the "bump" at first base

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

A question came up at a clinic that I thought I'd post here to get some thoughts.

We've all seen the lead-footed F3 who never seems to be able to get out of the way of the BR. And we most often call OBS when we see it.

After many bumps around 1B, batters are becoming frustrated with F3.

On a clean base hit to left field, BR is taking the path around 1B to touch the inside of the bag and make a move to 2B. While rounding, she's OBS by F3. But this time the BR pushes F3 out of the way. F3 may end up: a) taking a couple of steps to recover her balance; or b) a$$ over teakettle and on the ground.

So we have OBS to start. Do we have anything else?

I am going to go at this from an NFHS perspective. In both a) and b) I have nothing unless I deem the act to be malicious, in which I have an ejection (and likely another to follow when the coach gets tossed for arguing).

With that said, an umpire should be able to see the repeated nature of this act by F3. After the first couple times I would be warning F3 (as well as have been calling OBS each time). If it continued beyond the warning and got to the point where the offensive team is getting frustrated enough to push the defensive player, we may have an ejection on F3 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Remember, the rule doesn't limit what is considered unsportsmanlike, is only gives examples of what could be considered unsportsmanlike. If a player is committing repeated violations of the same rule, he/she is now acting in an unsportsmanlike manner.

One other thing to consider is the way the game is going. If this is obviously a clueless F3, who really doesn't know what is going on, he/she might get multiple explanations as to the rule requirements (as well as the coach). If this is a player who you can tell has experience and knows what she is doing, the expectation will be a lot higher.

I'm not out looking for a problem, but if I see a player making a problem, it will be addressed.