Infielders slapping glove behind runner

If I was calling that game, I would not make an obstruction call under that scenerio. If in my judgement the runner purposly ran into the fielder in the hopes of getting an obstruction called I wouldn't call it. Is the the correct answer? I don't know, but it's my answer.

That stuff seems a bit over the top for 10 year olds. IMHO, tell the baserunner to pay attention to the ball and the pitcher and ignore the shortstop. By being so concerned with the baserunner the shortstop is way out of position for fielding and the team on offense is gaining an advantage.

And no, you can't have the runner purposely run into the shortstop in the hopes of getting an obstruction call. He should just pay attention to the pitcher for a possible throw, and concentrate on good baserunning. If the shortstop gets in his way that's another story. Also, remember that an obstruction call doesn't automatically give the runner the next base, only where the ump judges the runner would have wound up had he not been obstructed.

Teams that get so caught up in this silly nonesense are usually lacking in fundamental baseball skills.

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SS comes up behind and is literally inches away from R2 slapping his glove in his ear.

In 10 U...I'd call time.......tell the shortstop to cut it out.......if the coach has an issue with that I'd tell him I feel that although the act is legal, the application so close to the runner is unsportsmanlike......and if it continues I will eject....

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Now this is 10U ball so the option of plunking the SS when he bats is not a good option.

Absolutely plunking the SS is not an option...In youth deliberately hitting a batter is is a quick ticket for the pitcher and coach to the parking lot.....

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If the SS was to the right or left can the runner simply run into/over the SS

again no, this is not an option. I will put it this way.....some preventitive umpiring at this level goes a long way to stopping these sort of tactics....

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Absolutely plunking the SS is not an option

Whew, I'll second that....but what happens out in the parking lot after the game, stays out in the parking lot, right? ( just a little joke )

It's important to teach players about sportsmanship at an early age!!