sliding on home

Question
do you have to slide on home if the catcher does not have the ball its in play my 8 yr old got out last night his foot was on the bag before the catcher got there and he got called out i ask why and they said cause he didnt slide on home.

Answer
Donna: Thank you for your question.

I have not been able to locate any rule which requires a player to slide at home plate, if there is no play involved.

The slide rule is to prevent runners from colliding with the catcher, which can easily lead to injury for one or both players.  If the catcher does not have the ball and no play is being made, the runner should be able to stand up.

I am unclear about where you said your son's foot was on the bag before the catcher got there.  If the catcher was getting there with the ball and the play was close at that point, it is possible the umpire could have felt the play was close enough to require a slide.

Yours in baseball,

Rick