Quote:
Originally posted by harmbu
I do understand that this was just a game of young kids, but how can they be taught the game when the people calling the game have no idea what the rules are?
|
Unfortunately, it is the natural order of things. Young kids get ignorant umpires. If the umpires really did know the rules accurately, they'd be working teenagers, not 9 yearolds.
As the kids get older and better, so do the umpires, generally.
Here's Jim Booth's attempt to dispel this particular urban umpire legend:
The hands are part of a person's body. If a pitch hits the batter's hands the ball is dead; if he swung at the pitch, a strike is called (NOT a foul). If he was avoiding the pitch, he is awarded first base.
Rules: 2.00 PERSON, TOUCH, STRIKE (e) and 6.05(f)
Hope it helps.