Runners are instructed to slide or attempt to avoid making contact with a fielder. A player who maliciously runs into another player is to be declared out (unless he/she has scored prior to committing the infraction) and is to be automatically ejected (whether or not declared out). Contact shall be considered malicious if: a) the contact is the result of intentional excessive force, and/or b) there is an intent to injure. Malicious contact is to be penalized whether committed by an offensive or defensive player. The umpire shall determine whether contact was avoidable or unavoidable - whether the runner was trying to reach the base/plate or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder. If the runner a) could have avoided the fielder and reached the base or b) attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner is out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other runners shall return to the last base legally occupied by them at the time of the contact. If the fielder blocks the base path, the runner may make contact, slide into or collide with the fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base/plate. If the collision is flagrant, the runner is called out and ejected. The ball is declared dead. If the defensive player blocked the base path clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe and a delayed dead ball is called. If the runner collides flagrantly, he/she shall be declared safe due to obstruction but shall be ejected. The ball is dead.