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ItÂ’s easier to apply a rule if you understand the rationale behind the rule. Picture a fielder set up low (i.e. catcher) just receiving the ball and ready to make a tag. Instead of sliding or going around, the runner decides to dive, hurdle, or leap completely over the defender. It's OK for a Tailback to hurdle his line into the end zone, but definitely a no-no for softball.
So it was outlawed. A few years ago the rules makers recognized that if the defender fell prone to the ground, the runner could step and jump over them at a minimal risk of injury. Thus the rule was modified to allow hurdling a player on the ground.
If your runner wasn't looking like a football player going over the top, or a high jumper trying to clear the bar, then this rule should not be applied to your situation.
WMB
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