[GarthB]

I just got off the phone with a friend who is working the State Legion Championships. I related this thread to him and he related this:

Earlier today, a batter squared to bunt before the pitcher came set. He had one foot completely out of the box and on the ground. The pitcher came set and delivered. The batter layed down a great bunt and was safe at first.

The PU called him out for being out of the batter's box. The coach came out and complained. The PU told him he definately saw his foot out of the box and on the ground. The coach disagreed. The conversation got out of hand and the coach was ejected.

Kevin, my friend, was watching all this from behind the screen on on the firstbase side of the plate. What the PU didn't see while focusing on the pitch was that just prior to contact, the batter lifted his right foot off the ground and pushed off with his left foot . He was not "out of the batter's box by rule." But becuase the PU paid so much attention to his beginning stance and made a call based on that, he was ruled out and a coach was ejected.

The moral? Keep it simple. Perform the job that is expected of you most to the best of your ability. Keep your eyes on the pitch.

And with that, I bid you all a pleasant good evening. As much fun as this thread used to be, it has become tiring. I'll leave it to others to have the last word.