catcher is blocking the plate

[DG]

Originally posted by BBLover
On a play at home, and he does not have the ball or the ball is not on the way to him, what is the call if the runner takes out the catcher? (High School Level). Wha is the runner supposed to do, go around the catcher, slide into him?

When I used to coach I always taught the runners to try to slide, feet first, toward the back third of the plate (the pointy end), and also drag the left hand across the plate on the way by. The catcher either does not make the play, or we may get an obstruction call if he is truly blocking the plate, when he is not entitled to do so. And of course, when I coached the catchers on my team on when they could block the plate and how to do it I also told them they should be ready to tag someone who is sliding away from them trying to reach the back of the plate. What comes around goes around.