Quote:
Originally Posted by bob jenkins
In OBR, read 2-Tag. Note the different requirements for tagging a runner and tagging a base.
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That's a distinction I have made once in my career. 18u travel ball. One team was unbelievably good and the other was not. The good team was up by about twenty early in the game and was showing up the other team at every opportunity. There was nothing that crossed the line and warranted ejection, but it was a poor display of sportsmanship.
The bad team finally got a runner on first with two outs. The next batter hit a ground ball to the shortstop. He literally prissed (skipping with his hands at shoulder level and limp wrists) to the base, bent at the waist, and touched the bag with the ball. I called the runner safe. I would love to say they got the message and the game ended with no further incidents, but I cannot remember how it went after that. I do know there were no ejections.
Now as a practical ruling, if a kid is not trying to show up his opponent, I am going to have an out every time. I am sure the tip of his pinkie grazed the bag when he touched it with the ball.