spirit of the rule versus letter of the rule...runner misses home plate on a banger and there's also no tag. That's a tag play. period That's the interpretation.

That's whose interpretation? Are you the last word of all interps? Give a source. I cited an NCAA black letter written rule for an NCAA question.

Bases loaded, throw to the plate, runner from 3b misses the plate. I say tag the plate with the ball in hand for an out. You say a tag is necessary. Show me something I can look up. Period.