quote:
Originally posted by PeteBooth:
I'm not trying to be argumentataive and refuse to accept published opinions but IMO we need more than Harry Wendelstedt and Chris Jones's opinions on this particular issue.
Pete Booth
I have to agree with Mark. But you state the case poorly, Pete.
The play from
Baseball America that Harry "passed on" is merely authoritative opinion. It gets the same weight given Jim Evans or the J/R.
But Chris's ruling from the PBUC is not "opinion"; it's official. You have to get that fixed in your mind. When the PBUC issues a statement about a rule, that is the official ruling regarding all professional umpires except those in the major leagues, and they must have specific instructions to the contrary or they, too, follow that ruling.
Here's what you have to believe, Pete:
Sometime that play happened in the major leagues, and that's why it showed up in the book. Harry agreed with their answer because that's what the MLU did when the play occurred.
"Case book plays" never go unremarked by professional interpreters. Consequently, when Jim Booth asked that fateful question about a runner returning from the dugout to touch the plate, Cris delved into the files and found precedent.
Look, when a situation is crystal, whether we like it or not, it is incumbant upon us as officials to follow the rules.
Pete: Why is it three strikes but four balls?
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Papa C
Editor, eUmpire