CAN A SHORTSTOP KICK DIRT ON BASE RUNNERS SHOES

by RONALD BURKER
(SHARPSBURG, MD)

Anonymous asked: JUST A GRANDFATHER WHO DISAGREES WITH KICKING DIRT ON ONE ANOTHER.

Rick answered: Thank you for your question.

There are rules pertaining to unsportsmanlike conduct, which your situation could fall under.

Umpires would have to determine that what was taking place was either a danger or hindrance to the base runner.

In this day and age, most shortstops pound their gloves attempting to make the runner realize they are close. Some shuffle their feet for the noise factor, I haven't seen one consciously kick dirt at or onto a runners shoes.

Because I haven't seen it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist however.

Umpires would have the judgement call on whether the action was so blatant that it fell into an un-sportsmanship category, being something that created a disadvantage to the runner.

Yours in baseball,

Rick