Originally Posted by
JGordon
Doesn't the same apply at home? The catcher didn't have the ball and blocked him from tagging home, thus meaning he should be safe no matter what, correct?
this rule is out the window at home plate.
The catcher has the right to protect the plate. The base runner has the right to the basepath.
The catcher must also hold onto possession of the ball during and after the tag. This is why collisions happen so frequently, because the baserunner is trying to jar the ball out of the catcher's mit. By doing so, he'll be safe when touching the plate.