[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by cbfoulds

Don't disbelieve you Carl; however the law in most states sees a difference between "careless" and "inadvertent" in determining an individual's culpability for his/her acts. I do, too.

Did you forget to read ALL of the last paragraph of my post? I was not kidding, nor being cute with language: I have never seen a "carelessly" thrown bat on the 90' field. If I saw it, I believe I would call it [as I posted].

I have seen INTENTIONALLY thrown bats [& other items]; and have imposed the prescribed sanction. I have seen ACCIDENTALLY released bats, for which the rules prescribe no penalty or warning. I have even seen what I would characterise as INADVERTENTLY thrown bats, which neither caused nor threatened harm to anyone.

Just lucky, I guess.

Let me try once more: If you have seen a batter release a bat that then hit the catcher, according to the FED that is a carelessly thrown bat.

Frankly, I don't believe that's never occurred if you've called as many as five games played under NFHS rules.

I take it you're an attorney. The Law may distinguish between "inadvertent" and "careless," but people sensitive to language do not. The FED does not.

You're simply quibbling over the definition. "Inadvertent" and "careless" both signify this statement: "I didn't mean to do it, but it was my fault." That's the difference between "careless" and "accidental."

A bat that hits someone on a FED field is either: (a) carelessly thrown; or (b) deliberately thrown. Those are the only two possibilities defined in their rules.

What is so hard about that?

I'll answer that question: You'd rather not stir the sleeping giant known as "the coach who gets the warning." If you get sued because you didn't enforce a safety rule, hire another attorney. You know the old saying....