[Jim Porter]

Dave,

With all due respect to you and Jim Evans, I think you might be confusing official with authoritative - - just a bit.

Are Chris Jaksa and Rick Roder baseball rules authorities? By gum, yes they are! They're former rules instructors of a former Pro school. At least a few of the professional umpires working today were taught by those gentlemen.

Now, is their information official for any league, most of all pro baseball? No, and I think we all know that. I don't think anyone claims such a thing.

But that certainly does not lessen the value of Chris and Rick's book, nor does it automatically nullify their expertise with the rules of professional baseball.

I find most value with J/R when their opinions enhance and compliment, rather than contradict, Jim Evans' and the PBUC's material. There are very few places where direct contradictions exist. The enhancements are too good to be missed.

So, my old friend Dave, I must disagree with you. J/R is authoritative opnion, with a concession that it is official for no league.

And that's my take on that.