My friends and I are having a small argument and hopefully you guys can help. We were watching a MLB game on Sunday and there was a passed ball where a runner was tagged out at the plate by the pitcher. My friend asked "What if the runner ran over the pitcher like runners do catchers." I feel that the runner would be either ejected and or fined for such an act. I feel its is one of those "unwritten rules," but I am curious to see what the rule book would say and if anyone has had this happen, what they did.

Q: Can a runner bowl over the pitcher if he is covering home?

OBR
 

under MLB rules it would be legal, but incredibly stupid. The next batter would probably be beaned by the pitcher.

In most leagues that involve kids, the runner is ejected and possibly out. The next batter is still probably going to get beaned.

Re: OBR
 

I agree that it is an "unwritten" thing and one that would definetly cause a beanball war to get going.

In Fediration it states that the runner must avoid contact or in other words slide or try to move around and catch the plate on the fall.

YES!
 

Since you asked about MLB, yes he can.

Would he? Probably not

Has it ever happend? Probably not since Ty Cobb quit playing. He was known for playing dirty.

Remember what happened to the guy who messed with Nolan Ryan a few years ago ....

thanks
David