[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This past Saturday afternoon I was the PU for the second game of a boys' H.S. varsity DH; both schools are OhioHSAA (which uses NFHS Baseball Rules) Division IV (smallest enrollemt) schools. Top of the 2nd inning with one (1) out and runners on 1B and 3B.

R2 attempts to steal 2B in attempt to draw F2's throw to 2B so that R1 can score. F6 cuts off F2's throw and fires the ball back to F2 who has set up to tag R1 as he comes running hard toward HP. R1 lowers his upper body and strikes F2 in the middle of his chest with his left schoulder, knocking F2 off his feet and onto his back. R1 is out, and ejected for malicious contact.

Fast forward to Sunday evening and I am watching SportsCenter. Same play in the Tigers-Indians game earlier that afternoon. The Tigers runner is tagged out by the Indians catcher, but naturally there is no malicious contact rule in OBR/MLB.

MTD, Sr.