In light of the Phelps-Johjima collision and the conversation that followed, I wanted to quote umpire Zack Rebackoff, from his book “Tough Calls: An Illustrated Book of Official Baseball Rules” (which I highly enjoyed and recommend if you’re interested in the subject). In it, he talks about the history of the home plate collision, and how it affects enforcement:
Catchers have been getting away with little tricks since the game originated. After all, when the play is at the plate, anything goes…including blocking, hooking, neighborhood tags (tagging someone in the neighborhood of the base or body) and even so much as appearing to control loose balls after collisions. Let’s not forget that the steamrolling runner is capable of his own tactics, such as, but not limited to, bulldozing and kicking the ball loose. Therefore, the umpire must be a trifle more lenient when calling plays at home plate. The “dish” is the ultimate fortress for maximum defense, while the offense strives to break through and claim a run. To say anything goes would really not be absolutely correct, but may the feistiest man win.
In view of this slight leniency, it would be safe to assume that most umpires working home plate are not looking for obstruction to occur at the plate.
p. 125, emphasis in the original text
Rebackoff goes on to say that a large part of the problem is that umpires are focused on the sweep tag and the plate, and can’t watch for where a catcher can legally be positioned, and so on.
He also relates seeing one incident in a Midwest League game as a spectator. The catcher blocked entirely the runner coming home from third instead of fielding a late and wide throw, stopping the runner’s progress. That achieved, he went up the line and left to get the throw, and then tagged the (probably concussed) runner out.
No obstruction was called.
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