What is the penalty for malicious contact by a fielder on a baserunner?

When a fielder engages in malicious contact with a baserunner, it is treated as a serious violation of the rules of the game. The penalty for such behavior is meant to maintain player safety and discipline on the field. As a result, the appropriate response is to call an immediate dead ball to halt the action and to eject the fielder responsible for the malicious act.

This reflects the seriousness of the infraction and serves as a deterrent against future instances of malicious behavior. Ensuring player safety is paramount, and removing the offending player from the game underscores how unacceptable such conduct is. Thus, the penalty for malicious contact correctly includes both immediate cessation of play and the ejection of the fielder.