Rockies Last Night?

First off, it was one of the alltime great games. Rockies just refused to lose.
However, the play at the plate at the end got me thinking about one of my pet peeves. Just how far can a catcher go to block the plate without the ball? Where do you draw the line? How about if a catcher just tackles a player halfway down the line so the cutoff man can just walk over and tag him. How about the first baseman just drop down and put a flying body block on the guy before he reaches home. I know this sounds extreme, but if you can block the plate without the ball, what rule actually keeps a defender from physically defending that plate?

 

tough as nails

In the major leagues you can block the plate basically all you want at your own risk, just ask Ray Fosse, cause if the runner wants to he can pull a Pete Rose.

in the lower levels you cannot block a base without the ball or you will be called for obstruction.

 

So why didn't the Padres pitcher and 1st baseman in that do-or-die situation just attack the runner before he could reach home? I am trying to find a boundary here somewhere.

 

As a life long Red Sox fan you are hurting my feelings. I see no mention of the Sox on this thread other than the legue they are in.