Running a Catcher Over

[TheSoftballZone]

What is the rule and opinion on running a catcher down? It use to be that contact was supposed to be avoided.
Now it seems the catcher is fair game and there is no requirement to slide.

Runners lower their shoulders cross their arms over their chest and run her down. If the catcher has the ball with plenty of time.... is the runner allowed now to run her over if she can?

 

[daboss]

Bretman will be involved soon for "legal" interpretation but the spirit of the game and it's rules were never meant to promote the Pete Rose mentality to score at all costs--------even at the risk of injury. The beer-drinking dirt-kicking fans of baseball see no problem with such actions. Almost as if it proves your manhood and you're expected to take them out. Hey Dads of the game, they're not guys out there. They are your daughters!!!!! The spirit of the game for women has been to steer away from such thinking but many dads just don't get it. Look who's been teaching the game? Dads with baseball backgrounds. Bret and others are going to school everyone out on the rules side of things so my point is to get the masses that believe they are right to change their outlook.

There is a proper way to teach girls this game and they need to get on board. Play with you head and you'll score more often. Nothing prettier than a creative slide around a catcher dressed like "Robocop" waiting to put your star player in the hospital.

 

[SMc4SMc]

@daboss... 100% Agree. The dad or coach pushing antiquated notions on scoring deserves a "Real Man of Genius" nomination. Go hard, be aggressive, attack attack attack, but play smart, and play safe.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Yeah she'd be out of the game..... Seen many umps call it and one reason mine used to keep her mask on during close plays........didn't affect her one bit.... With the lightweight masks today and vision they offer, there is no reason for catchers to toss them off.....

 

[Comp]

There is no such thing as a must slide rule in any normal rule set. Some rec organizations do institute must slide rules that really create more harm than good. No rule set allows you to run over anyone, including the catcher. I do not have rule numbers off the top of my head but if a defender is in posession of the ball and waiting to make a tag, the runner must give themselves up or slide to avoid contact. High school rules have reference to malicious contact and ejection. Under ASA it would just simply be unsportsmanlike conduct and ejection at the umpires discretion.

 

[wadad]

Funny you should mention the lowering the shoulder and crossing the arms then running the catcher over. Our catcher had the runner dead to rights on a play at home. Runner was at least 8 feet away. Instead of sliding at home the runner lowered her shoulder crossed her arms and launched our catcher at least 5 feet in the air backwards. Catcher holds onto the ball. The outfield ump in running in with all intentions of throwing her out. The home plate ump just shakes his head and calls the runner out. Not even a hint of intending to eject the runner. After the runner enters the dug out you can clearly hear the coach tell her "That's how you do it". Really ?? We couldn't believe what we just witnessed and heard.

 

[Tusksoftball]

Here's a twist to consider. If baserunners are going to be permitted to run over catchers, should the catcher go on the offensive instead?

 

[freddieball]

If the ball is clearly at home plate before a play at the plate then the runner should be conceding. An out is an out. There is no need to risk injury to anyone. Any runner attempting the bulldoze the catcher in the attempt of the catcher dropping the ball should be ejected for the rest of the tournament. There will always be contact at the plate on close plays sure. If my daughter pulled this (in which she never would) I would pull her from the game myself as her dad. Saw a girl purposely slide into a girl by going out of her way in Canton a couple of years ago and the fielder ended up with a broken leg and out the rest of the season. <following comments remove by admin >

 

[CARDS]

Here's a twist to consider. If baserunners are going to be permitted to run over catchers, should the catcher go on the offensive instead?

My DD learned how to use her gear at an early age. She was challenged many times over the years and came out ok because of the training.
Now one thing you struggle training for is pass balls or wild pitches. She was blown up in a HS game on a wild pitch that went to the backstop she retrieved the ball and the pitcher did not break so she made a dive to the plate the runner close to 200 lbs and she at 200lbs was one heck of a collision where the ball was knocked loose. The umpire stated the runner did not have to slide so the score counted.
It is part of the game. The catcher is your last line of defense. Part of the selection process for your catcher is, can the catcher be physical or take a hit...When they get to college they will be tested to see if they are a finesse catcher or a stopper both can do very well.