[greymule]

I try to keep my guard up in uneventful games, since in the back of my mind is the thought that I'm always just one play or incident away from a riot.

Saturday, double elim SP tourney. Zero home run limit in that division. Tied 13-13 in the 6th, but a rather calm, good-natured game. Two on, two out. Batter slams a ball to deep left. F7 goes back to the fence, jumps up in an attempt to make the catch. Ball hits his glove, goes up in the air, and falls over the fence. Routine call. Four-base award.

Ten guys in my face. I tell them that not only is it the ASA rule, but in the one page of tourmanent rules they were given, that very play is given special emphasis.

They said they were aware of the rule, but it didn't apply in this case. Their reasoning: "That ball was going to go over anyway!"

They demanded a ruling from the tournament director. I doubt that they would have held to that demand, but he happened to be standing nearby talking on his cell phone. Of course, he backed up my ruling.

I believe these guys are all eligible to vote. Scary thought.