12U BabeRuth- Home plate collisoon

[Nick H]

I’m sure this is the most common area of questioning, but I need some help.

A runner is on third, a wild pitch is thrown. Runner advances towards home, catcher retrieves the ball. The catcher fully enters the baseline to block homeplate while having possession 1.5 steps in front of the runner. Runner does not have the ability to slide at this point and a collision occurs. Catcher goes down hard and drops the ball. The runner does not lower his shoulder, but raises his hands in front of him as if surprised that the catcher got in the baseline so close to him. It doesn’t appear to be a push, more of a defensive instinct. 
 

I know the catcher can block the plate as long as he has possession, which he does, but he blocks it so close to the runner (1.5 little league steps), it seems intended to cause a collision, rather than just applying the tag from the Iside.

Is this just a no-call situation, or are the raised hands enough to constitute malicious intent?

On the flip side, if the catcher had retained the ball, would the catchers actions constitute malicious intent stepping into the baseline so close to the runner?

I appreciate the advice!

 

 

[ArchAngel72]

You just described pretty much what I did in BR at 16 though.  

I was called safe as contact was allowed in BR at that time.

 

Now however I do not know their rule set Sorry.

 

[Richvee]

I’ve got a baseball play as described. If you’re convinced R3 put up his arms to brace for impact, I’m good. If the runner’s arms extend, shoulder lowered, it’s a different story. 

[The Man in Blue]

As described, I am with @Richvee . . . it isn't pretty and we don't want anybody getting hurt, but it's just a play that happens, particularly with younger and less experienced players.

You provide a decent level of detail, @Nick H, and that is why I am comfortable saying we have nothing.  It is the little things we look for.  Bracing for impact is a reaction, and that includes tucking, putting your hands up, etc.  What we look for is what else happens or does not happen.  As I said, tucking to brace is a normal reaction; unloading from that tuck is a problem.  Putting your hands up to protect yourself is a reaction; grabbing, swinging, pushing, etc. is a problem.

Typically, when this play happens, as an umpire I am hoping this is the end of the play, and I am getting in the middle ASAP to prevent it from escalating.  I am saying something along the lines of, "It was clean, are you guys OK?  You good runner?  You good catch?"  

[Jay R.]

I agree with the above on most levels of baseball.

I think in Little League this becomes a much closer play, depending on whether you judge that the runner attempted to go around the catcher, and whether the catcher was "waiting" to make the tag. As described my first reaction is that I would call the runner out but not eject, though I can see it going either way.

I don't think Babe Ruth has any similar language, scanning their rulebook.

If there's a local rule that puts the onus on the runner to "avoid contact" on tag plays, even if it's badly thought out, this is probably an out.  

[SeeingEyeDog]

Baseball is a contact sport. Not all contact is a violation. And in some situations or plays, we don't need contact to call a violation...(see hinder and or impede). As described, I also have a baseball play here. Signal safe and say neutrally, "That's nothing..." This is not a call that needs to be "sold".

~Dawg