This still seems to leave a grey area in the interpretation though.

 

I'll try to clear it up as best I understand it:

 

If the defender is lying down, he can be hurdled. If he is not lying down, he cannot be jumped over. Its my understanding that umpire experts have given interpretations saying that if the defender is lunging, as in this case, the runner can hurdle the defenders glove/arm.

 

It is never acceptable to hurdle or dive over a player that is not lying down and is in position to make a tag.

I'll try to clear it up as best I understand it:

 

If the defender is lying down, he can be hurdled. If he is not lying down, he cannot be jumped over. Its my understanding that umpire experts have given interpretations saying that if the defender is lunging, as in this case, the runner can hurdle the defenders glove/arm.

 

It is never acceptable to hurdle or dive over a player that is not lying down and is in position to make a tag.

 

 

Thanks cshs81 that does help with the interpretation, but still leaves me with the thought of why a runner can't hurdle a defender. It's just one of those strange rules of the game.

Thanks cshs81 that does help with the interpretation, but still leaves me with the thought of why a runner can't hurdle a defender. It's just one of those strange rules of the game.

 

All of the hurdling rules are safety related. They do not want to see someone busted in the chops with an upcoming knee or foot.

Makes sense from the safety related issue. I would not like to see anyone get hurt. Seems funny to me though that the catcher is still allowed to block the plate or go up the line but the runner has no right to do anything except to not get tagged. I think I said it earlier that the defense gets to have it both ways with this rule.