[greymule]

Many softball players these days do not have much baseball experience and haven't learned the fine points and the "discipline" through thousands of hours of sandlot and other play. If you've played high-level baseball, you have to recognize this in your opponents (and teammates). For example, you can't simply bowl over any fielder who happens to be in your way.

I umpire a modified-pitch league in which the players range from former professional baseball players to Sunday picnic types. Do the former pros crash the catcher when he stands in the baseline and the ball isn't anywhere near? No.

A friend of mine still, 25 years later, has an obviously smashed eye from a throw from another friend of mine. Both were fine players. In fact, it was the same play described in this thread (unintentional on both their parts). The runner slid but didn't get far enough quite in time.