They just made the rule far more complex that it needs to be. They should have taken the NCAA collision rule and used it. It's worked for years with little or no controversy.
Bill - Jim and others OK, why do authors of websites consider themselves experts at this Home Plate fiasco. Jim said they should have adopted the NCAA version and I agree. Below read the sissified version.
* Adult CoEd softball paints a perpendicular line X amount of feet from home plate. I still say these goofy suggestions are BECAUSE weekend warriors cannot Run, Catch nor Throw!
* In fact I have stated before that the HS slide/no slide gizmo exists MAINLY because in the last 20 years middle infielders have no clue on how to play their postitons, especially getting to the bag on time, setting up too far away in DP position etc.
I just think the rule writers made it too complicated. Most of the injuries I've seen at home result from the runner crashing into the catcher and most would be considered "malicious" in NFHS or violate the NCAA collision rule. You're going to have train wrecks, but it's runners coming into home intentionally trying to dislodge the ball that were the real problem. Both NFHS and NCAA have rules that deal with those situations and they've worked for years.
The "commit line" suggestion is the dumbest thing I've seen since the 45 degree line for a LHP throwing to first base. We all know how well that worked out.