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Hmmmm,
"FED modifications usually come under one of three headings: Safety, increased particiation and speed-up."
Garth:
I have always intoned that there are FOUR reasons why FED develops rules:
1) Additional Participation Opportunities
2) Safety
3) Speed-up rules or what could be consider "Anti-slow play rules", and
4) "Dumb Umpire Rules"
DURs are developed because at any one time FED cannot trust the quality of umpires in a game. Much like Little League there are just too many games to be covered by umpires with equal abilities.
During the 1960's FED started a few major rule views that simply atttempted to take certain "difficult" decisions out of the hands of umpires and place them into the rules.
Since the Federation system has, with out much doubt, the best OFFICIAL book for interpretations (The Case Book) it makes certain things easier to identify as Case Rules rather than judgement issues.
I, along with PapaC, relished in the "old" Federation Appeal rule . . . that change was not a great change for games umpired by lower level umpires.
I think this rule follows that spirit. It is now written clearly and should be called as Federation desires.
We are faced with the "common knowledge" arena in almost ever game. My best example of that is when a fan starts getting on the PU when a pitcher goes to his mouth (and wipes off) at the FED level -- I hear constant harping about umpires not knowing the rules because "everyone knows you can't got to your mouth shile on the mound".
Carl:
And I agree with the changes, Evans and you (if that matters to anyone). At the Federation level there should NEVER be an differnece between Type A or Type B obstruction.
It should be left in the dirt.
While that determination and ruling can be made by an experienced, well trained umpire at any level when we deal with the multitude of inexperienced and questionable abilities of some High School level umpires we should simplify things.
We'll make it through this -- trust me!
Tee
[Edited by Tim C on Dec 20th, 2004 at 06:49 PM]
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