Runner coliding with Catcher While Fielding a Thrown Ball

[Atl Blue]

"But so is the plowing by the runner, an act banned in some way in most amatuer leagues."

However, this would be legal in the MLB.


Jeremiah:

That was exactly my point, plowing the catcher is legal in MLB (within reason), but banned in most amatuer leagues.

That is the reason the MLB catchers get more lattitude in blocking the plate without an OBS call than do amatuer catchers. In MLB where the collisions are accepted, the umps let the catchers set up blocking the plate if the ball is in the infield on a direct line to the catcher. In most amatuer leagues, even those playing by OBR, the ball is going to have to be MUCH closer for the catcher to be considered in the act of fielding.