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Unsportsmanlike conduct for malicious contact
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Guest Coach Jay
Last evening our opponent’s baserunner stole home on a walk. It was actually pretty ingenious - runners on 1st and 3rd, batter walked, runner on 3B came trotting in. In hindsight, the fact that the runner on 1B didn’t steal 2nd should’ve tipped me off that they were planning something.
My catcher realized immediately and called for the ball back. The runner from 3B then sprinted as my catcher was in the process of making the catch. The runner slid HARD straight into my catcher’s leg, knocking him sideways hard and causing him drop the ball. He then reached back with his right arm and tagged home. Runner was called safe (and the umpire laughed at what I think he thought was impressiveness).
The home plate umpire said it was a legit slide because “there’s no Chase Utley rule in Little League.”
I’m aware there is technically no malicious contact rule, but I feel as though this should be handled under “unsportsmanlike conduct.”
The irony is that this particular player NEVER slides. It’s like an ongoing joke. Then the first time he actually slides... he takes out my catcher.
Should the runner stealing home been called out?
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beerguy55
Well, it's a legal tag too, so they should just suck it up, right?
beerguy55
Well, a good hard slide into the catcher's legs isn't malicious contact. Not to mention you have a potential issue of Obstruction, with the catcher blocking the plate before he possessed the ball
umpstu
Can always count on you to give me a chuckle. After Mizzou's game yesterday I needed that. Thanks, Rich.
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