little league baseball/play at the plate

Question
Ball is coming into home plate.  Runner coming around third,as the ball comes in, it ricashades off catcher's shin guard,the ball is now three feet away from home plate toward the pitcher's mound, with no one having control of the ball.  As runner comes in runner does not slide.  Is runner out or safe?  

Answer
Don,

First, there is no "must slide" rule in baseball, PERIOD!(As an umpire, we try to squash myths!)  

The rule states that the runner can either slide or attempt to get around the fielder.  Since the catcher does not have the ball, he could be called for obstruction if the runner is impeded by him standing in the way.

Depending on whether or not there was obstruction, whether or not the runner tagged home, depends on whether the runner is out or safe.

I hope this has helped, should you have any other questions, please let me know!

-Martin Hoover