The runner has as much right to the plate as the fielder. Looks like a good play to me and is within the rules. This is the NCAA rule below. The catcher has to "clearly" have possesion, (which he did not) and the contact has to be flagrant (which it was not) to be an automatic out.
Collision Rule
SECTION 7. The rules committee is concerned about unnecessary and
violent collisions with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all
bases. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive
players to avoid such collisions whenever possible.
a. When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">clearly is</span><br style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">in possession of the ball</span>, the umpire shall judge:
(1) Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner
have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner’s
path to the base was blocked);
(2) Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate)
or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder; or
(3) Whether the runner was using flagrant contact to maliciously
dislodge the ball.
PENALTY—If the runner attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall
be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the
ball. The ball is dead and all other base runners shall return
to the last base touched at the time of the interference.
<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">A.R. 1—If the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner</span><br style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">may make contact, slide into, or collide with a fielder as long as the runner is making a</span><br style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate.</span>
A.R. 2—If the flagrant or malicious contact by the runner was before the runner’s
touching the plate, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest. The
ball shall be declared dead immediately. All other base runners shall return to the bases
they occupied at the time of the pitch.
A.R. 3—If the contact was after a preceding runner had touched home plate, the
preceding runner will be ruled safe, the ball becomes dead immediately and all other base
runners will return to the base they had last touched before the contact.
A.R. 4—If the runner is safe and the collision is malicious, the runner shall be ruled safe
and ejected from the game. If this occurs at any base other than home, the offending team
may replace the runner.
b. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly
without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The umpire
shall point and call, “That’s obstruction.” The umpire shall let the play
continue until all play has ceased, call time and award any bases that are
RULE 8 / BASE RUNNING 103
justified in Rule 2. The obstructed runner is awarded at least one base
beyond the base last touched legally before the obstruction.
A.R.—If the base runner collides flagrantly, the runner shall be declared safe on the
obstruction, but will be ejected from the contest. The ball is
