The biggest most irritating thing I found when I used to ump (up to the AA level) was the fact that in every level below AA they call the rule, ie, no hitting the catcher, it\'s his base, just like any other. But AA, AAA, and in the show they allow this infraction because the fans like it. Running the catcher is stupid, and should be eliminated, as should taking out the knees of a baseman on a double play (and the sweeping bag-tag that this has led to).
Oh, and just so there\'s no bullshit (from standard book of rules):
7.09:
It is interference by a batter or a runner when: ...
(f) Any batter or runner who has just been put out hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate; If the batter or a runner continues to advance after he has been put out, he shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders.
(g) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter runner because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner. ...
(h) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a batter runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead; the umpire shall call the batter runner out for interference and shall also call out the runner who had advanced closest to the home plate regardless where the double play might have been possible. In no event shall bases be run because of such interference. ...
(l) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball; ...
PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.
There are NO exceptions in the book for charging home plate, taking out the catcher, etc.
