[TwoBits]

Got my USSSA book right here.

USSSA Rule 8.04D: Whenever a tag play is evident, runners must slide, go around or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Attempting to jump, leap, or dive over a the fielder and/or catcher is not an act of avoiding contact. Malicious contact shall supersede all obstruction penalties. PENALTY: Runner shall be called out and may be ejected from the game at the umpres discretion. COMMENT: When enforcing this rule, the umpire should judge the runner's intent. If the umpire adjudges that the contact was unintentional, then the runer shall only be called out. If the umpire adjudges that the contact was intentional and/or malicious, then the runner shall be called out and ejected from the game.

The key to this rule, as Rufus has already mentioned, is umpire's judgement. Did he feel the contact was intentional or malicious? If he does, then he can eject.

In response to your other question, other rule gaffes I see players (and coaches) at this level make are:

-Failure to pause in the set position
-Thinking the baseline belongs to the runner and they are allowed to contact a fielder even when they are making a play on a batted ball
-Sending stealing runners back to their bases at the time of pitch on foul-tips because they think its a dead ball
-And this one is on coaches: MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND USSSA PITCHING LIMITATIONS! Review the three column chart in USSSA Rule 8.05, and don't cost your team a victory because you throw a pitcher too many innings. I see it happen at least once a year.