|
Sorry I don't know the players or teams involved a couple of years ago, but there was a play with a runner coming from first and F4 was going to tag the runner and throw to first. The runner threw a forearm into F4, flattening him. Nothing was said, no fines were levied. MLB has apparently discided that during a legal tag, all is fair.
There is one other thing to note though...
The play above, and the typical catcher getting bowled over play, are "tag" situations. The ball must be controlled during the tag.
The play at first was a force. (Okay, let's not discuss the "technically it's not a force at first" aspect right now.) What I'm getting at is that the instance F3 had control of the ball and was touching the bag, at that exact moment in time, the runner was out. So if the fielder was bowled over afterwards, then he has no onus to maintain control of the ball. I think it was the improper call.
As for the plate umpire ruling immediately that there was a running lane violation, I agree that was proper procedure.
__________________
Dan
|