We had a first baseman who regularly used this routine. I also regularly called him on obstruction and numerous times had the same discussion with his manager.
I constantly pointed out how potentially unsafe it was not only for the runner but for him. (No one pulls this garbage when the players wear metal cleats!)
As the season came to a conclusion this now "All-Star" ended up in a cast. Why? He stuck out the foot, and the runner slid into the base feet first. So much for the season.
The solution ... metal cleats. The players will only do it once.
Brent
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