Quote:
Originally posted by U of M Sam
Runner is either "out" or "safe" (no ties).
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We know that. No one says otherwise. No one proposes a possible call other than "out" or "safe." Nor do we need to get metaphysical about the matter and concern ourselves with the speeds of light and sound. We look and listen. At some point, the "bang-bang" can merge to "BANG." We simply cannot sort out what happened first. Doesn't matter whether the sorting threshhold is .04 seconds, or more, or less. That, like it or not, is a tie.
The real question is, having observed a tie, do you call "out" or "safe?" As jesmael points out, the rules have no problem with the concept of a tie. To the contrary, they provide specific guidance when to call "out" or "safe" no matter what happens. Unfortunately, the burden is different at first base (throw must beat the runner) than at the others (runner must beat the throw). That doesn't make the rules in error. It may be puzzling but it is not unmanageable.
[Edited by ChapJim on Jun 13th, 2005 at 02:32 PM]