Can a baseball runner crash into a fielder?
A · Advanced · Running the bases · 5 of 9Not to knock the ball loose. A runner who tries to dislodge the ball from a fielder is out, and is ejected if the contact was malicious. At second base on a double play, a runner must make a genuine slide: on the ground before the base, able to reach it and stay on it, without changing path to hit the fielder.
How it works
- A bona fide slide: the runner touches the ground before the base, can and does try to reach the base with hand or foot and tries to stay on it.
- No change of path: the runner slides within reach of the base without changing direction to start contact.
- Not a slide: a roll block, or raising and kicking the leg above the fielder's knee, or throwing the arm or upper body.
- The penalty: both the runner and the batter-runner are out.
- Contact allowed: contact that results from a permissible slide is not interference.
- Collisions: the umpire judges whether it was avoidable and whether the runner was going for the base or for the ball.
- Above the waist: contact above the waist is judged an attempt to dislodge the ball.
- Trying to dislodge: the runner is out even if the fielder drops the ball.
- Malicious: out and ejected. If the runner was safe on an obstruction, they are still ejected.
- A blocked path: if the fielder with the ball blocks the way, the runner may slide into or make contact in a real attempt to reach the base.
- Without the ball: a fielder who blocks the plate or line without the ball is guilty of obstruction.
The glossary has the interference entry, the obstruction entry, the double play, the catcher, the base runner and the tag out.
Tricky cases
A runner slides late and past second base, taking out the shortstop's legs to stop the throw to first. What is the call?
Interference. The slide was not bona fide, and both the runner and the batter-runner are out.
A runner makes a clean slide straight into the base and the fielder, standing on it, is knocked over. Interference?
No. Contact as a consequence of a permissible slide is not interference.
A runner lowers a shoulder into the catcher, who is holding the ball, and the ball comes loose. Safe?
No. A runner who attempts to dislodge the ball is out even if the fielder loses possession. If it was malicious, the runner is ejected.
The catcher has the ball and is blocking the plate. Must the runner stop?
No. The runner may slide into or make contact with the fielder, as long as it is a legitimate attempt to reach the plate.
Why the rule exists
The rule book says the WBSC "is concerned about unnecessary and violent collisions", mainly with the catcher at home plate and with infielders at the bases. The old way of breaking up a double play, by sliding late into the fielder's legs, injured players. The rule now asks whether the runner was trying to reach the base.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Force play at a base | Bona fide slide required | WBSC Baseball Rule 10.6 |
| Fielder holding the ball | Collision rule: no attempt to dislodge | WBSC Baseball Rule 12.8.1 |
| Fielder without the ball blocking | Obstruction | WBSC Baseball Rule 12.8.2 |
| Under 12 | No head-first slides into home plate | WBSC Baseball Appendix 1, A1.5.3 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Rules 6.30, 10.6 and 12.8, and Appendix 1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).