In College Baseball, does the Catcher have to give the Runner a lane to the plate?

[Franisdaman]

Man, that collision between the Iowa runner & the IU catcher at the plate could have wrecked some bones and tendons. The IU catcher was sitting in the running lane, mishandled the throw, and the Iowa runner's foot hit the IU catcher's knee (I believe) before he scored.

In college baseball, is there a RULE where the catcher has to leave the running lane open (otherwise the runner could be ruled safe) and the RUNNER MUST AVOID contact (otherwise the runner could be ruled out)?

I know MLB has this rule because of the serious injuries that had resulted in the past.

 

[olderndirt]

Announcers said the catcher has to leave a running lane open. That is why there was no review.

 

[Franisdaman]

Announcers said the catcher has to leave a running lane open. That is why there was no review.

so, if the catcher was planted in the running lane and had fielded the ball cleanly at the moment the runner ran into him, is the runner safe, even if he is tagged out, as both the catcher and runner fall to the ground with torn ACL's?

 

[olderndirt]

I would say no. Although I'm not the official. 9 K's after 8.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

Hawks are not leaving town without a fight

 

[HawkAlum2002]

so, if the catcher was planted in the running lane and had fielded the ball cleanly at the moment the runner ran into him, is the runner safe, even if he is tagged out, as both the catcher and runner fall to the ground with torn ACL's?

Ten count, first one to their feet wins the call like Rocky 2.

 

[Franisdaman]

Ten count, first one to their feet wins the call like Rocky 2.

LOL!

maybe @funnyfletcher knows the rules?

 

[funnyfletcher]

LOL!

maybe @funnyfletcher knows the rules?

I don’t.

 

[Alum-Ni]

Catcher can't block the plate, however it is not considered blocking if the catcher is attempting to field a throw to home.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Catcher can't block the plate, however it is not considered blocking if the catcher is attempting to field a throw to home.

If that happens then game on with the base runner blowing up the catcher. I live by the rule if you are in the base path as a fielder, prepare to get taken out. Then hope another base is awarded due to interference.

 

[AuroraHawk]

Catcher can't block the plate, however it is not considered blocking if the catcher is attempting to field a throw to home.

Catcher cannot block the plate without the ball. He must leave a “path” to the plate for the base runner. However, the catcher can position himself immediately in front of the plate - leaving no path for the base runner to reach home plate - if he possesses the ball. Also, the catcher can end up blocking home plate if, in the process of fielding a ball or receiving a throw, the play requires him in that area. If the catcher blocks a path to home plate without the ball or not in the process of fielding a ball or receiving a throw and impedes a runner trying to score, the runner will be called safe.

Good explanation here: https://www.unitedumpires.org/pdf/Feb2018-Interpretation.pdf

What a base runner may do is more difficult. A base runner trying to score may not deviate from his path to initiate contact with a catcher. Thus, so long as a catcher has provided a path to home plate, a base runner must take that path and not attempt to initiate contact. College baseball follows the MLB Rule on this issue. What’s not particularly clear is what constitutes a legitimate effort to reach home plate if the catcher has the ball and is blocking the plate or if the catcher is blocking home plate in an effort to receive the ball. Sliding will be considered a legitimate scoring attempt. Lowering a shoulder, a roll block or pushing the catcher can be considered illegitimate efforts to reach home plate. It is left to ump’s discretion.

Given the focus on avoiding injuries at home plate, my “gut” tells me that any effort by a base runner to “bowl” his way through a catcher stands a good chance of being called out. A clean hard slide right at the plate is the runner’s sure fire way of ensuring that he won’t be called out for improperly trying to initiate contact with the catcher.

 

[AuroraHawk]

If that happens then game on with the base runner blowing up the catcher. I live by the rule if you are in the base path as a fielder, prepare to get taken out. Then hope another base is awarded due to interference.

You may live by that rule but it is not the rule in either MLB or NCAA. Base runners must try to avoid colliding with a fielder. There are exceptions which are deemed permissible or unavoidable contact but, even in those situations, “blowing up” the fielder can result in the player being ejected from the game.

Also, in those situations, I’m confident that the ball is considered “dead” and base runners must return to the previous base.

 

[AuroraHawk]

so, if the catcher was planted in the running lane and had fielded the ball cleanly at the moment the runner ran into him, is the runner safe, even if he is tagged out, as both the catcher and runner fall to the ground with torn ACL's?

Depends upon (a) did the catcher already have the ball; (b) did the catcher necessarily block the path in the process of receiving the ball and (c) how did the base runner initiate the contact.

 

[AuroraHawk]

Man, that collision between the Iowa runner & the IU catcher at the plate could have wrecked some bones and tendons. The IU catcher was sitting in the running lane, mishandled the throw, and the Iowa runner's foot hit the IU catcher's knee (I believe) before he scored.

In college baseball, is there a RULE where the catcher has to leave the running lane open (otherwise the runner could be ruled safe) and the RUNNER MUST AVOID contact (otherwise the runner could be ruled out)?

I know MLB has this rule because of the serious injuries that had resulted in the past.

In light of your post and questions, I went back and watched he replay. IMO, the play progressed exactly as envisioned by the rules. IU’s catcher was forced to try to field a throw which was on the outside of the third base line. The vast majority of his body was in foul territory as he attempted to field the ball. While his right foot/leg remained on/near the third base line, I don’t think that anyone could reasonably conclude that his body position wasn’t consistent with a legitimate attempt at receiving the throw.

Norman did exactly what he was supposed to do. Slide right into home plate and - if the catcher’s foot/leg happens to be in the path, then so be it.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

If that happens then game on with the base runner blowing up the catcher. I live by the rule if you are in the base path as a fielder, prepare to get taken out. Then hope another base is awarded due to interference.

In that case, it would be you that would be called out. The fielder has the right to make the play.