Men's church league game last night - ASA rules.

Bases loaded, 1 out. B4 hits a base hit to shallow right-center. R1 scores easily. R2 attempts to score. F2 has the plate partially blocked on a very close play. Throw arrives a fraction of a second ahead of the runner. Runner lowers his shoulder, and lands a big shot on the catcher, shoulder first on the side of the catcher's head. Ball comes loose. I call dead ball, call the runner out, and eject said runner for USC. Offensive coach goes nuts. R2 claims he meant to slide, but he tripped and fell forward, leading to the collision. My response is "if you don't slide, and there's a collision like that, you're done." Any thoughts? Did I react too harshly?

Thanks,
Charlie

FYI...the catcher stayed in the game, but I found out he later went to the hospital to have his left knee looked at. Torn meniscus, minor surgery required.

Correct call. It doesn't matter if the runner meant to slide. He didn't. That "crash rule" is there for everybody's safety. I'm a rookie and even I know that :)

If it was an honest mistake (doubt it), I'll bet you R2 doesn't ever make it again.

I would have made the exact same call you did.

Your description sez he lowered his shoulder - that's malicious, flagrant, whatever you want to call it. Your call was correct.

Intentional or not, he definitely lowered his shoulder. The catcher had crouched to receive the low throw, and he got the runner's shoulder in his face, so clearly the runner's shoulder was lower than normal.

I got some guff from my UIC after the game, because league rules include a mandatory suspension for any player ejected for USC. He said we're not supposed to be ejecting players willy-nilly for "incidental contact." He didn't even see the play!!! Anyway, I stood by my call, and I'm glad to hear that you agree.

Thanks for the feedback...

Charlie

I had a similar event this week. Called the out. The difference was the runner, who did not mean to cream the catcher, ejected himself. "If I'm going to hit guys like that I should not be playing." The runner was also very concerned about the catcher and apologized several times.

Your UIC should back you up when you make that totally correct call.

Bob

Ejection. No question.

Dito