The zen of rule 7.13

“The obstacle is the path.”
― Zen Proverb

“The paths that lead to great treasures aren't void of great dangers.”
― Constance Chuks Friday

The Pathway Home

Zen and OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULE 7.13

A runner attempting to score

may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate

in order to initiate contact with the catcher

(or other player covering home plate).

If, in the judgment of the Umpire,

a runner attempting to score

initiates contact with the catcher

(or other player covering home plate)

in such a manner,

the Umpire shall declare the runner out

(even if the player covering home plate loses possession of the ball).

In such circumstances,

the Umpire shall call the ball dead,

and all other base runners

shall return to the last base

touched at the time of the collision.

The failure by the runner

to make an effort to touch the plate,

the runner's lowering of the shoulder,

or the runner's pushing through

with his hands, elbows or arms,

would support a determination

that the runner deviated from the pathway

in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of Rule 7.13.

If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner,

he shall not be adjudged to have violated Rule 7.13.

A slide shall be deemed appropriate,

in the case of a feet first slide,

if the runner's buttocks and legs

should hit the ground

before contact with the catcher.

In the case of a head first slide,

a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately

if his body should hit the ground

before contact with the catcher.

Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball,

the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner

as he is attempting to score.

If, in the judgment of the Umpire,

the catcher without possession of the ball

blocks the pathway of the runner,

the Umpire shall call or signal the runner safe.

Notwithstanding the above,

it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 7.13

if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner

in order to field a throw,

and the Umpire determines

that the catcher could not have fielded the ball

without blocking the pathway of the runner

and that contact with the runner was unavoidable.