[blindzebra]

Originally posted by ysong

Bzebra, thanks. I believe you are right.
Even though I understand that rules are not perfect, but there should not be an inconsistency as big as I perceive it is. So I have to suspect that the English language plays a trick to me again.

Would you do me a favor again and, honestly, , tell me something: as a natural English speaker, when you read the part of the rule "the opponent bats the ball", do you naturally, automatically infer that not only the opponent bats the ball, he bats the ball "away" also? in other word, the word "bat" naturally implies "bat it away", unless stated otherwise?

thanks.

ysong [/B]

The rule book uses it several times in the dribble rules and only defines it as intentionally striking the ball with the hand(s).

Unfortunately they do not clearly state the results of this bat.

Under starting a dribble it means batting it to the floor.

Under ending a dribble we must look in the case book 4.15.4.F and it tells us away.

We only get a loss of control for an illegal second dribble. Most would interpret that as meaning out of A1's hands, although I've seen it argued that based on how bat is used in starting a dribble and 4.15.4.F that the bat must cause the ball to hit the floor.

You are not alone in your frustration with the language in the rule book. It's clear that much of the rule book causes confusion, otherwise this forum would not be so busy.