Running into catcher/UC ejection

[DBrady]

I've been looking at old threads to get a feel as how to most officials will determine the need for an ejection. There was good discussions in 2006 & 2007 ... have things changed to more fully protect the catcher since then. Can I get some input?

The situation that makes me ask occurred as follows (under Fed rules):

Team One (U14) has bases loaded and ball is hit softly to right side of pitcher. Bad throw home so the catcher has to adjust for a tag rather than the force. The Runners right foot is on the ground before the tag, runners left foot clears the bat that is on the ground in the base line, tag is applied, runners left foot hits the plate, catcher is leaning (off balance), runner does not slow at any time (except the slight adjustment to avoid the bat and step on the left side of the plate) and catcher is hit fairly hard (runners stomach and right arm against catchers shoulder and head) and catcher is spun around 180 degrees; neither runner nor catcher hit the ground.

The immediate call is out and ejection. The reasoning is that she did not try to avoid contact. Both coaches thought she should stay in the game. Neither coach has knowledge of the rule as explicitly written. Plate ump is not convinced but agrees to let her stay in the game to pacify the coaches. (base umpire was a no show ... as is somewhat typical for this league).