[SAump]

1) WINDIES, Why is a large group of more-experienced individuals selling the call at the NCAA level and higher in the first place? Do they not like the wording in the original PBUC rulings (See NFump page 1)? Were they told by some authority to line part of it out of their rulebooks or something? Do they feel jittery about enforcement? Something is not quite right about this issue.

2) 'BAMA BOYS, if a large group of more-experienced individuals is already selling the call on the obvious interference without regard to the written rule; why don't YOU change the rules to agree with the group? It sounds easy enough and it wouldn't be the first time. You already made the change (twice) for the idiot who called a FLY OUT, a FOUL BALL.

3) CASEWRITERS, an edit to "inside the batter's box" and NOT as written "several steps toward first" could be written quite easily. Pick the interp that agrees with either one of DG's or Bob's explanations. Then the group could stop selling the call and we could all agree on what the right call to make would be.

4) Union BOSS, you could remove the word (un)-intentionally from the definition of interference. Some of the umps already have and it might actually end this controversy, as well. It would give 1-3 above a basis for their decisions; other than
RULE 9-?-A An umpire may rule on any call not covered by these rules.
RULE 9-?-B An umpire may rule on any call covered by these rules, and change the penalties he may not understand or agree with to bail out the defense when wronged.

5) COACH, your catcher tried to lodge the ball unsuccessfully into a flying bat. As a result, the runner on third is awarded home and the batter-runner is awarded first base. The RULEBOOK awards an UNEARNED RUN because your CATCHER GOT GREEDY! Stick to BASEBALL fundamentals. You put the ball back in the hands of the PITCHER and you NEVER risk a BAD THROW to THIRD BASE.

6) EVERYONE ELSE, did you notice how harsh the penalty is for the defense below. Contrary to the obvious, the PLATE umpire would now have to rule on the "lodged-ness" of the baseball and then notify everyone in the entire ballpark. Talk about judgment and BALLS.

2006 Baseball Rules Interpretations Release Date: 2/6/06
SITUATION 6: With runners on first and third and one out, the pitcher delivers a called strike that becomes lodged under the catcher’s chest protector. RULING: The ball is immediately dead. A strike is added to the batter’s count. The runner on third is awarded home and the runner on first is awarded second base. (8-3-3d, 8-3-5b, 5-1-1g-4)


7) Yes, WE could apply the original INTENDED ruling. All you need is judgment and BALLS, then make the simple call which is currently in the rule book.