|
Dave,
Thanks for taking the time to type the inside cover. Although it is a little dated (2002), I would tend to believe that the rule in question here probably has not changed since then. However, if that is how the rule is stated in the MLB UMPIRE MANUAL PROCEDURES AND INTERPRETATIONS, then the Mariners may have a legitimate argument.
I thought the phrase you ended your post "Sometimes you have to not let the rules get in the way of doing the right thing" was an intersting one. I wonder if MLB agreed with your statement because they haven't yet done anything with the protest... or have they officially denied it???
Jim Evans talked about "defining moments" at umpire school - plays that stirred up a lot of conversation and sometimes, controversy. I think he called them defining moments because they make us look at the rules that govern the game and how they perhaps need to be changed to keep up with the changing ways of the game. This play, in my eyes, is a defining moment and atleast, calls for a change in the MLB Umpire Manual on how the penalty should be handled. Just my "amateur" opinion.
|