Quote:
Originally posted by Dakota
[Yeah, I almost agree, but I'm seeing more and more coached obstruction, not just incidental. I'm putting on my busybody hat and advocating clarifying the rule so all "those other guys" will call some of these obviously coached tactics, plus give me the option of awarding an advanced base in certain cases. USC / ejection is a bit draconian for a player continuing to drop the knee to block a runner in pick off situations, don't ya think?
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Not at all. Any time a player is being coached to perform an act which unnecessarily places either player in danger of injury is definitely unsportsmanlike conduct. That's why a mentioned a warning may handle the situation. When an umpire sees something like that, call the obstruction and when questioned, tell the coach in no uncertain terms that it looked intentional and you consider it USC which will result in the ejection of the player the next time you see it. Good chance the coach will be gone, too.
If I knew the parents, I might also ask them if, on the off chance of the umpire missing the obstruction and ruling the runner out, is worth their daughter's knee or leg. This type of injury can cause a lifetime of misery and I'm sure there are a few on the board which can attest to that.
And trust me, if you ever get them to allow you to add a base to the award as punitive, it won't last a year because anal folks like myself will have them circling the bases.