That may be the word definition, but malicious contact in the rule book does also account for a level of clumsiness/lack of rule understanding/poor decision making, etc.
Not sure why you say Are you kidding--I didn't see the pics? My DD plays catcher so I am "Pro Catcher-No trucking" kind of dad. DD was playing SS vs ETBU last year. Grounder hit to her at SS, Runner going from 2B to 3B literally blindside tackled her before the ball got to her. Busted up her lower back pretty good. From my vantage point on the hill in CF (pattar would love this spot) it was malicious and totally avoidable. Yeah I was hot. Bottom line. If a collision is avoidable, you avoid it. If the ball gets there way before the runner and it's pretty obvious a tag out is imminent, you(Runner) give up or try to squirt around the tag. No need to barrel over the fielder. If the catcher has enough time and the runner is flying down the line, self preservation comes to mind. Finesse the play with a swipe tag ready to throw the next runner out. And yes there is a certain clumsiness at the younger ages. This is the reason many rec leagues have a "slide at home" rule.
Lol..I usually roam from LF to RF with an occasional drive by to the stands to make sure my boys are not causing too much havoc..
SS's feet work for the most part are better than most catchers (generalization). Infielders swipe tag then show the ump the ball in the glove all the time. I teach this type of tagging vs sitting there like a statue and taking the brunt of slide. Picture 3B with left foot inside the bag on a steal. C throws the ball and 3b swipe tag. Some coaches teach straddle the bag. This opens the players up for injuries.
There is a big bell on that hill. Supposed to be rung for the home team. My DD hit a bomb and guess what I did? I rang that damn bell!!! I have video somewhere. lol.
Catcher had the ball when runner was ~2/3 to home; she was essentially standing there waiting. The runner noticed that, paused for a split second, then made the decision to continue toward home plate with the collision the result.
I think we can agree that the runner should not have done that. If I am the catcher and I see a locomotive come my way, I simply step aside to avoid the collision and make the tag. At this age, the probably don't quite understand that skill set, but hopefully she does now.
You're simply describing proper tag work on the part of the fielder and assumes the runner is going to act "normal" and slide/dive into the bag and not come in trying to bowl over the defender. That seems to be a separate issue from the the one being discussed.
