Random baserunning question....

Over the past few weeks, I've noticed a few guys "running over the catcher" at plays at the plate.

I guess my question is this:  why is this legal?

I can understand  if he didn't have the ball and was blocking the baseline, then yes, you could run him over.  But if he's got the ball and is standing there, how is it legal to just ram into him to try an jostle the ball loose?  And if it is legal, why don't players do it at every base?

I know its off topic, its just been bothering me.....

Somewhere around this vast world of ours, Ray Fosse is asking that same exact question.  Don't know.  I always figured if the catcher is blocking your attempt to score with his equipment on then you have every right to knock him off the plate to score.  Now I never really understood breaking up double plays by taking a five mile slide into some dudes kneecap area to get some 2nd baseman or Shortstop. 

Yeah, but in the case of the double play, they have to slide to get out of the way of the throw (its illegal to intentionally get in the way of a throw), so the take out slide is almost a necessity (and if there is a bobble, they have to be able to stop on the base. 

Furthermore, if they go out of their way to take them out, the runner at first can be called out.  And I've seen this happen quite a few times.

ALthough, I guess my question is, why not just run that second baseman over?  Or on a steal attempt where its clear that you are out, why not just try to take the guy out?  If its okay at home, why not at second?

"ALthough, I guess my question is, why not just run that second baseman over?  Or on a steal attempt where its clear that you are out, why not just try to take the guy out?  If its okay at home, why not at second?"

Hmm, you do bring up a very good question.  I've always felt if a defender is blocking your progress to advance to a base or score then the runner under rules has the right to jar the ball loose.  It's only fair, right?  I think it's seen more as taboo to run over a guy (2B, SS, 3B) who's unprotected as opposed to it being okay to run over a guy with protective gear (catcher).  Even though both fall under the same category.  I remember when everyone had a heart attack when Albert Belle gave Fernando Vina the forearm shiver even though Vina was clearly blocking the base paths.

And A-Rod knocked the arm of the guy trying to tag him and he was called out.

Furthermore, I KNOW that if  a baserunner runs into a player trying to field a ball, regardless of if he's in the baseline or not, the runner is out.

...its just puzzling to me that they allow it at home.  Especially since they know that injuries do happen.

Touche!! Touche!!  I failed to remember the A-Rod vs. Bronson Arroyo fiasco in the Great Collapse of '04.  In all the lower levels of baseball (Little League, College, American Legion, etc.), it's actually illegal to run over the catcher whereas the Majors and the Minors it's an accepted trade.  It's really a play that makes no sense.  I can only assume since the early days of baseball, it was one of those accepted hard nose plays in baseball.  An unofficial rule of baseball.

Don't hold me to it fellas, but I believe the runner has the right to a base as long as he taking a direct path to the base.  So, if the catcher is not blocking the baseline, the runner cannot attempt to dislodge the ball.  But, that line has 3 foot variance in either direction.  Basically, like the double play issue, a player has to still be able to reach the plate/base in any attempt to avoid a tag, dislodge the ball, or disrupt a throw.  

Think about the force plays at the plate where the runner is allowed to slide well away from the plat