Quote:
Originally Posted by BigUmp56
If you look closely at the clip and pause it just as the runner is over the plate, you'll see that the only thing that kept the pitcher from getting spiked is the toss from F2 forcing him to lift his glove at the last second. A runner doesn't jump two foot in the air, ten feet from the plate, and try to land on a fielders glove without malicious intent.
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If you're going to judge intent, the point in the clip that matters is the situation at the point the runner jumped. At the time of the jump, the ball is on the ground, the pitcher has just arrived at the plate, straddling it with his heels in the LH batter's box, and his glove is at waist height. The runner's landing point is short of the pitcher, and is actually on the third base half of the plate (front leg).
I see nothing more than youthful exuberance here. I do think the jump should be discouraged, because the runner has no control once he leaves the ground, but no rule is being broken.