Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/29/2007

Question
My son is on first base 1 out next batter hits a base hit between 3/ss into left field. While my son is running full speed to second the ss is standing right next to 2nd base my son hits into the ss back while rounding second and in a LL all star game is ejected for a flagrant foul which means hes out that game and the next.If the ss is not playing the ball he must get out of the basepath of the runner my son hitting into him is not his fault. The kid did move wan't knock down or hurt and is at least a foot big than my son. Can i fight this call

Answer
Charlie,

The shortstop was in the baseline without the ball which is against the rules.  So, in the major leagues, your kid did nothing wrong.

However, many leagues have rules against initiating contact on the field.  I don't know what the league your son plays in does, but your son probably should have run around the shortstop.  Hopefully, the umpire would have seen him take the detour and would call obstruction and award him the base.

It really doesn't matter if no one is hurt on the outcome of the play - it should be called based on the rules and nothing else.

I'd check what your league policy is on contact on the field and make a decision to apeal based on that.

Hope this helps!

Brian