In a play where the catcher blocks home plate without the ball, what is the ruling?

When a catcher blocks home plate without having the ball, the ruling is obstruction. This is based on the principle that a defensive player must not impede the progress of a runner without possession of the ball. In this scenario, the catcher is in a position to obstruct the runner's path to the plate, and since the catcher does not have the ball, the obstruction rule applies.

Obstruction is intended to protect the runner's opportunity to advance and ensures that defensive players cannot hinder a runner's ability to score just by positioning themselves in a way that blocks the base they are trying to reach. When obstruction is called, it typically results in the runner being awarded the base they were trying to reach, which, in this case, would be home plate.

This situation is a clear violation of the rules governing fair play and runner safety on the field. The other options, such as interference or infield fly, do not apply in this context, as they pertain to different circumstances related to plays and runner interactions on the field.