Home Plate Collision

[IHSAIllini]

I'm thinking HTBT on this one, but I'll offer up my opinion based on the facts as you've presented them. This smells of obstruction by the fielder because of the cutoff. Since the fielder was not in the act of receiving or about to immediately receive the ball, they had no business being in front of the plate.

That said, the runner's stupid for not sliding, or otherwise attempting to avoid contact. Stupid, but protected by the rules.

Of course, I could be wrong - but I don't think so. (If I am, oh well.)

[Edited by IHSAIllini on Jun 25th, 2003 at 03:05 PM]