I recently ruled an ejection at the plate on the following NFHS play:
Quote:
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R1 at third is coming home on a short sac-fly. F2 receives the ball while R1 is still 6-8 feet from the plate. F2 has 'poor' position, almost behind the plate. She is half bent over to make a tag but R1 does not slide. R1 knocks F2 onto her back. F2 is laying in the left handed batter's box and drops the ball. R1's momentum causes her to fall on top of F2. R1 did not throw any type of forearm or punch.
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The director of the local association stated that if I felt it was malicious contact then the ejection was proper. However, at the same time he implied that I was too strict on this rule and that I was 'leading the state' in these type of ejections. I have three 'malacious contact' ejections in the last 10 years.
Since I have not received direction other than his remarks and implications, I thought I would do more research, including getting input from you folks. I would like to hear your opinions. This specific play was NFHS, but I would love input from other organizations also.
In the above play, I see this as excessive force that would warrent the ejection. I feel that R1 was not attempting to harm F2, but I feel she was using force excessively to cause F2 to drop the ball. The reason I note that I don't think "harm" was intended was that in a different "malicious contact" ejection two years ago, R1 bowled over F2 and F2 was in a neck brace for 3-4 weeks. I immediately ejected obviously before I knew the extent of the injuries. I was later told that in this case the offender did not have to sit out the next game as is the norm, because there was no ill intent. (R1 and F2 went to rival high schools, but were best friends. R1 was with F2 at the emergency room until 1:00 AM.)
This is HTBT, but what are your thoughts?